Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?

I turned out in a pretty cool place by simply wrapping my head around things about computers all day. Having access to read and understand all levels of what the machine does is fascinating and had me hooked with free operating systems and free / open source software long ago.

IRC probably helped a lot with loneliness, both me being able to ask my own questions and responding to and researching other people's questions. I can't tell where I would be without Freenode. It's such an uplifting experience reaping and resowing one's own understanding in the various communities.

2. Vitamin D - if you dislike being outside, or have anxiety and can't go outside, then take Vitamin D supplements. If you live somewhere where the Weather is never great, take the supplements anyway.

3. Mindful Thinking - A lot of people say 'Meditation' but for many people starting out, that's a big ask. So start with something easier. Being Mindful is focusing on where you are for 5-10 minutes. Close your eyes and listen to all your senses. The sounds around you, the smells, the warmth of the sun etc. After a few goes you'll be able to feel the benefits of this simple exercise.

4. Invest in friendships. Making new friends is hard when you feel like you have nothing to offer, so work on the friendships you already have. Spend more time with your friends. Explain to them (be frank!) about how you are feeling, and ask them to help a bit. Say if you are feeling low you might reach out to them for a chat. They know what you are struggling with, but are unsure how to actively help - by giving them pointers, they'll be all too pleased to support you.

5. Look at the things in your life that make you sad or angry, and remove them if possible. These toxic things can be anything; a Job, a Person you know, Where you live, What you Eat - anything. If it's your Job, change Jobs - _no_ job is important enough to wreck your health over. Don't be afraid to reboot everything and anything until you start feeling better.

6. Therapy. You can't do this alone. Not having a professional on tap is one of the most common mistakes most people do. A good therapist will guide you through the above steps and also teach you how to deal with how you are feeling, and how it affects your everyday life.

7. Drugs. Don't accept or live with the first SSRIs/SNRIs you try if they don't seem to work. It can take several goes with different types before you find one that works. There's no such thing as 'the drugs don't work'.

I could go on, but I'm also on this Journey so I don't have all the answers yet.

Source: Me. Depression for most of my life (I'm mid-40s), also suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. All stemming from an abusive childhood and exacerbated by a nasty divorce which left deep emotional scars.

7 Ways to Maximize Misery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO1mTELoj6o

Surely, a lot of people are afraid of medication and the stigma of mental illness that comes with it. Prozac made wonders for me, I am where I am thanks to this well researched and safe "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor".

With hindsight, I realize no exercise or lifestyle change could get me out of the dark place that sucked me in. Depression is like a broken leg - you better go see a doctor.

After the first couple of weeks of treatment, my level of serotonin stabilized (so I think) and the darkest thoughts and panic attacks receded. It did not magically solve any of my problems but it gave me back my strength to fight with them over time. There were no severe side effects, maybe a lower libido in the first months. Actually, one side effect surprised me - I started to be talkative again. I totally forgot I knew how to talk to people and enjoyed company around me. Now I am a mild extrovert again, I manage people, I quit weed and booze and I take the lowest dose (20mg) of Fluoxetine every evening.