How far have you gone to avoid an oncoming depression?

I agree there's usually not much I'm able to do to stop a depressive episode, so the key is to be very aware of my mood changes and seek help as early as possible. Having said that, in the past couple of years, I've kept a daily mood diary pretty much religiously, and also started daily exercise and meditation- things which help a little.

I also think trying to keep stress as low as possible is great advice, although sometimes it's really hard to achieve! For example, I have a chaotic and stressful family life (and always have done), which is one of my biggest triggers. However, they do their best and in reality I couldn't survive without their support, emotionally and financially, especially as because of my bipolar, I've only been able to handle part-time work recently.

Like Lanka says, I wouldn't suggest trying to 'push through' depression... I tried this a few years ago by starting a stressful job abroad and crashed spectacularly only about 4 months into it.

My psychiatrist gave me the advice to stick to a daily routine (sleep, eating, bathing etc.) even if it's the last thing I feel like, and I think it's useful. However, when depressed, I also tend to lean on family to help me through as I become pretty much non-functional in many respects.

Drink so much caffeinated drinks that I get dehydrated to the point my feet start bleeding...

(The other contributing factor to that was the fact I go days without taking off my shoes...)

Avoid...? a depressive episode...?? INCONCEIVABLE!!!
I never even thought of that (I'm a Newbie) but I do "handle" my different episodes differently.
When I'm hypo/manic, I can conscientiously force myself to stay home, and sometimes even to sit on the couch. If I start sweeping the floor or something, and feel myself revving up more, I can make myself go sit and just do something active with my hands or occupy my mind, and it doesn't go away, but it doesn't wind up and get worse.
But when I'm depressed there is no conscience, and no forcing anything. When I'm depressed I kind of go with the flow, it's too hard to resist. I tell myself I will just "honor" my body and lie down when I feel tired... which is almost all day... I can shower next week, lol.
Occasionally, even when I'm down and dark like today, I come across something like this:

Oliveira wrote:I am yet to find a way to actually avoid depression. I used to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs, which was such a massive success I am now a member of Narcotics Anonymous. Nowadays if it's a mild mood swing I try a cup of coffee and some chocolate. Sometimes it works.

...and even though I may look catatonic on the outside, somewhere deep inside there is this faint little bubble of laughter, just enough to lift my mood to one slightly paler shade of dark gray. 'Cause Oliveira is so freaking hilarious I can even tell when I'm depressed. Just one of many things I love about this forum.

Aw Hugs!

crackerjack and Oilveira, you two are too funny!

Exiled. » Thu Jul 17, 2014 5:36 pm
Drink so much caffeinated drinks that I get dehydrated to the point my feet start bleeding...

(The other contributing factor to that was the fact I go days without taking off my shoes...)

Does this help you? I've been consuming more caffeine too, in hopes I exercise more .... which isn't so good for anxiety. My body feels like it's 100 years old mostly.