I've noticed quite a bit of depressed bronies around here lately, and, like most other people, I don't like depression. So, I decided to do my part in fighting this black mistress. Now, I'm no psychologist, therapist, or any sort of trained or educated in this field, but I've known people with their fair share, sometimes more than their fair share even, of problems, and some I helped get though this. If I learned anything, it's that fixing this is a team effort. It takes the entire community, every sing one of us, to help each one of us that needs the help. So, I propose a compendium of all our knowledge on this topic. A complete list of tips, tricks, ways of thinking, ways of life, ANYTHING that can help someone feeling downright depressed get back on their feet. Now, I'd start right now, but I don't have the time to write the thing up, so I'll edit my contribution in later, when it's not midnight and I'm not half illegible in my thoughts.
I agree, there's been way too many unhappy bronies lately. Please remember everypony that I'm always here if anypony needs somepony to talk to.
Whenever I feel down I either a) POST PONIES!!!! or b) Play trombone like a fierce beast of fierce beats! If you don't sweat buckets while playing music, then you aren't doing it right!
Let's see...when I'm down I usually talk with you fguys or listen to hilarious music (Weird Al). I'll try to think of anything else and post it.... Off-topic: I REALLY like the name of this thread
Yeah, good thred here DanSze. I'm sure it will be very helpful and what is the most important (for me at least) is that this topic says that every single one of you on this forum is not alone and everypony is here to help, support or comfort you. I think that even only being aware of this, of the fact that you are not alone is so much supportive and helping in fight with depression. Personally I'm a little bit weird. Sometimes I get depressed so hard that almost nothing can bring back the smile on my face. However I don't like showing my true emotions and prefer to hide it behind a false smile or just don't bother anyone. There are also times when I try to fight with bad feelings by fun, by talking/writing whatever comes to my mind and not thinking about the things that depress me. I'm actually a little bit af a random person sometimes and when this randomness helps me with overcoming troubles, it helps to forget the pain and focus on (sometimes silly) fun, but it works. My advice is don't be shy of your thoughts. If you feel depressed or down and you think that a little bit of trolling will help you. Do it! (of course don't offend anyone, it's not the way you should deal with problems) Have some fun, chat with us about anything you want. Post funny pictures, let the bad thoughts go away. Scream if you need to let off steam, we understand you ; ) And if you can't fight with depression on your own, if you feel that it overwhelms you, don't be shy, it's nothing to be ashamed about, no one is strong enough to fight with all of her/his problems on her/his own. Just write to me, send a message and I'll try to help you as much as I can. : )
The only thing I feel I can contribute is that when I start to become depressed. I fight it, with anything I can. Music, art, friends, forums, My own mind. To me depression is weakness. I hate showing weakness.
I usually talk to friends or watch a show that I like as for helping others, all ponies must know that always [video=youtube;HabsRtS_beI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HabsRtS_beI[/video]
I'm a bit of an amateur therapist (read: I've read lots of books, no official studies), and the first thing I do is look for the root of the depression. Usually, for me at least, it's just some baseless anxiety. For example, my oldest cat is 15, and I worry that he's sick and about to die sometimes. I usually counter that by remembering that just a few minutes ago he was running around like a kitten, or playing with string - like a BAWS! I also have some deep rooted anxiety that I don't deserve anything good to happen to me. That's a little harder to fight. I usually counter with all the good things I have in day to day life. Three years of therapy, and that's the best I can do. Any ways, that's what I do on the analogical side. On the more productive side, I try to write, even if it's not a story I'm working on, or come here. Usually you guys are pretty cheerful bunch, overall. Sometimes, as I understand it, depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. If you're depression doesn't seem to be the kind to lift easily, I would suggest talking to a doctor, see what he says.
*Insert Episode 4 of MLP:FiM* Just fight the depression or don't think about it at all. Just remember anyone, that you have us beside you. Well...not literally but on the computer screen. That's all I got. :derpe:
Right, back from school and sleeping, time to actually write my stuffs. I've got a small philosophy of life. It's got two parts to it: 1) Never rage quit. Never. Even if life's a dog of the effeminate persuasion and likes bananas, don't ragequit on anything. Don't ragequit the community where you live, too. We're here to help. 2) Always look at what's going on. Judge for yourself, many times, what is going on, how is it, etc. Don't let another's opinion drag you down, and if things are bad, look again! They might have gotten better. Besides that, all I can really say is that I'm always here, or at least close enough to always being here, so I can always help if you need it. So are most of us, really.
I play Tekken or Street Fighter when I'm depressed. Mortal Kombat makes me sick, to be honest. The game succeeds in making me want to puke on the spot. I'm not for Gore, but I'm comfortable around blood and stuff... Just not gore and bits and pieces of people flying everywhere; hence why I'll never join the Corps.
I'm all for this idea, DanSze - I just feel a bit helpless in being able to help, mostly because I seem to be a nopony and tend to go unnoticed. Sign me up for this mission, in any case. Maybe one or two might understand, but I believe that I am able to and can lend a helping hoof to anypony who may need some help or advice on things if I were given the chance. Sometimes the problem is that I'm late to the party on certain topics, but I do think about the things I write down before I submit them. I may not have much wisdom, but I try my best to be understanding of others. Anypony is free to contact me through PMs if they want to ask something of me, as I am not bothered by this idea or with touchy subjects - whatever you're comfortable with is fine if it helps make progress. I too have my share of pain, but I do not share it with others or on here because there seems to be a bit out of place and I've been emotionally fatigued for years. I must attempt to put out my own "fire" alone, if we're going with that analogy - it really does seem like I'm the only one capable of doing it, anyway. Because I tend to put personal matters aside and put priority to other things, it's a constant work in progress. I don't have any suggestions for ideas on keeping my thoughts away from the ones that make me feel the worst, as I just let them pass. I am quite resilient and have a large amount of resolve and willpower that allows me to just 'will' my way through things. Autopilot, perhaps - but I've never survived any other way. It isn't healthy, but I still try to make the best of things regardless. Writing helps me. Reading does too. Anything that can take my mind off of things is helpful, even if it's temporary. I find that actively working towards a solution or remedy is best when I'm feeling down, although when you're in that state of mind where "nothing will change" and that your feelings will last without end, it can be difficult to start or get motivated to continue. :derpe: Like I had mentioned before - the race doesn't end when you lose, it ends when you quit. What one takes away from this is that you shouldn't give up because of a mistake, failure, or a fear, as there will always be an opportunity to make up for it, improve things, and even find ways to help yourself feel better or find happiness. Nothing worth doing is ever easy, after all. Life may be difficult at points, but it does get better when you become the change you want to see in it. Yes.
