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…
Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
41–50 of 51 posts
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#42The 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 h…
Also, I get overwhelmed by any task at hand. It starts getting procrastinated. Fear creeps in. Confidence takes a hit.
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#43What changed in the past few weeks? Look at this as possibly a somatopsychic issue. Look at dietary changes or other health changes. But also look at other stressors, like breaking up with your SO or having a falling out with a family member. Depression typically comes from one of two sources: 1) wonky brain chemistry, which is a medical issue or 2) some kind of real world problem that leaves you feeling helpless, of…
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#44Things WILL get better. It takes time to find the right medication, but if you don't feel better within 2 weeks tell your doctor and they'll give your something. I've had people close to me go through the same thing and it took a while to finally hone in on something that works. I know it must feel like the most hopeless and frustrating situation, but hang in there. Something out there will work, you just need patien…
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#45Work 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, ve…
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#46THAT'S OKAY. You can do other stuff. You don't have to be a programmer for the rest of your life. You don't. Don't listen to HN people just telling you to take pills and get on with it. Jesus christ.
If you feel like working the same kind of job that is going pretty much nowhere is pointless... IT IS. That's not necessarily depression or some kind of mental illness.
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#47There are books that you can work through or you can do a course (probably better). CBT is supposed to be very effective against anxiety. It is actually quite a short program (10 to 20 weeks).
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#48HN has been of great help to me. I owe it to the community.
Re: Ask HN: Any advice for a programmer who has hit rock bottom?
#49What changed in the past few weeks? Look at this as possibly a somatopsychic issue. Look at dietary changes or other health changes. But also look at other stressors, like breaking up with your SO or having a falling out with a family member. Depression typically comes from one of two sources: 1) wonky brain chemistry, which is a medical issue or 2) some kind of real world problem that leaves you feeling helpless, of…
Not much has changed. My diet, routine etc is the same. My problem is mainly due to wonky brain chemistry, but I haven't faced such an episode in a couple of years.
I have a very serious medical condition. As a side effect, it sometimes jacks up my brain chemistry suddenly and very badly. I have spent nearly 15 years working to get a handle on it and I have made substantial progress. I am pretty confident something has changed in your life. You just do not know what it is.
There is research linking diet and depression. The most solid stuff concerns the role that certains fats/oils play and the impact they have on brain inflammation.
Look some of that up. Start a food diary. I have a food blog where I talk some about things like that (and I was a mess the day I wrote my last entry): Http://miceats.blogspot.com
If you email me or leave comments, I would be happy to have feedback or questions and you can shape the direction the blog goes to some degree by giving me some feedback.
Best of luck.