How to motivate yourself when your depressed?

[Wingman]

Hey guys Im asking this question, beacuse I love to workout, but I have severe depression and axiety problems. I sometimes go weeks being depressed, and I dont workout when im depressed, beacuse I have no motivation to leave the house. I cannot get medication for my problems, beacuse I used to have a really bad drug problem, and my mom told the doctor. So how do you guys workout when your depressed?

[krazylarry]

Not working out would make me more depressed. When life hands you a big pile of shit, which it hands all of us, training helps to keep you sane. I know when things are going bad, and there is a ton of bull shit I can't control, I workout more. Because being strong and in shape is the one thing I can control. I can't control the job market, the scum that passes for leaders, my fucked up family, my shitty friends, my injured knee, the annoying uninteresting women I sleep with. But I can make myself strong, and that's enough to keep me sane...for now. Ha.

[Whoopipally]

"I really regret the workout I just did." - No One Ever.





Before anything, make sure you got your shit straight man..If you do have some struggles with life, get the appropriate support via family, friends, professionals,etc. Aside from that, push through it. Everyone's had their fair share of "Fuck it" days while sitting around trying to over think their way out of a problem that most likely doesn't have a straight forward answer to begin with. You know what happens? Nothing. Take a little time to think out your situation, plan out your course of attack, and fucking go for it man. The world is yours, take it. And yeah, Ill guarantee you you'll have more wounds to lick and days that put you in an uncomfortable spot. But do you know what? Use that as motivation to get better everyday so you have the strength to face those unforgiving days. It all starts the next time you get under that bar, and it doesn't ever end. View life as one continuos workout.

[Cards]

Not working out would make me more depressed. When life hands you a big pile of shit, which it hands all of us, training helps to keep you sane. I know when things are going bad, and there is a ton of bull shit I can't control, I workout more. Because being strong and in shape is the one thing I can control. I can't control the job market, the scum that passes for leaders, my fucked up family, my shitty friends, my injured knee, the annoying uninteresting women I sleep with. But I can make myself strong, and that's enough to keep me sane...for now. Ha.

poetry

[3fingerVic]

I really think that you need to get some professional help, if you're not already. I work with troubled kids, and know that depression can not always be "powered" through. There are a lot of things at play here. First, the drugs that you were on could be altering you brain chemistry, making you depressed. On the other hand you may have been depressed and were self medicating. I'm not sure what the answer is for you, as I'm not a psychiatrist, but I think you may need to see another Dr. for your disease. Good luck, I hope you can get this under control.

[Alex.V]

I really think that you need to get some professional help, if you're not already. I work with troubled kids, and know that depression can not always be "powered" through. There are a lot of things at play here. First, the drugs that you were on could be altering you brain chemistry, making you depressed. On the other hand you may have been depressed and were self medicating. I'm not sure what the answer is for you, as I'm not a psychiatrist, but I think you may need to see another Dr. for your disease. Good luck, I hope you can get this under control.

This. Depression is not something you can usually just shake off- first off, make sure you're taking care of yourself. I'm all in favor of telling people to man the fuck up, but if you've got clinical depression, you might turn what should be self-motivation into self-destruction.

If lifting and working out becomes your therapy, it can become your addiction. Nothing worse than turning to lifting to bring you out of your hole, then winding up injured and unable to indulge your one escape.

Oh, also this:

[Wingman]

thanks for the help guys it means alot im going to continue hitting the weights hard even when I am depressed it hasent been going on just resently its been a constent struggle umost 5 years now. I was actually a big coke addict for a few years, and ive been clean for 2 months now off that shit. Ive also been clean off the cutting for a few days. Started that back in 7th grade, and im umost a junior now. I think im going to start up a journal here, and maybe that will help me to keep motivated?

[justiNCSU]

I cannot get medication for my problems, beacuse I used to have a really bad drug problem, and my mom told the doctor.

I'm no doctor but i dont think SSRIs(anitdepressants) are exactly addictive. Like your not gonna take 10 to get high. If possible id highly recommend seeing another doctor. They should prescribe you something if youre in serious need. And its not like they cant give your mom the medication and have here keep it locked in a safe or something and only give you what you need.

[Wingman]

I'm no doctor but i dont think SSRIs(anitdepressants) are exactly addictive. Like your not gonna take 10 to get high. If possible id highly recommend seeing another doctor. They should prescribe you something if youre in serious need. And its not like they cant give your mom the medication and have here keep it locked in a safe or something and only give you what you need.

that is very true I talked to my actual doctor, and he could not give me medications for xanax for axiety(highly addictive) or zoloft for anti depressants, beacuse it has to be run through a phyrapist(sorry if spelled wrong) I do go to counceling, but for drug problems not for being depressed I usually hide that. Im not a very open person at all.

[NITF]

Get help now!
It may be hard to open up and ask but you will not regret it later.
You will regret not seeking the help you need.

[thecityalive]

If working out is all that you have, why would you allow yourself to be removed from the one thing you love?

[Wingman]

If working out is all that you have, why would you allow yourself to be removed from the one thing you love?

motivation to get in there to workout its as if its a mental block umost.

[tmor6]

that is very true I talked to my actual doctor, and he could not give me medications for xanax for axiety(highly addictive) or zoloft for anti depressants, beacuse it has to be run through a phyrapist(sorry if spelled wrong) I do go to counceling, but for drug problems not for being depressed I usually hide that. Im not a very open person at all.

Congrats on being clean, but I think you may need to see another doctor. Anti-depressants are not addictive under normal use, and if you're dealing with depression you need help. Family doctors, in all states, are able to prescribe anti-depressants. Your doctor may be hesitant based on your past drug use, but this is ill-advised.

I work with the Garret Lee Smith foundation as a program evaluator (http://www.jaredstory.com/garrett_smith.html) for my state (in addition to my "normal" job). GLS is a federal program for teen suicide and depression. Call a teen hotline just to speak with someone about how you are feeling. We have a stigma against individuals with depression that need not be - reach out for help - and there is nothing wrong about taking medication.

Finally, the "man-up" advice is the opposite of what you need. You need supportive family, friends, and health professionals. PM me if you want to talk sometime - I can give you my office phone number or a number for an appropriate hotline for you to speak to someone if you'd like.

[Canadian Crippler]

Doing coke in Grade 7? Geeeeeez, kids these days.

Also, don't touch anti-depressents unless you truly need to. Especially since you've abused drugs in the past. Doctors are many times salesmen for big pharma companies, watch out for it.

[Alex.V]

Congrats on being clean, but I think you may need to see another doctor. Anti-depressants are not addictive under normal use, and if you're dealing with depression you need help. Family doctors, in all states, are able to prescribe anti-depressants. Your doctor may be hesitant based on your past drug use, but this is ill-advised.

I work with the Garret Lee Smith foundation as a program evaluator (http://www.jaredstory.com/garrett_smith.html) for my state (in addition to my "normal" job). GLS is a federal program for teen suicide and depression. Call a teen hotline just to speak with someone about how you are feeling. We have a stigma against individuals with depression that need not be - reach out for help - and there is nothing wrong about taking medication.

Finally, the "man-up" advice is the opposite of what you need. You need supportive family, friends, and health professionals. PM me if you want to talk sometime - I can give you my office phone number or a number for an appropriate hotline for you to speak to someone if you'd like.

This....

OP- I hope you reach out to this guy.

[Alex.V]

Doctors are many times salesmen for big pharma companies, watch out for it.

[Canadian Crippler]

Facepalm your own face mang, I ain't wrong on this one. If you don't think doctors have a profit incentive to advertise/sell these products, you're living in a different world!

[Alex.V]

Facepalm your own face mang, I ain't wrong on this one. If you don't think doctors have a profit incentive to advertise/sell these products, you're living in a different world!

Yes, you are. There's a marginal incentive, but this is a very different world than it was five or ten years ago. I worked in the pharma industry for seven years, and believe me, physicians were NOT in any way considered our "salesmen". Quite the contrary- they are a customer, and very often a recalcitrant one. 95% of effective sales is targeted towards the patients- why do you think the "drug sales" (to clinics and hospitals) career path has all but evaporated in the last five years? It simply isn't worth the money- physicians prescribe generics as often as brand name- pharmas attempt to "educate" physicians on new drugs and treatments, but very often they resent the intrusion in their practice. Direct payouts are also illegal in this country- so you're effectively arguing that doctors are prescribing these drugs so that they get the occasional free dinner.

In fact, in many hospital systems, particularly state-funded, there are incentives to prescribe generics, since it's cheaper for the insurance companies.

It's the patients who request brand names and ask about new medicines/treatments for their conditions.

But I entirely too often find these sorts of arguments are wastes of time. Those who feel that it's all a conspiracy and/or collusion between physicians and pharmas to make millions by overprescribing expensive drugs generally don't listen to logic.

[Canadian Crippler]

Yes, you are. There's a marginal incentive, but this is a very different world than it was five or ten years ago. I worked in the pharma industry for seven years, and believe me, physicians were NOT in any way considered our "salesmen". Quite the contrary- they are a customer, and very often a recalcitrant one. 95% of effective sales is targeted towards the patients- why do you think the "drug sales" (to clinics and hospitals) career path has all but evaporated in the last five years? It simply isn't worth the money- physicians prescribe generics as often as brand name- pharmas attempt to "educate" physicians on new drugs and treatments, but very often they resent the intrusion in their practice. Direct payouts are also illegal in this country- so you're effectively arguing that doctors are prescribing these drugs so that they get the occasional free dinner.

In fact, in many hospital systems, particularly state-funded, there are incentives to prescribe generics, since it's cheaper for the insurance companies.

It's the patients who request brand names and ask about new medicines/treatments for their conditions.

But I entirely too often find these sorts of arguments are wastes of time. Those who feel that it's all a conspiracy and/or collusion between physicians and pharmas to make millions by overprescribing expensive drugs generally don't listen to logic.

I haven't done much research into this in 4-5 years, so if things have changed since then I admit to my own ignorance.

I don't think it's a conspiracy or anything like that though, more just human nature. I likely over-stated the point by calling them salesmen for the pharma companies, since most are not directly in-bed with them. My point to the OP is this: There are a lot of different incentives for a doctor to prescribe these drugs to you. Make sure it's the last resort.

I do however dispute that hospitals and clinics avoid brand names to save money. As you said, the insurance companies foot the bill. It's funny, I was actually just reading an article about this yesterday: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/10/...ice-drugs.html

Direct payouts are illegal, so yes, I am referring to "free dinners". There was a scandal a few years back. Clinics would put up advertising space within or around the clinic. Pharma companies would pay large amounts to have their advertisements (posters) displayed. However, they would only sign-up with clinics who had sold a fair amount of their product. Anyways, I do believe they made this illegal now (selling ad space in clinics), but it goes to show the mindset we are dealing with here.

I really shouldn't have mentioned direct profit incentive anyways, my point originally was that they push for the sale of these drugs. There are other reasons besides profit why doctors push these drugs irresponsibly.

For instance, the nature in which research and studies are funded. It's fair to say a large chunk of that funding comes from the big pharma companies. So let's be realistic: If you are a doctor involved or interested in research, if you are actively involved in a particular study funded by said companies, there is indeed incentive to increase their profit margin. If you're a doctor trying to simply help people, even then there is incentive to push these drugs. The increased profits result in increased funding for more studies, which results in advanced research. We are in a sense guinea pigs =(

Lastly there is the indoctrination within the psychiatric schools themselves. There was a bit of a scandal at Harvard Economics a few years back. Increasingly large research grants were being given by Sachs, Morgan and other big financial firms. Coincidentally the curriculum being taught to the students starting preaching the benefits of sub-prime mortgages and other endeavors these very companies were actively involved in. When we look at psychiatric schools the same things occurs. Big pharma companies issuing massive research grants to them; low and behold, the curriculum favors the use of anti-depressant drugs as a highly effective solution to mental illness, not as a last resort, but as a near immediate solution. Result: These doctors graduate and push (sell) anti-depressants when a measly few months of treatment does not do the trick for their patients.

[tmor6]

I haven't done much research into this in 4-5 years, so if things have changed since then I admit to my own ignorance.

I agree with a lot of what you posted, but new health care laws prevent the free dinners and such - the health care reform bill passed 2 years ago killed all of that. My father-in-law works with GE medical technology...GE is stuck with season tickets/golf course passes ect...that they purchased for the "wining and dining" of their clients (hospitals, mainly, but also docs). All of that is now illegal. In addition, the bill also limits pharma companies from giving away free samples to doctors offices as a way of trying to convince them to prescribe the name brand instead of the generic. All of that being said, I'm not defending the system, and I do agree with your discussion of indoctrination, but I believe most of the health care professionals do not engage in prescribing drugs for personal profit (the exception to this are the pill factories--docs that prescribe Oxycontin and such to patients who are wealthy and addicted to pain killers [Rush Limbaugh types]). But you're right about the research side.

[Alex.V]

Ah, see, these are different issues. I won't disagree with much of what you posted (and I don't want to further derail the thread), since you bring up some very valid points.

I agree- there is a certain amount of profit motive inherent to clinical trials- rewards take on more forms than just money (PIs certainly enjoy the fame and reputation boost), what I took issue with was the notion that doctors were essentially in the business of pushing drugs for issues of financial gain or due to collusion with the pharma companies. It IS a different world out there for pharmas and how they advertise, how they do business, and how they profit. Even clinical research is a very different landscape. No need to argue about how those clamoring for more FDA oversight have (unwittingly) effectively killed most start-up pharma's chances of bringing a single drug to market (since the process has become breathtakingly expensive).

The real point of it is that I'd agree antidepressants can be over prescribed, but that doesn't mean they're inherently evil. They're a tool, as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes they give people a much needed boost, to get them out of their despair just long enough to start fixing the real sources of their dissatisfaction.

What the OP needs is somewhere to turn, people to talk to, and the motivation to fix his anxiety, his depression, to find out what it is that's tearing him down every day. Antidepressants could be one item in his arsenal, so no need to shun them entirely.

Cheers, all.

[tmor6]

Ah, see, these are different issues. I won't disagree with much of what you posted (and I don't want to further derail the thread), since you bring up some very valid points.

I agree- there is a certain amount of profit motive inherent to clinical trials- rewards take on more forms than just money (PIs certainly enjoy the fame and reputation boost), what I took issue with was the notion that doctors were essentially in the business of pushing drugs for issues of financial gain or due to collusion with the pharma companies. It IS a different world out there for pharmas and how they advertise, how they do business, and how they profit. Even clinical research is a very different landscape. No need to argue about how those clamoring for more FDA oversight have (unwittingly) effectively killed most start-up pharma's chances of bringing a single drug to market (since the process has become breathtakingly expensive).

The real point of it is that I'd agree antidepressants can be over prescribed, but that doesn't mean they're inherently evil. They're a tool, as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes they give people a much needed boost, to get them out of their despair just long enough to start fixing the real sources of their dissatisfaction.

What the OP needs is somewhere to turn, people to talk to, and the motivation to fix his anxiety, his depression, to find out what it is that's tearing him down every day. Antidepressants could be one item in his arsenal, so no need to shun them entirely.

Cheers, all.

Yep, I agree completely with your post, here. /closed

[2kool]

if theres one thing in life that i know about, its depression. the advice such as "man up", "the world is yours, just take it!", "just keep pushing harder every day!!" is meaningless to a person with a mental sickness such as depression. to the person who doesnt understand why one would remove themselves from the one thing they love.. it makes no sense to people who dont go through this sickness, but thats just the way it is. when you dont care about anything, especially yourself, then you dont care to do anything that you like to do. make sense? probably not. but to us it does.

OP, talk with me in private messages if youd like. i come from a family of many mental disorders and have had a lifelong battle with severe clinical depression. people fail to realize that there is an enormous difference between "having fuck it days" and having real chemical imbalances in the brain that cause you to look at life very, very differently than most people.

the biggest thing you gotta come to accept is that there is no cure. i dont care what drugs you take, which therapist you talk to, or any other "professional help" you seek, you will be afflicted with this disorder your whole life. its most about learning to live with it than trying to fix it.

[Wingman]

Congrats on being clean, but I think you may need to see another doctor. Anti-depressants are not addictive under normal use, and if you're dealing with depression you need help. Family doctors, in all states, are able to prescribe anti-depressants. Your doctor may be hesitant based on your past drug use, but this is ill-advised.

I work with the Garret Lee Smith foundation as a program evaluator (http://www.jaredstory.com/garrett_smith.html) for my state (in addition to my "normal" job). GLS is a federal program for teen suicide and depression. Call a teen hotline just to speak with someone about how you are feeling. We have a stigma against individuals with depression that need not be - reach out for help - and there is nothing wrong about taking medication.

Finally, the "man-up" advice is the opposite of what you need. You need supportive family, friends, and health professionals. PM me if you want to talk sometime - I can give you my office phone number or a number for an appropriate hotline for you to speak to someone if you'd like.

Thank you means alot ''I talked'' to my councelor today about my cutting, and he tried to figure out what was wrong, but Im a very private person, and kept giving him mixed emotions so he had no idea how it felt, but I did go to the gym today got a new max on bench 225x5

[Wingman]

if theres one thing in life that i know about, its depression. the advice such as "man up", "the world is yours, just take it!", "just keep pushing harder every day!!" is meaningless to a person with a mental sickness such as depression. to the person who doesnt understand why one would remove themselves from the one thing they love.. it makes no sense to people who dont go through this sickness, but thats just the way it is. when you dont care about anything, especially yourself, then you dont care to do anything that you like to do. make sense? probably not. but to us it does.

OP, talk with me in private messages if youd like. i come from a family of many mental disorders and have had a lifelong battle with severe clinical depression. people fail to realize that there is an enormous difference between "having fuck it days" and having real chemical imbalances in the brain that cause you to look at life very, very differently than most people.

the biggest thing you gotta come to accept is that there is no cure. i dont care what drugs you take, which therapist you talk to, or any other "professional help" you seek, you will be afflicted with this disorder your whole life. its most about learning to live with it than trying to fix it.

thank you that helped alot, and if I need help or advice i will definetly shoot you a pm.