Got the blues

[Zoidberg]

So I've had a pretty bad bout of depression that I'm in the midst of fighting, and the dysphoria is making it even harder to cope with. I was wondering if anybody had some suggestions on coping with dysphoria in specific, or even just with depression?
I'm frustrated because I can't really bind due to health reasons, and I'm having  a rough time right now with being on my period. Ideas on how to deal?

[Cindy]

Only the usual.

I try to exercise, it creates endorphins, if you are in a hot summer, I'm not I'm in winter, maybe a treadmill in a air conditioned place' like a gym or something, if you are a member.

Loud music and dancing to it.

I also get some relief from doing very difficult puzzles that distract my mind totally.

Or getting deep into a movie.

The idea is to distract my thought process.

Hugs as well

Cindy

[A.T]

Here are some threads that some people have already made some really good suggestions in.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,121094.0.html
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,120834.0.html

[aleon515]

When I was younger I got so depressed I was in a day psychiatric center (in the other kind too). I actually thought the day center helped me (unlike the other kind). One of the things we had to do were to write goals. We would then, each week go around and talk about how we were doing on our goals.

One thing I used to do was build plastic models. In my goals, I set out what I was going to do and then work on them for so long.

Exercise is really good, because really all you want to do is lay around and it increases endorphins, as Cindy said. You could find a program to work on. Actually sounds like good advice for ME!

BTW, maybe put yourself on a schedule of ibuprofen (if you can take this)? I believe that this was actually developed for the purpose. Don't let yourself actually get in pain, take it on a schedule and it will be more effective. Tea (hey not T) is a mild safe diuretic (decreases bloating). It is cold and delicious iced. (Sorry friends on the other side of the pond-- though I noticed it creeping up there last summer.)


Another btw, the Trans center I go to is recommending the IUD Mirena. It does release some proto-female hormone but not estrogen. Anyway, it is known to REALLY reduce periods and in some cases stop them. You could talk to a doctor about this as there are obviously risks.


--Jay Jay

[Arch]

When I was seriously going nuts, I started doing a lot of free Sudoku and crossword puzzles that I found on the Web. Nowadays, I find that solitaire helps--in addition to exercise, journaling, coming to Susan's, talking to my therapist, and appreciating the cat.

[AdamMLP]

I find pretty much anything that's not sitting around at home and not moving helps.  As for dysphoria I'd not suggest running because that's one of the few times that I actually notice my chest, but anything other form of exercise, cycling, rowing, whatever.

[Ayden]

Try doing something creative as well. I write when I am feeling crappy, and its been a great way to either vent out some of my feelings (a few characters of mine have certainly had rough times) or to escape for a little while and get into someone else's head. It's also rewarding for me when I look back over and it and realize that I actually created something.

Like Arch and AlecSky said - anything that keeps you doing something helps a lot. Cindy's suggestion of dancing sounds pretty funny, but it actually helps a lot sometimes. Even if you can't dance (I know I can't) just the movement and the music seems to stimulate happy feels when sometimes other things just don't.