Depression and lifestyle changes: Has it helped?

Hi Marina,

I totally agree with what you were saying. I suffer BPD. I spent a few years battling drug addiction and in overcoming this spent a year slipping into alcohol dependency, it is something I am working on carefully with a dependency team to help reduce alcohol slowly which is necessary but I have noticed when I slip into an episode it is very important I reduce my alcohol intake as if I keep drinking it makes the episode I am going through a lot more intense.

Regards 

Ben 

Hello

I remember when I was first diagnosed with anxiety and depression (2007) I was very inactive and very overweight.

I also remember my GP saying that it took lots of things to get me to where I am and so it  will take me lots of things to get me well again. Do in additon to the anti depressants  she recommended changing my diet,starting  an exercise plan and a talking therapy.

Eeventually the crippling depression lifted but I am still left with generalised anxiety - which I know if I key get out of control then it will turn into depression. One of my ways of managing this is my diet ( it's taken many years but up to now have lost 6 plus stone) and exercise - I now power walk and run and by no means a great athelete but by god it clears my head!

sorry for the long answer but I hope it helps

as a sufferer of mental health since 2007 i think that for me exercise such as attending a gym has had a positive effect not always easy suffering with anxiety and depression 

I'm suffering from mental health since my very early teens & find excercise does help wen my mind is rite but when I'm clinically depressed & anxious I can bearly get out of the bed, it's very hard ESP with social anxiety, is there anyone else who has social anxiety?

I find personally just keeping myself busy in general helps, as I find my depression to be more of an issue when I'm sat or standing still.

Totally agree.  I used to love going out, but then would drink too much, and spend a few days with very high anxiety levels and following this depression.  I have cut down on alcohol, and only go out with people I know I wouldn't feel the need to get completely plastered with!  I have a very understanding husband too, which helps immensely.  

Alcohol has never seem to have had a depressive effect on me, which is strange but I know diet and exercise really help with feeling good. The problem is when you start to slip into depression the harder it gets to find the motivation to exercise, go food shopping etc. I fall into a cycle of lying in bed all day, until there's only the option of a takeaway at night and no desire to exercise as I'm often constantly exhausted when depressed.

Hello.

I try to do exercise everyday and it helps me a little bit. However, sometimes I find it hard to leave home and start running or whatever. Some days I just want to spend the whole day at bed.

I've become very over weight in the last two years but can't get the energy or motivation to exercise.

hi everyone im fairly new here and I have had anxiety depression bpd and agoraphobia for very many years and its a battle. I am so glad that I have found a place where I can be myself without being judged. Christmas has just gone and I always hate Christmas everyone with their families sitting round a happy table eating Christmas dinner,ever since I left home when I was 22 I have neaver been invited to Christmas dinner and I am 67 now. I am happily married to the most wonderful man in the whole world I adore my husband. recently we moved back to be closer to my daughter who is 42 and has schizophrenia sorry not sure how to spell that. my daughter I love very much but she continually upsets me by talking about  very depressing things that worry me.I have told her how much it  hurts me and makes me cry and makes me more depressed but she takes no notice of me,and all I want to do is to try to help her. She rings us up several times a week,but she only wants to talk about herself. she keeps hinting abour s/h and suicide its so horrible as she also talks of this on social media.  please now im  so much more anxious and don't know what to do.  please need some advice.

         love PinkPrincess oxo