depression...a powerful force

In my life depression creeps in at various times. It's a life-sucking symptom that makes you feel pain, pain, pain. So I have a little understanding of how to approach it. First of all, with depression it's easy to  not get the right perspective on things. For instance I'm in pain, and I feel terrible; thus we almost get captured and lost in a symptom which is only temporary (in my experience). It torments us, and we think we'll never get out of it, there is no point trying, sometimes no point living (we are worthless), and there is no point to anything. This is the thrust of depression, and it sucks.

Well first we've got to turn our minds to the idea that this will not last forever. Depression is incredibly powerful, and it can sway us into feeling stuck, and believing this will never end. Remember that it always gets better, and this too shall pass. Depression is incredibly powerful in it's ability to convince of things like the futility of doing anything (it won't get better). I sleep, and watch tv (laying down), and go to work and not talk and go through the motions. I know what it's like to fall into the trap, and I'm guilty of getting sucked into the idea that this terrible feeling will never pass.

Depression is like a temporary suspension in how you would normally feel about life. When you're in it you can't see out of it. It's terrible. When you're out of it, you can't believe how you felt when you were in it. It was not how you normally feel. (in my experience)

The other thing I would mention, and what I think is ironic, is that when we're depressed we are most in need of doing the things that make us feel good. Granted you feel terrible, but if we do nothing we don't increase positive feelings.

When you're depressed you've go to engage in pleasurable activities (hangin w/ friends, going to a movie, drawing, riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter haha... reading, having sex, trying new things, watching a funny comedy routine). It's all so necessary because with depression we most need these outlets for positive feelings, and often our approach to it is to do nothing, and almost give up.

What I'm saying is not easy at all. If you've ever been depressed you know how hard it is to gather any kind of motivation.

Step 1: Get it into perspective. This will not last forever. This is only a blip in my life. I will get through this.
Step 2: Increase positive feelings by engaging in pleasurable/fun activities. Keep a basic routine down, and don't avoid what you normally would do. (concerts, hanging w/ friends, going out, getting dinner, inviting people over). When you most need to feel good, do the things that make you feel good.
Step 3: Never give up hope. We're survivors. This is what we do.