Coping Strategies for Dysthymia (Chronic Depression)

@teacatsandflowers

Hello, I just came from a doctor checkup on this day and, it's been believed by doctors that I have on-and-off dysthymia. 2015 going into this year it's been about as bad as it's ever been. As far as things things to help cope, really the idea for me is to maximize happiness and minimize stress, but in healthy ways. First I'm looking into weeding out things from my life that aren't doing any good (becoming attached to the internet and social media, trying to impress people and get everyone to like me, dwelling on past mistakes, relating to people who desert or ignore me and make me feel all alone, to name a few). And of course I try to spend time on things that are doing good in my life (listening to music and paying attention to all the notes and tones, turning to where the love IN coming from and in all it's forms, accepting every characteristic and flaw that makes up who I am, staying true to myself, things like that).

Obviously that's not a solution; reality is that life is not always a sunny blue sky and everything good. It's totally ok to feel down even when all is well in your life. Or when all is not well. Whatever the case may be. Those who remain with you every step of the way in the good times and bad are the ones way more worthy of being called a friend.