chantal P. 28 Nov 2007 @ 5:17 pm

Hey,

This is a great resource for anyone trying to beat their illness. I’ve recently been diagnosed with manic depression and felt so helpless. The therapy helps…but you can only really help yourself. This is a great collection of articles and advice for someone looking to get well.

I’m part of an online community at http://www.dailystrength.org that deals with depression. I’m going to make sure that I share this with the users there; I think they will benefit enormously. Having someone like you on the site would be really great, the members would appreciate insight as well as advice from someone like you. If you want, you should check out the depression community at:

http://dailystrength.org/support/Mental_Health_Addiction/Depression/

Thanks so much and keep up the good work!

Sincerely-
Chantal

Crystal 15 Jan 2008 @ 11:48 am

Thanks , I found this by Googling exercize and depression. Last night something told me to get up early and get to the Gym. I hit the snooze buton instead. :-(

After reading your site knowing I have done all of the recomendations you post for many years I feel the need to emphasize that depression is physiological . I believe it comes before the thoughts . I believe it’s the chicken before the egg. So get out and move and find a way to laugh.

Crystal

keithnightingale 26 Jan 2008 @ 7:50 am

some great a/v resources exist…. a few are

Downloadable depression resources

there are two good programs about depression i found recently

——————————————

Videos

BBC_-_Stephen_Fry_-_The_Secret_Life_Of_The_Manic_Depressive_-_Part_1..avi and part two

and

Discovery.Health.Depression.DivX.AC3.www.mvgroup.org.avi

these are videos
——————————————-

also there is

AUDIO

Depression Recovery Program (and text)

Journey into Darkness

Aganst depression

——————————————–

and

TEXT

Personal Depression Therapy (by James Herndon, MD).pdf

I haven’t read this yet but the contents page looks ok.

I got the torrents from mininova
and
then downloaded them using azureus software

——————————————

also have found the website

wings of madness

a real life saver ….literally

Warmest Wishes Keith Nightingale / Swaraja

PHONE – (61) 8 – 9791-4634
MAIL ADDRESS – P.O. Box 1944, Bunbury, 6231
HOME ADDRESS – 5 Moore St, East Bunbury, Western Australia

EMAIL ADDRESS – keithnightingale@hotmail.com
WEBSITE – http://www.angelfire.com/hi/all1/index.html
PHOTO GALLERY – http://picasaweb.google.com/keithnightingale

vondra01 7 Jul 2009 @ 9:23 pm

Nice post. Really good overview of all depression important sites. Thanks for that.

Ine 11 Sep 2007 @ 11:20 am

Sounds like a smart thing to do. I may try it. Thank you for sharing.

maggie moo 14 Sep 2007 @ 10:07 am

This is fantastic! I am very involved in support groups for people with symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder. May I have your permission to use this with them? It’s much less complicated than many other tracking methods I have seen.
Thanks!

Austin of Sundrip Journals 26 Jan 2008 @ 5:51 am

I was just talking about doing some of these things. I think the most helpful thing for me is to see my goals on paper. I need to see them written down instead of trying to remember them all the time. When stress is high the last thing I can do is think straight. Having a list such as the above that includes my safety plan has been quite helpful over the years. I need to get that list out again, post it where I can see it..make it in hard copy form not on the PC or anything.

Tx
Austin

Emma 28 Jan 2008 @ 1:09 pm

I’m going to try this. I tend to get bogged down trying to make too many changes at once.

Jackal 26 Mar 2008 @ 3:05 pm

I will try to follow this.

Matt 13 Apr 2008 @ 11:56 pm

The only issue with your setup is the weight item.

It is measured weekly but added daily?

Pia 8 Oct 2008 @ 4:32 am

Things that worked for me to keep my depression under control and eventually cure it:

~ Think positively – in every situation try and see something positive. Even what is seen as failure is a valuable learning experience.

~ Get things done, be active – do chores, achieve small things every day, take small steps at a time doing things, learn something new and do it every day.

~ Focus on what you have achieved – and not on what you still need to do. Every day see what you did get done and be proud of it. Celebrate the victories.

~ Get out and meet people – is related to being active, but also on focusing on someone else, takes your mind of all the negative thought patterns.

~ Set a goal and take one small step towards it every day. Learn a new language, take classes/education, write a novel. And every day, do a small step, achieve something, see your progress, focus on the progress, focus on every step that’s completed and take pride and joy in it.

~ Eat a healthy solid breakfast – I’ve found the days I skip breakfast I lack energy, am more prone to bad moods, lack motivation to do things. All which in return enforces my bad moods that comes from not getting things done, all that enforces my feeling of being down because I don’t have the physical energy to get things done.

~ Find beauty in your surroundings – gaze upon a flour, enjoy the scents and beauty, see children play and laugh, watch a cloud and how it moves, feel the sun on your skin, study your palm and see it for the first time. Spend time every day focusing on something beautiful and focus only on that and be amazed again over how diverse and fascinating and beautiful life and nature actually is.

~ Meditate – spending a time every day focusing on your breath, emptying the mind, letting go of all thoughts and feelings of worry, sadness, helplessness, hopelessness and so on. Just exist in the moment, focusing on it.

~ Live in the now and appreciate the now – this is a difficult one and to me it came after I had broken a lot of bad thought patterns and behaviours. When I take myself in thinking about the past (bemoaning what I didn’t do, what I lost, the pain or whatever) I focus on the now and what I have, what I have achieved, of the steps I’ve taken and feeling proud of where I am right now. When I take myself thinking of wishful dreams or good things to come, while doing something in the now, I force myself to focus on the now and appreciate the now (like watching my daughter play and be happy, I have a tendency to tell her what will happen of fun things tomorrow. Which is utterly silly since she’s perfectly happy living in the now and enjoying it. We should not mare the enjoyment of the now by distancing ourselves from it and focus on what might come in the future).

~ Look in the mirror and accept yourself. Tell yourself that you accept yourself, that you are proud of yourself, that you are capable, that you will achieve your goals and dreams if you work hard enough for it, that you are an amazing person, that you are beautiful (all people are beautiful), find the most appealing trait you have and be proud of it, tell yourself that you love yourself.

~ Do things fully. If you’re working on a task, give your best to it, do it as well as you can. If you’re doing annoying chores, give your best, dedicate yourself fully. By the end of the day you can look back at what you have done and know deep inside that you did your best, that you could not have done better in the situation. That breeds acceptance of yourself and what you do, it lets you know that even if you didn’t get a big success out of a task, you did the best you could do and learned from it.

~ Take action. Every time you begin to complain (to yourself or others) about how things are, take action to change the situation, set a goal of how you want things to be, work out a plan on how to get there, and start going there. The things you don’t want to change (for all things can essentially be changed, but many we won’t out of consideration to others), accept that it is your decision that you won’t change it and move on.

Heh, this became a longer ramble. Some of these things can easily be put into your schedule, and are only meant to be additional suggestions to what you already have. I hope it’s useful for you.

Good luck with your project. I know that one day you’ll truly be happy and live a life without depression.

Finding Optimism - World of Psychology 5 Aug 2007 @ 4:22 pm

[...] The list is compiled at the great new blog Finding Optimism. Among the positive views is the entry 12 Best Things About Being Mentally Ill. Check it out. Time. I now spend more time on things that are important to me. Example – I have [...]

Diana 21 Aug 2007 @ 9:23 pm

I think mental illnesses are ways that we react to the world around us when it conflicts with who we are and how we perceive things at a given time. They are opportunities to grow and realize we are all uniquely powerful and that there is beauty to be found in almost anything. From all darkness comes light.

Newt Stremple 12 Sep 2007 @ 3:20 am

Hey – thanks for making me not feel so alone. I have friends and family who love me and are great at supporting me, but there’s nothing like hearing from other people who know what this is like. I’m working on a zine called Not the Only Crazy about depression and this site is going to be a huge resource.

Julian the Apostate 29 Dec 2007 @ 1:08 am

Artists!? ARTISTS!!?? I would give anything right now to NOT have ANY “artistic” so-called skills AT ALL. They are NOT WANTED and NOT PRACTICAL and NOT NEEDED!!

I’d rather have something PRACTICAL!!!!!

Oh big DEAL I string BEADS and tinker with a jeweller’s saw and make stupid TRINKETS!!
WHOOP DEE DOO!!

I was talking to my brother today, he just passed the test to be hired as a power-plant worker, and as he was telling me about the things he’d be able to do if he got hired…buy a house and all…I cried and cried and CRIED!!
This “artistic” CRAP has gotten me NOWHERE in 20 YEARS and I HATE IT!!!

ARTISTS!! Go away!! :( :( :(
(crying)

tg 19 May 2008 @ 10:19 pm

I really appreciated this post: “12 best best things about…”

I can relate to to insights gained and mixed blessings from living with bipolar II. Liked the humor in the last one about “performing social work just by existing.”

This is a positive website!

Jan Prejbisz 9 Sep 2008 @ 6:25 pm

From the other side:

My mother is bipolar.
The best thing you can do (especially if you’re a teenager) is move away for a while but keep sporadic contact.

My relationship with my mother improved by several orders of magnitude after 6 months away from “home” and almost no contact.

After living with “normal” people it became clear to me that I wasn’t the mental one.
Never question your sanity based on the assertions of your parents.
No matter how sure they seem.

I now keep in regular contact with my mother and realise that if she cries down the phone at me she is in a dip and that I should call back in a few days to assuage the guilt she will undoubtedly be feeling, and reassure her that I am alright and that she is alright.

If you have any views on the above post please let me know @ janprejbisz@gmail.com as this is the first time I’ve put any of this into written form.

Sincerely,

Jan Prejbisz.

Doug 24 Dec 2008 @ 7:18 pm

Very nicely thought out. I am a much richer person for the things that I’ve been thru — and continue to go thru. Thanks for the perspective.

Lynda 2 Jun 2009 @ 5:53 am

Great post. I don’t have bi-polar (I have chronic depression) but I grew up with a mother who did. She was wild and wacky and I miss her so much. Sure, there were extreme down times and her anger could be like Katrina blowing through your life, but what a childhood I had. She’d take us for walks at midnight and told me the moon followed me around cause I was special. She’d laugh and laugh and make each of our days brighter. She was always for the underdog and me.. being a 60′s child, usually got out-done by my own mother when it came to getting out and trying to change the world. How weird was it going to protest meeting and finding your mother there!

All the best to all of you. We are all unique and special and I have found in my long life that it just isn’t black and white, we all have such greatness in us.

kathbc 6 Jul 2009 @ 1:46 pm

Just to let you know, my husband is bi polar, and has done quite well artistically – he creates art from wood. At the moment he is building wooden chests for our children, then he will make new beds for them. He finds that when he is manic he plans what he will make this is his design phase. When he is feeling within the ‘normal’ range he goes over his designs, tweeks them and cuts the wood, when he is depressed is the perfect time for sanding and doing the little tedious things which don’t require too much energy, but still give him a sense of achievement.
He doesn’t do full time work well for long – a year is about what he manages, but the things he creates are valuable and saleable and bring in a little money at craft markets. His biggest problem is putting the right price on the items for sale – usually he under prices his work which means that those who can afford to buy them don’t value them as they don’t cost enough – the snob effect! Luckily we have a new friend who is telling him the right prices for his items so they are selling. So don’t undervalue yourself or your art.

Teresita 13 Jul 2009 @ 12:04 pm

This has been a bless in my day and my life….thank you for sharing your experience. Now I know I am in the right way in my life…studying as an Art Therapist….. It is an excelent tool and a good way to focus all the energy…maybe can be useful for someone….thanks!

Sheri 28 Jan 2010 @ 9:23 am

I too am a Bipolar christian, one who wishes that I had an artistic streak as it might be a way to support myself at a time when SSI is being denied and I have blown up my job history and my credit history. I have been single and raising 3 children for the past 25 years (single again for 14 yrs) and currently require my son to put a roof over my head. Struggling to get a job, struggling with my faith at the moment. Im 47 and my whole world is in TILT mode.

Sheri

Kimmy 1 Apr 2010 @ 10:33 pm

I too have bipolar and at times I feel as though it is a curse, however I know It has many positive aspects as well. I have been on disability since 03 And during this time I have had the oppurtunity to continue my education. I will be starting a PsyD program in aug of this year. At times I struggle with the ability to work when it is required, but then come back full force and bang out an amazing amount of work. To quote Kay Jamison ” having lived with bipolar I have felt things more deeply; had more experiences, more intensly; loved more and been loved; laughed more often, for having cried more often; appreciated more springs, for all of the winters. Depressed I have crawled on my hands and knees in order to get across a room. But, normal or manic, I have run faster, thought faster, and loved faster than most I know .”

Sarah 21 Nov 2010 @ 3:51 am

This is a wonderful piece James. I also feel there are many blessings in having bipolar disorder. For me one of the big ones has been a much needed dose of humility. I especially liked the bit about service :) It is great to have found you and I will be directing others to your site. God bless, Sarah

Ed Smale 24 Nov 2010 @ 12:42 am

Your list made me smile and laugh – I can relate to a lot of what you have listed. Thanks for posting it!

Kyle 14 Feb 2011 @ 6:26 pm

P.S If people want to ignore me and miss out on what I can do then that’s their problem.

If people want to subconsciously think I am boring for not going out to parties and other crowded places due to not fitting in then that’s their problem. Not mine.

Jackie Hagan 25 Mar 2011 @ 11:07 am

Fantastic! loved reading this.

I have bipolar and used to abhor myself and my life but over time have come to appreciate (and sometimes adore) the journey of being mad.

I haven’t travelled much but i feel like i’ve been to the moon and back.

I love people who have gone through things that have turned their life upside down, there is a richness and sincerity and humour.

I run creativity workshops for people with mental health needs and am currently helping a group of folk make a book about their stories, I’m running a workshop tomoro about the positives of mental illness and found this website through google. I’ve written a lot about my own journey and mental illness in general, i thought i’d put a link to a poem about ‘us lot’ :)

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/note.php?note_id=32347067403

Todd Smith 30 May 2011 @ 5:49 am

How do you help someone with depression seek help? I have a friend who goes through depressed moods every six months or so with a serious depressed state about every 2 years.

I recognize the symptoms as they are similar to my mom’s symptoms when she was depressed. My mom committed suicide about 20 years ago. When she goes through deep depressed states my friend pulls herself into herself to protect herself and others around her. She sometimes won’t communicate with me for weeks, then comes out and things are normal again. She loses many friends at these times.

She has told me many times when she is not in a depressed state that she knows something is wrong, but doesn’t know what. I can’t mention the word depression without her getting upset though.

How can I help her when she won’t communicate with me when she’s depressed and and won’t entertain the thought of seeking help when she’s OK?

Annette 20 Jun 2011 @ 1:02 am

I too know the benefits of having bipolar. Being a Christian and reading the Bible at times I smile when reading about King David he must have been our leader of the Bipolar’s he was so brilliant and inspiration to us all.
My top 12 list of good things about being Bipolar 1. I can multi-task beyond anyone I worked with. 2. I have compassion for others being what I’ve been through. 3. I can turn emotions off and not let people affect me. 4. I pretty much on manic side and accomplish a lot every day. 5. People love my energy I’ve learned to manage it. 6. The ideas that pass through my mind I have learned to hold on to and siege and have promoted programs to help others. 7. Have become a public speaker because of my experiences with bipolar. 8 According to my adult children’s friends I’m the greatest mom ever they love to hang out with me and come to me for advice because I’m an open book even though I’m 55. 9. The grandkids love the crazy concotions I come up with for them, baking together, science projects, you know you can put a hersey’s kiss inside a cupcake and it will keep it’s form. LOL 10. Optimistic, I am uplifting to others they say I’m such an inspiration to them they feel safe in my home, when they’re with me, they say I just give the feeling of nuturing safety that when they’re around me they can do anything. Because I pull out their strengths to be stronger and make their weaknesses strong. 11. I see Bipolar as a gift from God, 12. I can do anything I put my mind to do when raising my kids if something broke down in the home I’d study it, draw a picture of it and stare at it to figure out its being. Then close my eyes sleep on it. And somehow figure out how to repair it on my own. A gift from God Magical problem solving abilities.
Thank You for putting this site together it’s wonderful.
Annette

Mahmud 6 Sep 2011 @ 11:41 pm

Honestly, brother, you’re much more mentally fit than many of those who pretend to be okay when they are not. Wish you a wonderful life.

isabella mori 14 Jul 2007 @ 9:31 am

thanks for playing the game. always interesting to see how other people play with energy – and how down to earth it all is!

lack of sleep, huh? reminds me of two weeks ago, when i had decided to catch up on my sleep – and it’s unbelievable how low on energy i was after a 10-hour sleep.