Help against Depression?

You write therapy is stressing you out. So this can mean many things. You may need a different kind of therapy, or a different therapist. Or it is actually working, because therapy is not always fun.

So what I do get from this is you may not be getting the mental healthcare that is appropriate, and in this sense I agree with the person who says go (back) to the doctor, because they can help you reassess if the therapy you currently receive is adequate. Personally I believe CBT can be an important tool in treating (not curing) depression.

But if therapy does not work, there will be medication options to consider. People I know with varying depression symptoms logically all got varying types of treatment, with some getting only therapy, some getting short-term benzo based meds (valium, xanax, etc), others getting pills to help get to sleep, and yet others getting SSRIs (the real anti-depressants). For people who also have autistic/adhd/other symptoms, treating those conditions with their appropriate meds can also alleviate the depression symptoms.

Ironically, to navigate all these many options, you need to be a non-depressed person. So my advice is to find someone who can long-term assist you and keep tabs on if you are still getting the right care.

@EmilyFairhaven12 said in #1:
remain on lichess forums...
depression will go soon :)

@Dukedog said in #10:

@EmilyFairhaven12

I mentioned exercise but really I do believe the most important thing is communication and interaction with other people.
Now I'm not going to sugar coat things and pretend that some people aren't toxic and depressing but yet there are many good people in the world. My point is you can't just sit around being depressed and dwelling upon the negative but you have to seek the positive.

The most important question, which I apologize for failing to ask

Is why are you depressed?

Its just that people keep dying. My grandma, one of my old friends... its just now paranoia for safety is setting in and I can't stop seeing ways that others I love can die.

Thanks everyone :)

I'm seconding what s2numbuq35i said, also, it sounds like you're going through some tough times, which can lead to depressive states.

Make sure your therapy method is right for you, maybe try a different therapist or bring this up with your therapist.

Try to keep participating in your hobbies for fun, and to try to hit an adequate but not excessive amount of easy pleasure as well.

Bring up medication options if possible, but try to make sure you get on on the right meds for you, and also keep SSRI withdrawal in mind if you choose to take anti depression medicine. I went on (~1 year) of anti depressants, and coming off them took some months.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25218-antidepressant-discontinuation-syndrome

Therapy can help light problems, but for depression, you need psychiatrist. People seem to forget it here, but medicine is made for cases where the problem is too heavy, when sport, jokes, praying, hobbies, etc., won't be helpful enough. Or playing chess

@EmilyFairhaven12 said in #23:

These are just thoughts and have very little or nothing to do with the reality; don't think about them, 'cause thinking about them does nothing in life, except maybe make you lose hair and health...

Here's the mantra: "Don't think much..."

Spend time in nature. Go out for a little trip in your town and discover it. Be patient with yourself!

go to a farm. but really, believe me it will help you !

You'll be outdoors, will take care of animals, and animals are literally the best cure for depression.

if you live in a city, then do outdoor activities, go walk a dog, avoid solo activities and join group activities (sport team, music band...)

@EmilyFairhaven12 said in #1:

Anyone have any tips about help during depression? Therapy is stressing me out...

do something that u enjoy doing, or go on a vacation.
first of all, dying is normal. people age and die, we can't stop that