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.
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 :( )