I have had depression for over 45 years, since I was a young teen. I was first given anti-depressants in addition to talk therapy in the early 80's -- and had an allergic reaction to every medication they tried. I soldiered on thru the years, sometimes in therapy, sometimes not, sometimes just pushing the depression aside by keeping too busy to let myself notice it. Sometimes having really, really dark periods.
Tried med's on and off, most recently Wellbutrin - they kept upping the dose to no effect until one day a couple of years ago I just stopped it.
Mostly I manage by simply "not letting my mind go there", a form of "total mind control". I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but mostly I just stop thinking in depressing circles and go find something else to focus on. Usually that helps. Sometimes I have days I just sleep all day, but those are maybe twice a month.
Whatever else you focus on doesn't have to be exciting, it can be as simple as fixing a meal, going for a walk, talking with a friend, reading a book... Sometimes when I am tired of being depressed I just push it aside, like putting the old worn-out jacket in the closet and locking the door on it.
I wish meds worked better for me, but they just never have. And I wasn't too interested in the newest form of electro-magnetic therapy they suggested -- too much money and too much uncertainty as to whether it would really help.
I know my methods come off sounding like it's easy not to be depressed -- it isn't easy, and it definitely is brain chemistry, not an act of will. But what we do (eat, sleep, exercise) can influence brain chemistry just like the meds do.
Hang in there, you are definitely not alone.
Post Edited (Lynnwood) : 4/24/2016 2:18:39 PM (GMT-6)