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Ask HN: Are you depressed?

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Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#421

Post by cmsefton »

swat535 wrote: post #186

Nowhere else to post this so here it goes. I lost my job in January. From January - March I started looking for a job and then COVID hits at the height of my search, now suddenly no one is hiring and all the businesses are slowing down. My girlfriend of 13 years left me the day after my birthday in June before I had a chance to propose to her, I had to return the ring, she had no idea and I never told her about it. I…

Hey,thanks for sharing, and I'm really so sorry you've had to experience this. I can only imagine how stressful this must be for you.

It must have taken quite some courage to speak up, but that's a very good, positive step. It sounds like you may want to seek help, as you've identified you may be depressed.

I really encourage you to take that step to speak to someone, and seek some assistance.

I know you said you have no one to rely on support, depression can make you feel very alone and isolated. Try to speak to friends or family. I know it can be hard. Give it a try, you may be surprised.

Also remember, there are organisations out there that can help. I don't know where you are geographically, but I strongly suggest, if you are able to, to go to your local GP if you have one, and tell them how you are feeling. Explore your options for what works best for you.

If you don't have a GP, see if your workplace has an EAP program that you can call anonymously.

If they don't, do some research locally and have a look at support groups dealing with depression. (I'm based in the UK and can recommend some organisations, and if you need some assistance, I'm happy to explore some options for where you are; I'm sure lots of people on here could help, too.)

You are not alone, and people will be happy to help, and listen. Take that step.

You mentioned politics and election stress. Have you considered turning off the news, and disconnecting from Reddit etc.?

I'd also ask, do you do any exercise? Perhaps try going for a walk in a local park regularly, try doing jogging if possible? Try find an activity that suits you, physical exercise is a very good way of alleviating stress and depression. I know it's hard and daunting, just try some small steps at first.

You've taken a good step sharing. Take another, and another. Good luck. If I can help at all, let me know.

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#422

Post by princevegeta89 »

pjg wrote: post #292
princevegeta89 wrote: post #117

I lost my father recently and this has been the toughest period in my life. I grew up in India in a middle-class family and my father always went through unimaginable hardships just so that he can buy us chocolates and pay our tuition. He was still young at 65 and there was so much that I wanted to see and share with him. Realizing that this is not ever going to happen itself kills me from the inside. I'm doing okay…

I lost my father some back too, though he lived longer, I can relate. Hit me up, my email is in my profile, would love to connect

Thank you for the support, it means a lot! I couldn't find your email though :/

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#423

Post by Nbox9 »

I’ve been depressed for years. After years of short term gigs and constant moving I decided to give up that lifestyle. In late 2019 I moved to a place with family, got a corporate job, and attempted to develop a feeling of community. I was well on my way of forming new friendships and strengthening family ties when covid hit. Now, making friends is much harder and less satisfying. It’s harder to cultivate a feeling of community. My family is, in my opinion, reckless when it comes to covid so I don’t see them. All of my attempts to mitigate my depression came from improving social ties, and now it feels like that’s an impossible thing to do. On the other side, I’m use to isolation and loads of digital-only social contact, so 2020 doesn’t feel much different than 2018.

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#424

Post by princevegeta89 »

justinzollars wrote: post #176
princevegeta89 wrote: post #117

I lost my father recently and this has been the toughest period in my life. I grew up in India in a middle-class family and my father always went through unimaginable hardships just so that he can buy us chocolates and pay our tuition. He was still young at 65 and there was so much that I wanted to see and share with him. Realizing that this is not ever going to happen itself kills me from the inside. I'm doing okay…

I'm sorry for your loss.

Thank you

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#425

Post by [deleted] »

ptrhvns wrote: post #22

I'm not a doctor, of course, but for those who are depressed, but where it's not debilitating, or where you are not suffering from some kind of clinical depression where you need medical attention, I highly recommend that you immediately purchase the book "Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life" by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, and put that information into practice as soon as you can.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#427

Post by bstar77 »

ktm5j wrote: post #419

Well yeah. At the start of covid, I was dealing with ptsd from a difficult childhood.. and after some time with a good therapist (for once) I've managed to work past a lot of issues, and finally built up the courage to come out as transgender. Now I'm working with an endocrinologist on transitioning to female with hormone replacement therapy. Now I've been queer in intolerant environments before, but I have been pret…

I don't understand what compels people to go out of their way to hurt others that just want to live their life as anyone would. That said, if you really think your neighbors are a threat to your well being, you might want to setup some cameras to record any altercations or harassments.

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#428

Post by AlwaysRock »

Yes. But I have been for years. COVID has actually been somewhat good for me overall as it forced me to figure out for to be happier without external stimuli. I'm over 100 days sober now which has helped my overall mood dramatically.

Still depressed. Just my lows are not quite as low. Most days I can at least get something done. On good days I can even forget I'm depressed.

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#429

Post by AlwaysRock »

farnsworth wrote: post #241
rsweeney21 wrote: post #208

I'm fighting every day to keep the depression at bay. I've been through the same thing as every one else this year, plus my sister took her on life in March and my startup that was flying in February, has been hammered by the pandemic. I felt like I was about to slide back into depression in May. I needed something that I could accomplish that was completely within my control. I decided to start lifting weights. It h…

How can you start a gym hobby during quarantine? Haven't been to a gym in 8 months even though I still pay my pricy membership just to support them.

I bought a set of 20 pound dumbbells and a 50 pound kettlebell for less than $100 when I was in college. I got a pull up bar and some athletics rings a few years ago. I haven't had a regular gym membership in years. I can do 80% of what I want at home. It helps my mood a lot to do 6 sets of 12 pull ups and dips twice a week.

Start simple.

Re: Ask HN: Are you depressed?

#430

Post by matthewheath »

Subsentient wrote: post #407
matthewheath wrote: post #404

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Web/backend programming with Ruby and Ruby on Rails. I quite enjoy writing Ruby code. I also dabble in Elixir as a hobby but not many places are using it. It's a cool language though.

Ever play with Crystal? It's a very promising new language that's very much a copy of Ruby, down to the syntax.

I had a look at it a few years ago, but I've never played around with it. Do you like it?
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