[bobfromhuddle]

I had issues with depression when I was younger. Self-harm, severe depression, suicide attempts, the whole gamut. Wasn't hospitalised, but that was the next step.

Looking back on it from my thirties, I've come to the conclusion that most of my problem was disturbed sleep patterns, and the rest was unhealthy thought patterns that became self-perpetuating.

Medication didn't help me in the slightest, just made me worse. Getting some sleep and engaging with the world around me is what made all the difference. I'm skeptical of the value of anti-depressants, and some of the side-effects are deeply troubling.

The problem is that when I was in the midst of a depressive episode, I wasn't capable of fixing those things. Telling a depressed person that they just need to think happier thoughts, get some sleep, take a bath, go for a walk is utterly pointless.

[d10r]

Can you elaborate on "disturbed sleep patterns"? In my case lack of sleep actually results in better mood, but is not a sustainable strategy.

[dsego]

lack of sleep causes euphoria (endorphins I think, not sure). but messed up sleeping is related to mental issues.

[nylonstrung]

This is because it resets the default mode network. Luckily other things do as well.