Any tips to help soothe depression

I just had three days of bad depression. I've decided that is simply unacceptable at my age, and has to be sorted out, rather than my usual technique of throwiing more cannabis at the problem. 

I found that I could easily list 21 different items that were "getting me down, A.K.A sources of personal frustration and lack of "agency") 

Further more 7 of them are new to me having picked them up in the previous 12 months!!

I now know why my increased feeling of agency and happiness caused by getting my diagnosis and insights into my autism 2 years ago.have stuttered and I am again falling into poor mental health.

I intend to take this list and do one of those crime some board things or a spreadsheet where I further analyse which issues are inter related, and how best to neutralise those, perhaps as a matter of priority. I'll also sort out the "easy meat" if there are any and hold off on those for the days when all seems to be failing, and I need a quick success. The intractable ones I will try and clearly identify, and ask for some divine intervention, whilst I focus on the ones I can do. 

Since making my list, I do a bit on one item per day anyway, until I have a better plan in place....

When I've proven it to work, and made myself happier, (which can be done, even I have had some moments of genuine innocent bliss in my life, and not all of them cat-related. I also remember a couple of days day when I flew the aeroplane perfectly and really enjoyed it, and a day spent in my bedroom with Andrea Rushton and a bottle of "Elizabethan" Mead)  then maybe it'll prove to be a useful tool, for others like my personal rationale for not doing yourself in, which I am told has worked for others as well as myself.  

Hope my little testimony is somewhat helpful. There are DEFINITELY learnable / transferrable workarounds available to some psychological issues and WE autists are very well placed to be pioneers, as well as sufferers in this area. We all help each other simply by our non-normal ability to describe these things, honestly and openly, which the normies have a GREAT deal of trouble with, I've noticed...

Hi there. I too have mental health problems and have found counselling overwhelmning. I think that for me medication helped - but I have bipolar 1 so it's more of an issue that I take meds. 

My family tend to stress me out (I am 50) so I don't tend to open up to them. So often it is a case of relying on myself and asking for help from mental health services when I need them.

I do a bit of mindfulness, self help and exercise. And have a sheet of advice from my psychiatrist that helps. I can post it here, if you think that would be useful for you.

It is a huge life event you are going through - be extra kind to yourself.

I just also wanted to say congratulations on your graduation - what did you study?

x Mrs Snooks

My experience (as an older person) is that the thought of therapy is exhausting, but if you get the right person, very much worthwhile. I see a great psychologist now, but I've seen two who were just ok but helped me through a couple of difficult periods, and two who were nice but a waste of time and money for me.  in other words - it's worthwhile when you get the right one but give them a try before committing.  Also, my lovely counsellor only charges the government rate (medicare in Australia) which is very unusual I would think - i.e. it costs me nothing.

Secondly, my counsellor told me that in my case the depression is probably a side effect of my anxiety.  I am not saying this is the case with you as I"m definitely not qualified to determine that.  But it's interesting to think about, because it's been helpful for me to think that way, tackling the anxiety and not focussing so much on the thought "I have depression'.  My counsellor never said I don't have depression, just that I should focus on the anxiety.  And as Luna says, exercise is good for both anyway.  Exercise is definitely important for me. 

PS: Therapy usually has a wait list anyway, at least it does here in Australia, so if you book in now you will have some time to get used to the idea.

When you get swept away by depression it can be hard to get back on your feet.

They reckon one of the best things for it is exercise, so maybe try to do a little exercise, just for 10 mins a day and see if that improves it. I've taken to going for a 10 minute walk each day and that improves my feelings.

Distractions are also good for depression, and anxiety too. Experiment with a few things - see what works for you.

Best of luck x

dunno, i just put up with it until it drove me to get a job, then when i got a job it went for a few months but came back and made me want to quit the job but i held on and the job does help in making it fade into the background a bit better and makes you able to take it day by day. plus all the positives the job brings helps too, the fact you gain money and you see your life progressing and you being able to get a home and all sorts kinda helps.