About ten years ago following a consultation with a doctor, I got diagnosed as having "treatment resistant depression." I gather this is maybe not the most broadly accepted terminology out there, but having tried out a few SSRIs and an SNRI (and multiple therapists) to absolutely no results or worse, I've come to respect it as the only diagnosis that makes any sense to me, and accurately describes the situation.
Anyway, I'm still here and still not on any kind of meds. I get a lot of exercise and have a physically active job that keeps me off the computer/phone for long stretches of time, get lots of sleep (always been great at sleeping), try to eat decently, cut back on drinking, do wholesome activities with others, see friends when I can, etc. I'm sure I would be doing a lot worse if I wasn't doing all those things, but I'm always looking for ways to make life more bearable.
So I guess I'm wondering: chronic depression havers of hexbear whomst are not on meds for whatever reason, what are your strategies for gettin' by? (Or if you are on meds but don't find them sufficient as a sole strategy I guess.) Much love to you all and here's to getting through a lot more years.
You sound like you're handling it as well if not better than most. I'll go through phases of trying to get a routine of being physically active started, but it never sticks and I end up going back to marijuana as a coping mechanism. I should be thankful that it's just that, but I get irrationally angry with myself for not being able to do better.
Even therapy fell by the wayside, because while I might have issues that can be helpful to talk about, I can't talk my way into coping with the system torturing us for increased profits.
Keep up whatever you're doing that works for you, and don't let anyone make you feel like you have to do more than you already do just to be happy.
That was definitely one of my biggest issues with therapy. Reading the work of David Smail on this subject was not helpful in this regard haha. I've definitely picked up an overall suspicion of health "experts" over the years for a lot of reasons, some sure to be more valid than others.
I also smoke weed, probably more than I really should, but I try to make sure to take a forced break for a week or two when I can (IE by visiting my folks in the boonies or otherwise placing myself somewhere I don't have ready access). I do like it as a relaxation/decompression strategy but I would like to cut down, if only because smoking bad for lungs (edibles too expensive tho :( )