Who has SA but no depression?

What keeps you, or has kept you, from developing depression? Or how have you pulled yourself out of depression?

Be both general and specific.
Example: "People, I hang out with friends every Friday", Thankyou!

depression i think is linked with frustration + hopelessness or givin up.
fear and anger is linked with frustration + forcing it.

rarely do i really fall into depression becoz im in that fear and anger category.

being sad is more peaceful than being angry or scared. its just that giving up and sinking into depression has many moreconsequences to me than getting angry and forcing it, so when life gets out of hand, its fear, anger, or hate that gets me through it until i get back to shallower waters.. or perhaps, i 'am' sorta depressed but the anger masks it

I've had SA for almost 4 years and I've never had depression. I'm not really sure why. I think i'm just a happy person. I do hang out with my friends a lot and every time I do they always make me laugh and make me happy so that could be why.

I have some really down days but I don't have depression. I have a pretty good life so far as I'm still under 18 and have a good family life with holidays and stuff.

Seems a lot of the time I just like being on my own and I'm relieved I don't have to put up with **** like friend fights or break-ups.

So maybe 'taking pleasure in the misery of others' applies here

EscapeArtist said:

Or how have you pulled yourself out of depression?

Click to expand...

• Having people to safely talk it all out with or to, holding it inside just allows it to fester
• Allowing an emotional/chemical release through crying
• Keeping a check on bad thinking patterns
• Making sure I get enough quiet & alone space
• Having a hobby type of activity
• Staying physically active, outside in sunlight
• Remembering that it will pass
• Music, music, music - but be careful what you choose, its easy to go for the miserable songs and worsen things
• Spending time with pets
• Staying in the now - drop mulling over past regrets and fickle future fears
• Eating good food
• Getting enough sleep, regular sleep
• Planning interesting stuff to do
• Watching a good movie
• Having a shower every day and keeping good general hygiene
• Achieving at least one small thing each day
• Having free days, guiltless days of no study/work/job hunting, including no thinking about these
• Making a change to a routine, eg walk a different route, go to another shop
• Keep away from telly news and newspapers, which tend to funnel negative & depressing news items

I don't have severe depression, but I do have mild depression.

I think what keeps it from being severe or hurting myself is that: I don't drink at all, I don't do drugs. Social phobia actually keeps me from hurting myself at times- like I know if I tried to crash my car- chances are that I would end up surviving and have to explain to my family/police/paramedics what happened, if I had scars people could ask or notice and it would cause more attention to myself.

I haven't been abused.

I have a job- having a job helps me because I can mentally complain about my crappy job rather than focus on my negative thoughts.

I sleep with the lights on- Im not afraid of the dark, but when everything is quiet and calm- the negative voices creep in and tell me how much better I would be dead.

To be honest, I don't understand how a person could have sa and not depression too.

I also write out my feelings, and have for years, and I take into account that my feelings can be melodramatic- i recognize that i have an anger problem (which i've heard said that depression is anger turned inwards). I dont blame the world for not understanding me or me not fitting in- i recognize that the burden is on me to understand others. I know i don't fit in on this website, but I post here anyways... i think the same is for life, it's ok to be here anyways.

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^ and I think thats a really good post, phocas!