Feeling a little depressed and struggling to abide

[EnglishDude95]

Hey dudes, I got a little problem here.

I've struggled with depression and anxiety intermittently for a few years now. This summer I've been feeling really chilled, just hanging out in the sun, reading, playing the guitar, even managing to meet friends for some oat sodas a few times. However since September came around I've just been feeling kinda down. Not terribly so, I can still enjoy the same shit I did in the summer, but not quite as much if I'm as honest. When I see the sky all grey it just really gets me down, I'm really missing just going out for a walk in the sun. I'm trying to just abide it and get through the winter the same as I always do, but it seems to get a bit more difficult each year for some reason. I'm trying to think what Dude would do but I'm not really sure. I'm wondering if you guys can help me out by suggesting something, sharing an experience, or maybe just making me laugh in some other way.

Peace

[milnie]

Sorry to hear about your struggle dude. Sounds like you might have a bit of seasonal affective disorder (sad). There's a lot of info available out there on this and if it's really getting to you speak to your doctor about a phsyc consult. Nothing to be ashamed of in getting some help dude, in fact I note we have a few members who could perhaps help.

[wuliheron]

When in trouble, when in doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout!
If that doesn't work, keep trying to figure it out,
Just laugh at the punch lines, and the truth will come out.
Don't waste your guilt or anger; put all your sorrow to good use,
Stupid jokes are sometimes priceless, when encouraged to be obtuse.
Because fools who laugh at bullshit, never cease to be amused.

[MindAbiding]

Hey Dude,

I get the same sort of winter blues, man. I read this inspiring book at the beginning of last winter called The Forest Unseen, by this guy who goes out to the same 1X1 plot of land periodically throughout the year and just observes the changes. He writes about the ecological significance of it all, and how it's all necessary in the big scheme of things. You realize that even in the dead of winter the world is teeming with life. It helped me to realize that winter isn't something to hide from, but actually something to embrace, if for no other reason than it sets the stage for the joys of spring and summer.

I guess the big idea here, man, is to try to figure out ways to appreciate the differences between seasons and embrace them in whatever way you can. The joys of mulled wine? Winter naps with the cat? Christmas? No use fighting the changing of the seasons, relax into them and find something to look forward to each day.

Hope that helps, man! If that doesn't work, there are those lights that help with seasonal affective disorder. 

[BrotherShamus]

I'm with MindAbiding on this one. On the surface, Winter can be a real downer, but if you really take a look around its all actually quite beautiful. Its not as idyllic as the summer or spring (the best season), but its there and its important. I would try appreciating it for what it is: a chance for things to begin again (spring).

Try reading up on wabi-sabi. its a type of aestheticism that revolves around the beauty the of old, worn and imperfect.

Hopefully this was helpful. Not sure if you had some other reason for your depression you'd rather explore.

[Havazhyol]

Sorry to hear about your seasonal affective disorder, friendly neighbour from Albion. We can not always live a shinny and warm day, weither spiritual or physical.

Somehow, you have to feel the bottom of a gutter from time to time, to really enjoy the strikes you get.

[Bullett00th]

hey dude, I know that feel of struggling for abidance, but don't let the weather affect it.

There's a russian saying that goes 'Nature has no bad weather'. It's all nature and it's all beautiful in its own way. Once you start thinking like that you'll enjoy all of the seasons a bit more, even on gloomy rainy days.

helped me for sure, I even started going on walks during the rain. What's the worst thing that can happen? you go back home, take a shower and dry your clothes, that's it. But during the walk you feel incredibly free just strolling without a care and letting the raindrops soak through you while watching people running and hiding from what you genuinely enjoy. I mean, people would run around in the rain laughing after a long draught, so why not enjoy it when it just happens? It's all about perspective, man

There's plenty of bad stuff happening around, so be happy it doesn't bother you directly and don't let weather become one of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiI5uyt6L6s

[EnglishDude95]

Thanks for all the replies dudes. I reckon I'm going to get myself one of those special lights, and try and remember the whole strikes and gutters thing. Thankfully the sun's out at this very moment, but at least when it's gone I can  look forward to next time. I'll look forward to Christmas too, it really is the most dudely holiday when you take the whole Jesus thing out of the equation (well in my personal opinion).

Peace

[Judd Dude]

Hey Dude,

Man have to tell you I thought I was reading one of my posts at first when I read yours!
I totally understand your gloominess during winter months as I experience the same thing. For me all it equates to is putting away things I love to do(motorcycles, boat) and doing things I don't like doing like snow blowing and scraping ice off of car windows each morning. I know it's hard not to look at the negatives because they're so in your face, but all I can say is just try to stay positive, and maybe try some fun indoor activities such as bowling or music. My lady friend and I love the summer and outdoors, so we never really bowl during these months, but when old man winter rears his ugly head we say fuck it and hit the lanes once in a while. Fun stuff. Maybe go ice skating if you want to do something fun outdoors...
The whole light deprivation thing is real too, and getting a full spectrum bulb or two might help you. I get the same glum feeling when I go without sun on my face for too long, which is easy in the grey winter months.

Hang in there Dude, and remember we're all here for ya anytime you wanna blather.

Later,

J.

[BikerDude]

I find a key is to have activities that can keep a dude limber.
Sounds like you play guitar.
How bout multi track recording. I used to do a lot of that in a home studio.
The new technology permits us to do exciting things with
interactive software.  Wave of the future, Dude.  100% electronic.

Also I've known people that tended toward seasonal depression that have found vitamin D to really help.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/116795608_Vitamin_D_recommended_to_combat_Seasonal_Affective_Disorder.html

[Hominid]

Yes, vitamin D and - one that has saved my ass - rhodiola rosea.  I used to get into really deep funks... I concluded that because there was really nothing wrong with my life externally (okay health, good job, great marriage, etc.) that it must be a chemical thing.  For me, the stuff is magic.

We're all rootin' for you dude. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing.

[Masked Dude]

I've struggled with depression almost my entire life. What bothers me the most, and thankfully no one here has said it, is when some people either say "I was depressed once" or "You just have to decide not to be depressed." I wish it were that easy, just waking up and saying today it's all over. But stay in the fight, and there will be a better way.

[wuliheron]

As few as two modest concussions can cause chronic depression. If people keep getting hit in the head their reaction is to slowly withdraw to a defensible corner and randomly attack anything that enters the room. Apparently our brains and senses and feelings are all cross wired in some sort of bizarre recursive fractal networking fashion. The "all" within the "one" kind of trippy recursive crap that dudes love when they get high. Sort of multi-tools within multi-tools all obeying the laws of nature. Depression sucks, but so does dying a lot of people say and I've known a few who might not have died if they were depressed. Weird to think about huh?

[meekon5]

I've struggled with depression almost my entire life. What bothers me the most, and thankfully no one here has said it, is when some people either say "I was depressed once" or "You just have to decide not to be depressed." I wish it were that easy, just waking up and saying today it's all over. But stay in the fight, and there will be a better way.

I took their medication for about eight months.

My problem was it turned off all the voices in my head.

This is not a good thing because they are the main driving force to my creativity.

I spent months playing Eve Online, and was actually watching day time TV and not shouting at it.

It's the closest to being normal I have ever been.

After eight months I stopped taking the pills and it's only now the voices are beginning to talk to me again.

I have good days and I have bad days, but I can't go back to the pills again.

I am careful what games I play as too much of certain games just drive me down (I like Fallout 3 but after a few hours of all that death and greyness I need to put it down for a rest), I also don't watch a lot of "cop" shows as they get really depressing as well (have you noticed even Kojak ends on a downer every episode).

One thing I found when I was on the pills was the amazing number of other people i knew who were also taking medication for depression.

I got over the major cause of mine because it was the job I was doing (Boss didn't know what she was doing, blame culture at work, just drove me down), I left the company, but as i said even now years later I still feel that the pills have damaged some of my talents, and as i said I still have good days and bad days (when I can't even leave the house).

[DigitalBuddha]

I've struggled with depression almost my entire life. What bothers me the most, and thankfully no one here has said it, is when some people either say "I was depressed once" or "You just have to decide not to be depressed." I wish it were that easy, just waking up and saying today it's all over. But stay in the fight, and there will be a better way.

I took their medication for about eight months.

My problem was it turned off all the voices in my head.

This is not a good thing because they are the main driving force to my creativity.

I spent months playing Eve Online, and was actually watching day time TV and not shouting at it.

It's the closest to being normal I have ever been.

After eight months I stopped taking the pills and it's only now the voices are beginning to talk to me again.

I have good days and I have bad days, but I can't go back to the pills again.

I am careful what games I play as too much of certain games just drive me down (I like Fallout 3 but after a few hours of all that death and greyness I need to put it down for a rest), I also don't watch a lot of "cop" shows as they get really depressing as well (have you noticed even Kojak ends on a downer every episode).

One thing I found when I was on the pills was the amazing number of other people i knew who were also taking medication for depression.

I got over the major cause of mine because it was the job I was doing (Boss didn't know what she was doing, blame culture at work, just drove me down), I left the company, but as i said even now years later I still feel that the pills have damaged some of my talents, and as i said I still have good days and bad days (when I can't even leave the house).

Dude!! Sounds like you have some awesome flashbacks there, M5, completely unspoiled!