Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression?

#11

Post by billylo » Fri, Dec 10, 2021, 9:38 PM UTC

_yigw wrote: post #6

billylo wrote: post #2

My experience: 1) scared of taking meds (this was very hard to overcome, but a doctor friend's reassurance helped me make that leap) 2) continuing to take them even when they don't seem to help much in first few weeks. (this was hard too) 3) the improvements were gradual, but the darkness ended for me about 4 weeks in. 4) kept regular touch with my doctor to see if adjustment was needed 5) 10 years on, darkness rarel…

When i started to take medication before my med doctor changed them to the current one, i was terrified about side-effects and i pushed and pushed my desire to start them. But then one day i said "Enough. I can't continue living like this. I prefer the side-effects over this shit" and i started taking them, but sadly they didn't work.

Yeah, the science is not quite as mature yet. Some trial-and-error involved.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression?

#12

Post by thevagrant » Fri, Dec 10, 2021, 11:27 PM UTC

_yigw wrote: post #7

PaulHoule wrote: post #4

Some advice about anti-depressants. It takes a few weeks for anti-depressants to work. Also, you will probably need to vary the dose or try a few different meds. You should check in with your doc maybe three or four weeks in and increase the dose if it isn't working. The general effect that anti-depressants have is similar in most people but people experience different side effects so "best practice" involves keeping…

Actually my med doctor changed my meds from Escitalopram to Venlafaxine. My problem is i can't convince myself to do anything other than stay in bed and rot, besides going out. In terms of activities i'm 95% outside and 5% inside. For example i found that i like studying around others, but when i'm attempting to do just that my brain starts the same routine "This is pointless. You won't go far", etc, etc. Even when i…

It's hard. I'm not consistent but when running daily, anhedonia will depart after 6 to 8 weeks. The first 2 to 4 weeks getting fit is a slog.

The right antidepressant also will make you feel normal but doing exercise or tasks, if the antidepressant is working, it can help dismiss negative thoughts (with conscious effort around your thought patterns)

If you have those negative thoughts enter your mind, you need to practice "not engaging" and clear your mind. Look into mindfulness or guided meditation. It'll take a fair bit of practice but it is very helpful.

"This is pointless. You won't go far" is an emotional response. If you can work on your thought pattern, shift it to "This may seem pointless but I am going to challenge myself, this short term task will lead to xyz goal."

It is hard though and I understand where you are coming from.

Last thing, avoid dopamine traps. Doom scrolling social media or any repetitive trap that feels good but is bad in long run. These give temporary satisfaction and ongoing term cost.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression?

#13

Post by d-d » Sat, Dec 11, 2021, 7:18 AM UTC

I was plagued by anxiety and negative thinking for twenty years. I could barely make eye contact with people. It wasn't until I started praying to God as best I understood him to be with as few words as possible, focusing on listening for the minutes and days to follow, that I was led to answers that cured everything in a matter of days.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression?

#14

Post by _yigw » Sat, Dec 11, 2021, 11:22 AM UTC

thevagrant wrote: post #12

_yigw wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually my med doctor changed my meds from Escitalopram to Venlafaxine. My problem is i can't convince myself to do anything other than stay in bed and rot, besides going out. In terms of activities i'm 95% outside and 5% inside. For example i found that i like studying around others, but when i'm attempting to do just that my brain starts the same routine "This is pointless. You won't go far", etc, etc. Even when i…

It's hard. I'm not consistent but when running daily, anhedonia will depart after 6 to 8 weeks. The first 2 to 4 weeks getting fit is a slog. The right antidepressant also will make you feel normal but doing exercise or tasks, if the antidepressant is working, it can help dismiss negative thoughts (with conscious effort around your thought patterns) If you have those negative thoughts enter your mind, you need to pra…

I started to realize that, I've been depressed and anxious for so long that i don't know how to function in my daily life.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression?

#15

Post by muzani » Sat, Dec 11, 2021, 1:51 PM UTC

d-d wrote: post #13

I was plagued by anxiety and negative thinking for twenty years. I could barely make eye contact with people. It wasn't until I started praying to God as best I understood him to be with as few words as possible, focusing on listening for the minutes and days to follow, that I was led to answers that cured everything in a matter of days.

This is common for addictions too. I define an addiction as a state of mind where you don't want to stop. You can't will your way out of it, and you won't take actions to avoid it either. And then the self hate further drains your willpower to the point that you can't muster the will to change. Depression is similar, it's an oddly painful but comfortable feeling, like being in a blanket in freezing weather.

I think the Twelve Step Program is too many steps. The key is probably just admitting that you are powerless to change, and requesting that a higher power guides you. Something in that process clears the deadlock.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with hobbies, etc., when you have diagnosed depression?

#16

Post by bdhdhskvs » Sat, Dec 11, 2021, 10:46 PM UTC

Once I fell in dark depths of depression. Everything lost meaning and I just wanted to stay in bed.

Eventually, I came out of it on my own. I think following things helped:

1. I would cry out loud and pray. I am almost atheist but praying really helped. Almost every morning I needed to cry like a child and pray before getting out of the bed.

2. I didn’t quit my job. Really wanted to. This gave me a reason to get out of bed.

3. Music. I would listen to sad songs and cry out loud with them. Sometimes, I would cry for couple of hours before going to sleep.

4. Tried to not bailout of social situations but I did cut it a lot. It was very hard to put a fake smile.

5. Read a little about CBT and tried to unravel my thoughts.

I don’t remember how and when I got out of depression but I still suffer from anxiety. However, my depression is completely gone and I am a happy person now.