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Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

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Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#21
I also suffer from depression and anxiety. I have since I was 15 years old. I believe in runs in my family. I've only sought professional treatment for this in the past several years. I see a psychiatrist and I take some medications. It has been difficult. It still is difficult, but I'm doing pretty well.

I recommend that you seek out a psychiatrist. A lot of people don't understand that chronic depression and anxiety are real ailments. They will tell you things like "you're fine, it's just in your head!" Don't listen to these people. They mean well but they are ignorant. Get the help you need.

Feel free to message me.

Good luck to you!

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#24

I also suffer from depression and anxiety. I have since I was 15 years old. I believe in runs in my family. I've only sought professional treatment for this in the past several years. I see a psychiatrist and I take some medications. It has been difficult. It still is difficult, but I'm doing pretty well. I recommend that you seek out a psychiatrist. A lot of people don't understand that chronic depression and anxiet…

I also suggest seeing a therapist. Can be a helpful complement to a psychiatrist.

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#25
post #19

Stop with those medications. Psychologists and doctors these days tend to fix everything by putting you under some generic label and give you some generic medication. Medication is a good fix if you have some inflammation in your elbow and you take antibiotics for a week or two, but taking medications for longer than that is just plain wrong. Usually it will only deal with the symptoms, while hiding the real problems…

This definitely does not resonate with my experience and what helped me get better. I can tackle big challenges now, but even small failures during severe clinical depression can actually worsen depression.

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#26
Go back to a doctor (preferably a real psychiatrist, rather than a doc in the box type place) and get on a different depression medication. There are an incredible number of combinations and medications that you can get on, each treating depression just a little differently.

For what it's worth, my fiance and I have both had a lot of success with Wellbutrin.

I'm not a doctor, but every symptom you listed sounds exactly like depression. Fix that, and you're golden.

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#27
post #12

As someone that had depresion, I know how you feel. > my other account is quite active on here 1.- STOP READING HN! Go out, read books, do hard work (dig holes, plant trees, etc), sweat! exercise! there's more to life than the latest startups and 'show hn' posts. 2.- watch funny movies Seriously, I had a ritual, every night after work I'd prepare dinner, and watch something funny, every single night. No excuses. This…

You forgot: 10.- Eat healthy and drink lots of water. Fruits and veggies, less bread and potatoes. (I can be presumptuous in saying I know you forgot #10 because it feels like I wrote your list myself...)

yes man!

healthy food = big pump in better mood!

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#28
The depression doesn't help, but this sounds more like stress. Don't know how much it will help, as I don't suffer from depressin, but occasionally I'll get myself into a rut like that, and I found a few things that help.

Sleep at night. No more late nights, give your brain a rest before bed. Limit your caffeine to the morning - and no naps either. Sleep a full 8 hours, and willingly go to bed early enough that you have an extra hour of leeway in the morning. You'll feel tired until your body adjusts, but it will.

Get some cardio in - go for a run, ride a bike, or swim. Do something to get your heart rate up. Your body will naturally reward you, and will help calm you down mentally. Pay attention to your body, and add more cardio as you can tolerate it.

Keep a day-to-day list of things that you have to accomplish, and update it as part of your morning routine. I would recommend the Bullet Journal method, since that's been working for me. This will help you keep on track and see what you've actually accomplished.

Break down tasks that seem too daunting into smaller portions. Something that may sound simple like deploying an application can be overwhelming until it's broken down into smaller steps. Smaller steps also lead to more frequent wins, which will act as encouragement since you'll get to see progress.

And finally, don't expect to get so many things done per day. Focus on one or two things and work on them. If you add more than that, you'll just compound your stress which will turn into a vicious cycle because you'll constantly feel behind on your work.

Good luck, you're in a spot that plenty of people have been in, including myself, but even if this isn't it, there /is/ a way out.

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#29
Work on finding things you can do without anxiety. It will likely be something very different from programming, but it will make you happy! That is the key. You must focus on your own happiness. It will be a tough transition, but consider it. Maybe just do some thought experiments (like "what if I were to get involve with art?" or "what if I built an app to help volunteers do . . . ?".

Go slow, but look into very, very different areas for a potential match. Think about YOU and happiness.

The very best of luck to you, my friend!

Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?

#30
post #12

As someone that had depresion, I know how you feel. > my other account is quite active on here 1.- STOP READING HN! Go out, read books, do hard work (dig holes, plant trees, etc), sweat! exercise! there's more to life than the latest startups and 'show hn' posts. 2.- watch funny movies Seriously, I had a ritual, every night after work I'd prepare dinner, and watch something funny, every single night. No excuses. This…

I tried those same things when I broke my arm. What ended up really working was seeing a doctor. I'd encourage OP to do the same.
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