Reddit reviews The Depression Workbook: A Guide for Living with Depression and Manic Depression, Second Edition (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)

Hey monkeyfett, I'm sorry to hear about how bad you are feeling. What I found most helpful and motivating was The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (apologies for the mobile link). It looks as though there is also a Depression version if you think that's more appropriate to your situation. The two disorders can be similar and coexisting.

This workbook is written in a comforting and informative style and filled with helpful, nurturing information. It puts the power in your hands by giving you information to understand yourself and your condition and gives you tools to decide what's the best way to proceed for yourself.

It was awesome because you can take it at your own pace, and it is available 24/7 unlike a doctor or specialized program. They are extremely helpful if you haven't found the right program or doctor yet. There is a wealth of information that is well organized into a system, that helps you make up an action plan and tackle the different parts f this complex problem.

I can't recommend these workbooks enough, mine quite literally saved my life. Please feel free to reply or PM with any questions or if you want to talk.

This book helped me a lot when I was younger. Definitely talk to a counselor- your tuition is paying them anyway, and it is normal to be depressed when you have a lot of life changes like going away to college!

I am speaking from having dealt with depression for many, many years and have overcome it.

It may seem true ... it really, really may seem true that no one cares. It could be true. The problem with that kind of thinking is it misses the point. Just because you are not like everyone else and Ms. Popular does not mean your life is unappreciated. Our society can send the message that if you aren't out there doing a b and c, you're worthless.

Think about that message from society, perhaps your parents and acquaintances. Not everyone is meant to live a life like Ms. Popular. For me, I learned a lot from /r/introvert. I am not alone in wanting a quiet life.

We have to be true to ourselves, and let go of caring what other people think. This pertains to your thought patterns (you don't have to believe everything you think, although depressed mind wants you to believe all depressed thoughts). We can't worry about what others think, and we can't go saying no one cares. Rather, we can think it, but it is false. Other people may care very, very much about you, but they may not show it the way you want them to. Let go of trying to say "others don't care." Just let it go, don't believe it.

Be true to yourself. If you want to live a quiet life, do so. If you want to have more friends, be friendly. If you want others to care about you, show that you care about them. Do you want others to listen to you? Then set the example and listen to others.

When we give what we want, we tend to get it.

Love isn't about getting, it's about giving.

This is why generosity really really matters.

Gratitude also really, really matters.

It matters what we do with our minds. Just like right diet and moderate exercise are important for our body, right mind diet and right mind exercise is important for our mind.

Right mind diet can include being in nature daily. It can include reading or studying something interesting to us, or something uplifting like /r/upliftingnews, etc.

Right mind exercise can include affirmations, or exercises found in self-help books such as the ones by Matthew McKay. He's written many, many others and your library might have some.

Depressed mind is mired in inertia. It wants to stay depressed. My depressed mind often came about when I was tired. Notice if when you feel depressed if you are tired? Notice a connection and do all you can to not be tired.

Depression can be overcome. It's not easy. Chances are, no one will help you more than the work you do for yourself. Let go of expecting anything from others, and consider for the next 12 months make it a point to give to them exactly what you want from them. (edit: Also, many people have great parents, my dad and step-mom weren't so much. Consider /r/raisedbynarcissists if that rings true. If they are narcissists, nothing, absolutely nothing you do will earn you their attention. God could sit next to you and they would deny it, it's that weird).

You're not alone. We're here. More power to you.

Good, great. Sounds corny but keep your chin up. None of this is easy. A friend of mine recommended getting the Depression Workbook I have only just started reading mine. But it made me feel better knowing that I was taking a step towards feeling better. I have to work at it every day, even when the despair tells me not to. If you need someone to listen while you find a happier path I'd be glad to. Just remember to keep your spirits up!

I have also had the problem of becoming accustomed to my depression. I'm usually just so used to feeling bad that I don't want to put forth the effort to feel good. I think it's best to take baby steps and give yourself credit for things that may even seem minuscule to the average person. For example, when I'm depressed I generally have pretty bad hygiene. So when I force myself to brush my teeth or take a shower, I kind of give myself a pep talk and say that you did a good job and you made progress. I know it sounds really lame, but it's worth a try. It also helps to think about how good it makes your body feel to do simple things like eat a balanced meal or exercise. Part of dealing with EDs and depression is about training yourself to recognize the cues your body naturally gives you. You will feel more energized after eating a balanced meal, but sometimes the depression can mask that. Try to listen to your body more, it can help a lot.

I also think that a major part of why people with EDs are often depressed is because of the irregular eating habits. Not eating at all until nighttime or only eating junk food contribute significantly to depression, as do irregular sleeping patterns. This is all extremely hard to fix, so like I said in the beginning, baby steps. Try setting goals like making sure you eat breakfast in the morning, or making sure you always get 8 hrs of sleep.

When you have those times when your mood seems out of control, it helps to try and do something that's calming. I don't know what you daily schedule is like, but try to take some time and do something that you enjoy and that is relaxing for you. This can be reading, TV, or another hobby. Maybe try making a list of things that help you relax and feel happy so you can go to it when you are feeling down and pick something you feel like doing.

I learned all of this from my 2+ years of therapy, so I definitely recommend seeking that if at all possible. I always tell people to shop around with therapists and make sure you find the right one for you. But if that's not an option, I think the Depression Workbook is a pretty good resource for dealing with these issues.

There's a great workbook as well that I've used in my sessions and in support groups dealing with depression. It also discusses mania which may not apply to you but I think you could still find it helpful: http://www.amazon.com/The-Depression-Workbook-Living-Edition/dp/157224268X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407705289&sr=8-1&keywords=coping+with+depression+copeland