Coping Mechanisms?

What are the coping mechanisms you use to get you through the day? And please explain the situation and how you deal with it. I find it hard to cope sometimes and I’m looking for new ways of dealing with whatever life throws at me.

I’ll start with a couple of mine:

When I’m stressed, I stop and smoke, listen to music and play a game on my phone, this relaxes me a little.
I wear noise cancelling headphones a lot as I’m highly sensitive and it’s stops people approaching me.

Thanks!

I listen to music all day. I also play The Sims 2 - this has been my coping mechanism for several years. Although if my depression gets really bad, I have no interest in playing it. I try to go to the gym as much as possible when depressed, as this raises endorphins and makes me feel better.

I am currently rapid-cycling, and my depressions have gotten pretty bad, and I haven't been able to do much of anything, so I've just been watching movies as a distraction.

Thanks Jellybeanery,

Music is something I do too I used to play games a lot, but have no motivation anymore.

I'm in the same mood state, but can't seem to distract myself with anything

I'm sorry you are going through this. I know it's really hard to get the motivation to get out of bed, let alone anything else. But you sort of have to push yourself to do things. For instance, yesterday I cleaned everything and did laundry. I didn't want to, but I made myself. And when I was done, I had a great sense of accomplishment and felt pretty good. As my counselor says, you don't have to do everything at once- just do one thing. At least you are doing something.

It seems silly, really. These are things that "normal" people do on a daily basis. But when you're struggling with depression, it's almost impossible to do. So I tend to look at these normal things as a great accomplishment. Something as simple as doing a load a laundry. It makes me feel better.

Thanks Jellybeanery,

Yes, you are right, it does help to finally do something. I’m glad you accomplished some of your tasks, it’s hard work, but your right, feels good to do it!

I think I need to focus on a new project that will make my brain hurt, go really hard at it, that tends to help me, but can’t seem to focus at the moment. The mundane is getting me down, maybe a change will help.

I do hope you are feeling better, thanks for taking the time to reply

I don't have very many, what I call, "healthy" coping mechanisms. I just cope when seriously depressed. And hope and pray that that episode goes away quickly, which these last years, it doesn't go away unless I have intervention with meds. I sit around and watch tv all day long, or I listen to depressing and very sad music to just allow myself to feel my low mood. When I can't feel, then I'm in trouble. That's my early warning signs of things getting worse. But I mostly do "Nothing." I do like to have a nice lunch and usually will go as I am, maybe just brush my hair and then go through the drive through of a restaurant and get a good meal. No cooking or cleaning for me. I call the cleaning person and will hide in my room while they clean. Then I pay them, smile and say thank you. I just deal with things as best as I can. I don't judge myself during times like this and when I know of others including members here who are struggling, I can empathize and I don't judge. I really do understand depression. Hugs if wanted.

Jellybeanery wrote:I listen to music all day. I also play The Sims 2 - this has been my coping mechanism for several years. Although if my depression gets really bad, I have no interest in playing it.

This too is one if my coping methods. Sims 2, 3, and 4. They're life simulation video games, in case anyone is unaware. I create my boyfriend and I, we get married, get good jobs, get a house, and live life. In Sims 2 and 3, I found it incredibly easy to get rich. Though my boyfriend and I and our family are worth 1.8 million in Sims 4, it took an incredibly long time to get there.

I'm babbling, excuse me.

As for other coping methods, I use classical and dancing music to relax. This helps with mania and depression, but not psychosis. With psychosis, only my medication helps me.

What helps me with depression is Just having someone to talk to. Generally, I live with my boyfriend. I have gotten him awake just to talk to him and so he's with me.

Hi, for me my coping mechanisms are different depending on how severe my depression is at the moment. When it’s really bad, I can't do the usual things that most people say to do (exercise, walk, cook, read, ect.). How I deal with it is very similar to quietgirl’s post in that I do what I can to pass the time and hope it will go away. When it's really bad I sort of give myself a break by listening to music (it has to be the right type; what you feel like listening to at the time), or taking a long nap, or calling someone I trust who can deal with me at that moment. (For music, I suggest having different playlists based on different moods - happy, angry, sad, motivating). Also if it’s really bad it’s usually something that is wrong with my medication that’s causing it, so I email my doctor and am very specific about medication issues. However if the depression is more manageable I will try to go outside if it’s sunny, hang out with people, clean, go on these forums, play a computer game (For me it's Zelda and the Myst sequel).

Diagnosis: Bipolar (mostly depression)
Medications:
Lamictal 350mg
Latuda 20mg
Adderall 20mg
Klonipin .5mg
Wellbutrin 300mg