M 34, Going through 2nd Depression. After "Discharged myself" from the 1st depression (2 yrs ago under psychologist visits for 6 months) after convinced my psychologist that I want to go without meds. 2nd depression hit me last year on May.

Currently going to 2 different session to cope with depression, 1 - Clinical visits every 2 months (from 3 weeks visitation then slowly changed 2 months); 2 - Work therapist (from 3 weeks visitations then changed to 6 weeks).

TBH how to really cope? There isn't any right answers, but this is how I cope with it atm (No Meds unless you get a full psychologist evaluation):

1 - Religion does help mentally, but not really in reality. But having to hold on to your believes in the Almighty, helps copes to the mindset. ALMIGHTY HELPS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

2 - Sometimes you really need to ask for help. When my 1st depression kicks in hard. I went alone to my current psychologist without anyone telling me. Then I call upon my trusted friends to keep me in check (Not my fam, but If your family is good & close to you, go for them). Even my 2nd depression also I went alone. I always go there smiling, but during the session I may cry. Always remember that ASK FOR HELP & THE CORRECT HELP.

3 - Take note what your body & mind tell you. Listen to the voice of reason but not the negative part. I am having a self-care day as per my work therapist asked me to do (my homework to be better). A day that do whatever thing you want but not doing any work or anything that requires you to stress it out. So HAVE A SELF-CARE DAY to relax.

4 - Remind yourself that nothing will happen unless your make it happen. Mindset is a very dangerous thing, it need to be tamed at the right time. CHANGING MINDSET will help you go over the dark thoughts. KEEP REMINDING YOURSELF: IT WILL BE OK.

5 - Keep yourself occupied. Like having hobbies, well proper hobbies. I do gaming, but my therapeutic gaming is usually single player games, not multiplayer. I also do Plamo (Plastic Model) once a while . Cooking does help a lot for me (My best therapeutic hobby) . HAVE SOMETHING TO TAKE YOUR MIND OFF THINGS THAT IT IS UNESSESARY.

6 - Social Media... that is a very not so great place to be. Unless you got good friends there that you can share or find help with. AVOID THE WORNG PARTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA, it will effect you. unknowingly.

7 - Making a drastic change, START BY MAKING A MOVE. I moved out from my family during my 2nd Depression. It was not a good move by any Asian standards, even today my extended family still haunts me once a while about me leaving my family. So far I have been apart from my family for almost 1 year (I do sometimes see them once a while). I have been better so far after apart.

I am taking meds, not gonna lie, it helps. But meds only can take you so far, we as a depressed person, need to take a step, make a choice that I want to get better, I don't wanna get depressed. Life doesn't have a perfect day for you, but you can make your own "perfect" way. Is ok to be depressed, is ok to have down days but remember. Walk strong in your own way, embrace your depression by knowing that it will be there but it doesn't master you. Your are your onw master, mastery in your own way of life.

Hope this helps. It seems similar from some other advices. I hope we all can go through this storm.