StarTracker - much already said, but in sum -

 

1. See a professional, it’s amazing what kind of change good therapy can bring.

 

2. Drive a Big Bike, or engage in other activities which require 100% concentration and generate dopamine.

 

3. Have good sex. Any man with a bad sex life SHOULD BE depressed, Western culture has just taught us to think otherwise. Talk it through with the missus, but don’t take no for an answer. Paying a bar girl is not a great solution. Find a woman who wants to ride that big bike with you.

 

4. Replace drinking with work, if you can. Anything where you have to show up somewhere or meet regular deadlines. Even volunteering, where you are making a promise to show up and people depend on you. Being active with purpose erases depression.

 

5. If you have to drink, do it in the morning, and keep your brain working while you do. Read, debate, shoot pool, throw darts, whatever.

 

6. Be wary of meds. They affect each person differently, and doctors/therapists cannot be relied upon to know what’s best for you. Standard anti-depressants almost always trigger weight gain. Tramadol works great, and relieves all pain, but it’s an opioid.

 

7. Keep the kids in the middle of your life, but don’t make your burden their’s. Look for things to do with them other than homeowork, chores and TV.

 

God Bless,

 

ST

Zoloft is a miracle drug. It takes about a month to get the full effect, but you will be amazed at the results.

22 hours ago, Sheryl said:

there are different meds and takes some knowledge to select the best one for a particular patient)).

Sorry but I find many doctors over here just prescribe one of the many available, say go try this for three months, if it doesn't work, come back and we'll try another one, and another until we find one that DOES work. I have personally experienced this with blood pressure medication and prostate meds.....I actually showed the urologist the list of meds for shrinking the prostate which I got from Google, and he pointed to one and said 'try this'.

That is why you have to go to the big hospitals and not the cheap ones.  As I said I was suicidal in Canada and deeply depressed here but had nothing to do during the day.  I decided that enough was enough. I had had surgery done by BNH so figured that it was worth talking to them.  The doctor asked me my lifestyle and recommended meds based n what I was already taking.  He also pointed me in the right direction for counseling which was a godsend.

 

The worst thing you can do is sit at home and do nothing.  I actually got into teaching because I needed something to keep me going and that could be a positive in my life.

 

Yeah, your right teaching in Thai schools did not help me.  That is why i teach privately.

 

OP you say that you have kids.  Do they have friends?  If so offer to tutor them in English for like 100 an hour free does not work.

 

That will keep you busy and your mind working.

7 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I am not sure about the alcohol ban and prayer to god to bless people are going to help with depression.

forget the prayer thing, alcohol has everything to do with depression.

 

" While alcohol can have a very temporary positive impact on our mood, in the long term it can cause big problems for our mental health. It’s linked to a range of issues from depression and memory loss to suicide¹."

 

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health/

 

a non depressed person can drink socially, but even one drink can make a depressed person crash, especially the next day. 

 

If you you are fighting depression don't drink alcohol. 

 

And unfortunately some comments contain well meaning but unhelpful religious references which have nothing to do with depression.  

4 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

forget the prayer thing, alcohol has everything to do with depression.

 

" While alcohol can have a very temporary positive impact on our mood, in the long term it can cause big problems for our mental health. It’s linked to a range of issues from depression and memory loss to suicide¹."

 

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health/

 

a non depressed person can drink socially, but even one drink can make a depressed person crash, especially the next day. 

 

If you you are fighting depression don't drink alcohol. 

 

And unfortunately some comments contain well meaning but unhelpful religious references which have nothing to do with depression.  

You have misquoted me. That quote is not from me. 

6 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

people can have the best life, no serious issues or problems, yet they still can get depression. 

thats me!

12 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

You have misquoted me. That quote is not from me. 

sorry you are right... i feel depressed now.

Just now, NCC1701A said:

sorry you are right... i feel depressed now.

 No problem 

3 hours ago, SuperTed said:

3. Have good sex. Any man with a bad sex life SHOULD BE depressed, Western culture has just taught us to think otherwise. Talk it through with the missus, but don’t take no for an answer. Paying a bar girl is not a great solution. Find a woman who wants to ride that big bike with you.

I got a big bike and four girlfriends. my depression is under control with no meds except Viagra.

 

seriously this is true, massage is good too.

I had severe depression in home country, attempted suicide saved by barking dog and son.1no booze,2 exercise,3prescribed Zoloft,I took it for 2 years now I found I don't need anymore.some people get headaches from it but for me it was a wonder medication as previously stated. Hope you can get over this ,saying it mildly it is not a nice affliction.

www.bangkokpsychology.com

Please seek advice from a psychiatrist. The longer you leave depression untreated the more difficult it becomes to treat and achieve a full recovery. Most of the international hospitals have experts in the field that can be trusted. In Bangkok I have found Phra Ram 9 hospital to be excellent in other areas including neurology (and reasonably priced) and I would be confident this hospital's mental health section would be world class. I am a retired academic in the relevant field, but cannot offer formal advice.   

I feel for you, Brother! The root cause of depression is always biochemical.

 

You should get an extensive testing panel to cover every possible condition. Mine turned out to be Hashimoto's thyroiditis. So subclinical, it took four years of suffering before it was diagnosed.

 

Brain chemicals--antidepressants--are good but they usually take a couple of months to become effective. And the meds needed are different for everybody. For example, the SSRIs didn't work for me.

 

You need a responsible prescribing psychiatrist. Drink occasionally won't hurt your condition.