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If I feel kind of low in my life sometimes---I just have to get out of the house and do something!!! (unless I am with family or friends) Being active and around people always puts me in a better mood!---unless I am around someone that I do not get along with!

The best way to stay depressed is to drink alcohol and watch bad TV like Glen Beck or other how bad the world is shows. If you focus on what is bothering you while drinking it helps also. Even better hang out with other depressed people and drink with them. I have been there and done all of those things. Of course after a while I get tired of it and quit drinking and get out of the house and do things I enjoy doing. Next thing I know I am up and moving toward solutions of my problems that made me depressed in the first place. The main trick is to fake it until you make it.

Good one alaskainlv! Alcohol is a depressant and doubly so if combined with some bad TV. One of the programs that although somewhat interesting is downright depressing is called "Intervention". Just watching people's lives destroyed by crystal meth sends my mood in a downward spiral. I think some depressed people watch these shows thinking it will make them feel better if they see someone who is in worst shape than they are. But, I think it is more likely to make a person feel even worse.

Glenn Beck, bad TV????? Aw c'mon. I find him humorous and enlightening. Anyway, if you're not fulfilling your purpose or calling, then you'll remain depressed. If you aren't doing something for someone else and getting yourself out of your own way, you'll stay depressed. I think it's uplifting to have a pet as well. They are such comfort creatures.

A good way to stay depressed and lonely is to dwell on: all one's perceived faults or take other people's values and standards of how one should look and be; dwell on every single bad experience they have had in their life; think of all the reasons why not to trust another person; get on the computer and find a group of people who are similarly down and only see the negative things going on in this world and elicit 'ain't it awful' and 'how imperfect are you?" responses from others. This can be bring someone down if they were up that day, for sure.

Getting out of the house, doing something one has always wanted to try, getting out with friends who are positive and active can help turn one's day into a bright one and start kicking depression. When someone tries to elicit your response to such questions as above, ignore them, pass on by the post and go to another forum if need be.

When home, turn on music that you enjoy. Dance a bit every day. Call someone who gives you a lift and a laugh. But get up, get out and do!

Good ones Gotham! To that I might add comparing what you have to what others have ie: love, companionship, house, car, health you name it. The list could be endless. Also sitting alone a lot in dim lit rooms especially if you live in a cold climate. Not taking care of your basic needs like dental work, chronic pain, personal hygiene etc. And one of the biggest "downers" is believing that nothing in your life will ever change - that it's all downhill from here.

Just get out of the house-every day-go to the store-to the bank-somewhere. I have a big grocery store right across the street-I go probably 4 times per week-just buy a little at a time-now I started walking over and back-a little exercise doesn't hurt. Make a game out of getting the specials.

'Getting out of your own way' - I like that, Mtngirl. And it is so true. We are really our own worst enemy when it comes to this stuff.

And I think what Ana says about comparing our situation to that of others is another biggie. Our first year on the road in the RV, twelve years ago, I was enjoying myself immensely. It came Christmas time and this little NJ gal found herself in Alabama. I loved it there, went shopping and sent a big box of gifts back to the family in NJ. Then the evening of the 23rd, we were in town and as we drove by the houses all decorated and I looked at the lovely glow of the interior lights, I got all depressed thinking, 'Everybody has a home and a family and they are all together but me. Poor me.'

I had forgotten that I CHOSE this, to be away from my family, to be on the road, and that ten minutes before I was loving it. What changed? NOTHING. Just my perception of things. I quickly adjusted my attitude and perception, and got to feeling good again.

Life --- all of life -- is how we look at it, and the result of our choices.