Post: #101

Cutting gluten and hitting the gym again cured my depression. Every man should go to the gym at least twice a week. Getting lax when you have a Fb, gf or wife, is the worst thing one can do. Never stop growing!

Post: #102

Interestingly enough. I find myself thinking more and more about depression. Nah, I'm not depressed, but I find myself musing on the root causes of the depression I experience for much of my early life.

I think I've mostly narrowed it down to a lack of movement (physical and emotional) as the cause. I notice that whenever I'm not training hard and working hard, I'm not happy. I recently started working 2 jobs and I'm at my happiest despite not having much time to do other things. People look at me like i'm crazy when I tell them about all these crazy plans I have for all the money I'm going to be making down the line, but it just makes me happy. The money isn't really what does it for me though, it's mostly the fact that I'm doing things.

I notice this in my father and grandfather, too. My gramps is pushing 80 and still doing side jobs with carpentry and other stuff. I suspect it's just encoded into the male genome to hustle, work or strive.

Post: #103

Fortis, if I may follow through with your thought... what if you had a different sort of job, one that involved sitting down at the PC all day (or laptop) cranking out ebooks or code or websites and what have you, hustling and making 5-10 grand per month. Would you still feel as happy as you would doing carpentry, or do you have to have one of the traditional physically demanding jobs that seem to stop depression dead in it's tracks?

Post: #104

(04-22-2018 11:37 AM)Soothesayer Wrote:  Fortis, if I may follow through with your thought... what if you had a different sort of job, one that involved sitting down at the PC all day (or laptop) cranking out ebooks or code or websites and what have you, hustling and making 5-10 grand per month. Would you still feel as happy as you would doing carpentry, or do you have to have one of the traditional physically demanding jobs that seem to stop depression dead in it's tracks?

I work part time as a gardener. It's very good for my mood. End of the day I feel quite exhausted and tired, but mentally good. It's very good for the mind to do physical jobs that don't require much mental effort. At least to have some time where you allocate to this kind of work.

I noticed that the earlier I wake up, the happier I feel during the day. If I snooze past a certain time I generally wake up feeling slow, lethargic, tired and you guessed, not so happy.

The difference for me is quite pronounced. I'm not sure whether there is any biological mechanism at play or whether simply waking up early you know you have all this time to make something of the day, compared to waking up late and already feeling you have lost time you can't get back. The two paths create very different attitudes and moods.

Post: #105

What helped me cope with depression was noticing the positive/good things in my life that I was overlooking. Some of the things I noticed was that I was in good physical health, had amazing friends, and a loving relationship with my family. I felt proud about these things. Gradually I started to dwell only on those thoughts.

So you can also find some positive things in your life(it could be anything and it doesn't matter how small it is), be proud of them and put your thoughts there.

Post: #106

the herb rhodiola really helps for me but you can't take it to often or build a tolerance. I use it once a week as a tincture 5ML in the morning. way more productive days I take it.

Post: #107

We all know this from our own experience but the media has been full of reports of a new study that has proven that....guess what...

Strength training is a cure for depression.

Who'd have guessed?

Post: #108

I recently spent some months out of gym because of a shoulder injury. Got fucking depressed.

Started doing leg machines every other day without fail a few months ago. No longer depressed.

Make sure you are living an anabolic (testosterone boosting) lifestyle.

Also try to accomplish at least 1 thing every day. Even if it's just lifting, cleaning the pad, a couple approaches.

Post: #109

The thing people call "depression" is rarely clinical depression.

If you're clinically depressed, you'll never, ever, make it to the gym.

Post: #110

(05-14-2018 11:49 PM)Dulceácido Wrote:  The thing people call "depression" is rarely clinical depression.

If you're clinically depressed, you'll never, ever, make it to the gym.

There's more than one kind of depression.

There's the kind where you stay in bed for a whole year (sleeping eighteen hours a day), and there's the kind where you have energy to function day by day but can't stop thinking about killing yourself. You just want to die.

Variants exist in between either, with different subtypes (psychosis, paranoia, and delusions can manifest) but as a rule of thumb this is usually how it presents.

I think weightlifting would help #1 but maybe not #2. When you sleep constantly you drain the body of dopamine, with chronic low body dopamine comes more fatigue, so it's a vicious cycle. Nicotine, caffeine, sugary treats, dietary fat, etc; are all good at increasing dopamine but tend to deplete it in the long term. People prone to this variety of depression should stay the hell away from all stimulants, big insulin spikes, possibly gluten, and junk food (especially aspartame - known serotonin disruptor) for the sake of their long term health.

It's not entirely clear what causes depression but while most people think it's a serotonin imbalance, treating symptoms of low dopamine seems to resolve depression in a lot of cases. Heavy weightlifting and proper diet, along with sunlight, clean water, and cold showers tend to treat it pretty well.

Post: #111

(05-15-2018 12:55 AM)flanders Wrote:  

(05-14-2018 11:49 PM)Dulceácido Wrote:  The thing people call "depression" is rarely clinical depression.

If you're clinically depressed, you'll never, ever, make it to the gym.

There's more than one kind of depression.

There's the kind where you stay in bed for a whole year (sleeping eighteen hours a day), and there's the kind where you have energy to function day by day but can't stop thinking about killing yourself. You just want to die.

Variants exist in between either, with different subtypes (psychosis, paranoia, and delusions can manifest) but as a rule of thumb this is usually how it presents.

I think weightlifting would help #1 but maybe not #2. When you sleep constantly you drain the body of dopamine, with chronic low body dopamine comes more fatigue, so it's a vicious cycle. Nicotine, caffeine, sugary treats, dietary fat, etc; are all good at increasing dopamine but tend to deplete it in the long term. People prone to this variety of depression should stay the hell away from all stimulants, big insulin spikes, possibly gluten, and junk food (especially aspartame - known serotonin disruptor) for the sake of their long term health.

It's not entirely clear what causes depression but while most people think it's a serotonin imbalance, treating symptoms of low dopamine seems to resolve depression in a lot of cases. Heavy weightlifting and proper diet, along with sunlight, clean water, and cold showers tend to treat it pretty well.

Agreed.

Some people have a "bad day" or a "bad week" and say they are depressed. That's not depression. That's just a mood or a funk.

I've worked in hospitals with veterans who are literally, and clinically depressed. They can't leave their beds. They shit themselves and lie in feces.

They need severe treatment and constant care. It's not something you can just "get over" by going to gym. It's years of therapy and usually a dopamine modulating drug to start things off.

Post: #112

Work on yourself, your career, your self-confidence as a masculine man. You can only lie to yourself so much. But ultimately if you're a buff guy who works out, trained in self-defense, can knock someone out if you need to- then yeah you "are" a force to be reckoned with. It will help you be more confident as a man, and as a person. That being said, doesn't mean by being a buff mma game automatically attracts pussy, you still need to learn game

Post: #113

I dealt with depression for a long time. I suspect the root of it was being in a unhappy relationship where I felt trapped. I ended up having a nervous breakdown and was in bed for almost half a year. I didnt care about anything. I was put on SSRI meds, felt like a ghost. The GF was happy, she liked the new me, the zombie.

I decided one day to say fuck it, and quit taking the meds. I gathered the nerve to leave, it was like thinking about detonating an atomic bomb. For a long time I didn´t even know who I was. Getting my shit together, working out, running, swimming got me on the right track.

When my confidence grew, pussy came. I started feeling even better. Yes, from time to time I could slip a bit and fall back into depression. Then I started taking Testosterone and HGH (I´m close to 40). After that stuff started kicking in I feel there is nothing that can put me back into that hole.

Post: #114

I've been super depressed after my divorce (about a year ago, 14 year relationship, 10 year marriage) and even now, nothing really seemed to help but just letting time pass. Have absolutely no interest in dating or getting physical with a woman and this point, but I know that won't last forever, nothing ever does.

Time with family and friends is super important, but the effect is very temporary for me. I just know it's going to take X number of days waking up with that sick and yucky feeling in my gut having dreamt about us the night before. For me, there is no fast forward button, just time. But then again I'm normally not a depressive person. YMMV

As Neil Peart put it "..Always hopeful yet discontent. He knows changes aren't permanent. But change is"

Also wanted to add to MrMojoRisin's comment above. I started TRT last year and it was a life changer ( 200mg /week Test Cypionate) - Libido, energy, mood etc. have returned, although still not the desire for actually spending any time at all investing in dating or a relationship. Joint pain has diminished as well.

Post: #115

I was very depressed as a teenager for a variety of reasons, but as I've gotten older I've become much happier. I still go through periods where I feel down, but I get over them quickly.

I don't think that there is a panacea for depression, it's really a multi-step approach to every aspect of your life. I can write about what has worked for me.

1) I (nearly) completely stopped drinking and smoking pot. I will still have a few drinks here, but back when I was a teenager and in my early 20s in was a crush. I noticed that I'd feel more depressed after some heavy nights of drinking. Alcohol had a major depressive effect on me, so I just decided to cut it out. In terms of weed, I was never a heavy user but it seemed to rob me of my motivation so I stopped that as well.

2) I replaced those outside substances with heavy exercise. I got heavily into martial arts and lifting. This was a game changer for me and I have kept up this routine for over a decade.

3) Meditation and philosophical changes. Through meditation you gain the knowledge that nothing is permanent, so when you feel depressed you understand that it is temporary and will pass like anything else. This can be explained in words, but you really need to fulfill the practice so that your body understands it.

Philosophical and belief changes are more subtle, but this means looking at your common cognitive distortions and fixing those beliefs. Read the thread on here about Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and if necessary see a REBT therapist.

4) Related to 3 is just an acceptance of reality. That's why outside substances (or outside anything for that matter) don't lead to long term satisfaction. You must accept reality or it will automatically work against you. True satisfaction can only come from within yourself. It's important to have your basic needs met, but once you are reaching a 1st world level of comfort, that baseline level of happiness will remain stable, no matter what you accomplish.

5) Having goals and movement. Plan your day and move, don't stay in the same place for too long. I notice that if I'm just hanging out at home alone for a while, I tend to overthink and get into funks.

6) You also need to have goals that you consider loftier than just gaining material possessions/lots of money and nailing women. Those goals can be fun to pursue, but after a while you need a bigger vision.

7) Do something to help the society and people around you. If you have a bad relationship with your immediate family, try to repair that first because that will impact everything that you do. We don't speak much about this aspect on these boards, but legitimately helping others can bring you great satisfaction. I personally like to do things in the community, but it can be as simple as writing a post like this one that you think others will benefit from.

Post: #116

Stay up late reading this forum.

Post: #117

I have a mild form of depression...I blame the abnormal culture in the U.S., not genetics.

Thankfully it does not stop me from working a job or gaming women or having a normal life. I just feel sad sometimes.

Post: #118

I've been dealing with this thing since I'm 13 years old. Now I'm 26. Two days ago I had a depressive episode. I was thinking on suicide and stuff like that for an entire day. I had to enforce control of my own thoughts. Buddism and spirituality in general has allowed me to overcome these negative thoughts. Here's a quote from Buddha that always helps me to realise even when I forget, that I'm the only one with the power to save myself.

"To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him."

Post: #119

I highly recommend any guys dealing with anxiety/depression to see a therapist. I am currently seeing one and it has made a world of a difference!

Small, basic lifestyle changes such as sleeping early and waking up early (set sleep schedule) can change everything.

Post: #120

Sometimes that is not enough. You have to relentlessly try every vitamin, diet, and stratagy. But what you suggested above is an amazing start.

Depression comes from two sources, flawed thinking and or another undetected health issue that manifest its self as depression, such as B-12 or magnesium defiency. I urge everyone who struggles with depression to keep digging to the root of it untill it is 100 percent better. That’s what I have promised myself. And that’s the best thing you can do!!

Post: #121

(04-22-2018 11:37 AM)Soothesayer Wrote:  Fortis, if I may follow through with your thought... what if you had a different sort of job, one that involved sitting down at the PC all day (or laptop) cranking out ebooks or code or websites and what have you, hustling and making 5-10 grand per month. Would you still feel as happy as you would doing carpentry, or do you have to have one of the traditional physically demanding jobs that seem to stop depression dead in it's tracks?

Hey sorry, Soothe, I actually didn't see this post.

Honestly, I do not know. I'm slowly working towards a location-independent lifestyle and I do wonder how it will affect my mood. I'm very antsy and I hate sitting down.

It's quite a contrast from how I was growing up. I was a massive nerd growing up and I practically grew up in front of a screen. Maybe there are some really active, athletic guys who are depressed and find that doing something contemplative like reading and writing helps alleviate their symptoms? I really cannot say. You pose a great question.

I could consult family history for this.

My dad definitely gets a bit down, but it's mostly during the slow seasons where he doesn't have much work (he's sitting and goofing off all day). My dad's at his saltiest when he's not working, even though he technically doesn't need to work anymore. He actually took up gardening (another physical activity) and he's a lot happier as a result.

I've never seen my grandfather exhibit symptoms of depression, but that man never stops moving. It's ridiculous.

I spend 50% of my time on my feet because of work and the other 50% on my ass resting. I track my steps in a day and I get anywhere from 7k-10k a day because I'm always moving around. I work as an English teacher in a public school. I find that my classes are better and I'm just a better teacher when I'm moving around the classroom. On days where I feel sick and can't move around too much my classes are always horrible. The kids feel my vibe and hate it.

If I could have it my way, I probably would only work on my feet. I just feel better that way.

I think that's possibly why I got so into the gym. It was the only way to get my motor revving and my body moving.

Honestly, I wish I had followed in the footsteps of my father and grandfather and worked an artisan-style job. I'm very envious of anyone who gets to make things for a living. Teaching is fun, but all my friends who have stonework and woodwork jobs just have a certain sense of pride that I don't see often.

Post: #122

Fortis,

You aren't 80 years old. You could still do a craft if that's what you wanted.

https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcr...0143117467

Post: #123

Having to interact with American/British/Australian/Canadian women on a daily basis will make any normal man at least slightly depressed

Post: #124

I started suffering depression (More like bouts of pent up anger and frustration) after my friends murder and having domestic issues with my family. My past is royally royally fucked up and as much as I'd like to have a positive outlook on life, I often get weighed down my my own spiritual deadness and my constant black-pilled analyzing of everything. I've been to hell and back in many ways and I'm not sure I can ever go back to the happy care free days of before.

With that said, here's how I manage my negative mindset/ feelings.

- Sex at least once a week (I mostly hire escorts as they're my favorite)
-Exercise and healthy diet(Paleo - Meat, plant and fat based)
- Sleep
- I work at a Sales job it's important for me to avoid certain employees I work with who I know will trigger my anger or stress by getting in confrontations with them. My former boss was a complete power-craving sadist. He got off on yelling at people. I get through the day easy peasy when I can avoid him.
-Limit social media usage (You end up comparing your lives to others and there's always someone who looks like they have more then you.)
-Limit internet usage (Take a break from 4chan, reddit, etc)
- Find hobbies your passionate about (For example, I'm a big film buff. I watch a few films a week. I used to write for my college paper and I did a lot of journalist work as someone who interviewed directors/ actresses/ actors, as well as reviewing movies. That became a personal hobby for me and during my 5 years at Uni I probably wrote of novels worth of material for my college paper.
- Rough play (Sports, wrestling,contact based games)
-Avoid isolation (i.e dark room where you're just fapping to porn and testing your limits watching morbid gore videos) but at the same time avoid superficial clique crowds with members who aim to destroy your self-esteem. Too large a social circle and it's always a battle as to who can be at the top of the dominance hierarchy. Lots of back stabbing, gossip, betrayal and overall meanness. Steer clear of fake friends.

Post: #125

(11-17-2018 05:47 PM)Echovoid_52 Wrote:  -Limit social media usage (You end up comparing your lives to others and there's always someone who looks like they have more then you.)
-Limit internet usage (Take a break from 4chan, reddit, etc)

+1. Staying off social media helps 100%