What do atheists do to feel better when they're sad?

[Cell]

The question in the subject has become somewhat important for me.

I'm just dealing with a lot of stuff and trying to stave off the idea of suicide. So I would like to know how others who don't necessarily place faith in deities cope with sadness.

Are there any psychiatrists here?

[Rasler]

As an Atheist, I find no relief in a divine being. I find that doctor-prescribed antidepressants do the trcik much better than any god could ever do for me.

[James D.]

Originally Posted by Cell

I'm just dealing with a lot of stuff and trying to stave off the idea of suicide.

Lulz. Just stop being suicidal.

Not all atheists believe in the same life choices. I believe in doing what I want, so when I am depressed, I do what I want. Religious people do the same thing, because Jesus doesn't come down that often.

Of course, an atheist would not have any problems committing suicide. So there is that angle, as well.

[Kratos]

Originally Posted by Cell

The question in the subject has become somewhat important for me.

I'm just dealing with a lot of stuff and trying to stave off the idea of suicide. So I would like to know how others who don't necessarily place faith in deities cope with sadness.

Are there any psychiatrists here?

Please, do not even think about committing suicide. I've had hard problems before, but I usually just think of the good things in my life. Then if that doesn't work, I turn to my family to comfort me. I hope what I suggested helps, I don't want you to committe suicide.

[Chez Daja]

This thread is by no means an intellectual discussion, so I'm moving it to General Chat.

I have no beliefs, yet have suffered types of depression, and just general sadness.

I'm a teenager; this is normal. I just have it worse than others. And before you say I don't know how you mean; I do. I've had a lot of problems in the past, AND have been severely suicidal.

That was last year. I still ocassionally drift into a suicidal state, but I relieve my pain by certain means. (I'm not going to specify).

I have many scars up my right wrist. I am neither ashamed nor proud of them, and I don't believe depression to be an emo trait, unless it's painfully forced.

Just sit down, listen to a happy song and try to think of something good. If the depression gets worse, I wouldn't recommend mood stabilizers; mine messed me around and I ended up waking the next day with a giant gash in my arm, luckily not massively deep. (They seemed to have a reverse effect that I didn't quite remember doing.)

You could dance, too. Even if it sounds stupid, it actually works. I have a close friend to thank for that latter advise.

[Storm]

I personally don't suggest depending on anti-depressants, since they can sometimes cause long-term depression. However if you are really feeling suicidal in the worst sense, I guess its a good thing to go for.

I don't suffer from depression, so I have little to say on the matter. I have felt depressed a couple of times but not in a severe case, and my Stepdad suffers from depression and used to have to take medication. Luckily its nowhere near as bad anymore. I suggest seeking advice from a psychiatrist, maybe asking about any non-drug solutions. Talking about your problems to someone who knows how you feel is often a good first step, and hopefully you will find a solution that works for you.

[Jin]

I'm really more agnostic than atheist, but when I'm depressed, I play a game, watch a movie or see what's on television. That's on a good day. On a bad day, I tend to brood about things. Not the best choice as it ends up making the problem seem worse than it is, but it gives me something to do. I've never considered suicide because it just seems illogical to me. Unless you're the type of person who always chooses the gray option and experiences no pleasure or pain, it doesn't make sense to take the gray, indifferent path that is suicide. It really has nothing to do with atheism though; I think most religious people are just as afraid of dying or living with pain as the non religious.

[Malahk Musashi]

I always make it a point to find the slightest bit of humor in whatever trouble may be plaguing me. Such as when my Pops, who I was very close to (also a Catholic Priest... living in sin with my grandma...) died, I just remembered all the funny things he used to say, and how great he was to be around. Don't get me wrong, I was devastated when he died, but finding something pleasant amongst all the turmoil made it passable. Perhaps you should try to find the humor in your situation?

[Fishie]

Things to do to not think about committing suicide is try thinking positive about something good in your life. Trust me, I've been through a lot of shit and suicide is a bas option of dealing with pain. I recommend though if you should seek a counselor for help or talk to a good friend you trust alot about the things you or going through.

From experience too I've dealt with depression and I still feel that way at times, but I've haven't felt suicidal for a few years now. The thing I learned is you shouldn't let bad things that happen or you experience get to you. I'm not saying that you should avoid it forever and not deal with it, but when there's a will there's a way. Things will get better in your life and always keep your head up and stay strong when times are rough. Whatever you're going through I hope you find the strength to overcome it in a healthy way not not think drastically about killing yourself because its not the answer to solve you problems.

Try going for a walk, read a book, go out and do some physical activities, talk to some one you trust about this, just whatever you do DON'T KILL YOURSELF!!! If you ever need to talk send me a PM anytime too cuz I know how you feel and I don't want you to feel that way.

[Nin`]

Remind yourself of all the reasons that life is really valuable and that awareness is ultimately what is valuable about life. Listen to music. Watch a comedy or a favorite show. Get drunk. Get laid. Watch the stars. Listen to the surf - or the laugh or cry of a child. Smell an apple, a rose. Eat a magnificent meal. Throw a party. Finding something which makes you laugh is also a very good remedy (if not one of the best) which I would highly recommend. Indulge yourself in simple pleasures which appeal to you. Sorrow is a solitary vice, quickly dispelled by pleasant company.

If your troubles are like those shared by most of us, then they are temporary. Like life itself. I'm sure that in your life you have previously experienced troubles - and overcome them, no matter how insurmountable they seemed until they were past. Remind yourself that, in your own experience, troubles have a tendency to look smaller in the rear window of time than stared at head on. It's just that next time we don't remember it until it too is passed.

If all other inspiration fails you, I suggest you engage in displacement activity, and enjoy what life you have for as long as you can. We each have only one life, and according to many long dead men of genius, their lives were much too short to accomplish what they had hoped no matter how much they accomplished - even without artificially trimming it to some arbitrary size simply because they didn't see a simple solution to whatever troubles seem to beset them until they were past.

If all else fails, comfort yourself with the thought that life is temporary and our bodies fragile. Nobody bears too heavy a burden for too long. That way leads to death. So if you are not dying from your troubles, they are not too heavy.

Please don't waste yours.

Nin

PS I'm not a medical professional, and the foregoing is not advice. If you are not in the US, see a medical professional and get appropriate medication and treatment if you can. Modern medication and treatment means that it is no longer obligatory to commit suicide simply due to depression. In the US seeing a medical professional for what are usually diagnosed as psychiatric problems can lead to denial of coverage and other horrid things. So the suggestions here might vary depending on location. Caveat emptor and DO NOT DRINK THE KOOLAIDE. This has been a public service announce-mint, the best mints available.

[OmniTense]

Originally Posted by Nin`

Remind yourself of all the reasons that life is really valuable and that awareness is ultimately what is valuable about life. Listen to music. Watch a comedy or a favorite show. Get drunk. Get laid. Watch the stars. Listen to the surf - or the laugh or cry of a child. Smell an apple, a rose. Eat a magnificent meal. Throw a party. Finding something which makes you laugh is also a very good remedy (if not one of the best) which I would highly recommend. Indulge yourself in simple pleasures which appeal to you. Sorrow is a solitary vice, quickly dispelled by pleasant company.

If your troubles are like those shared by most of us, then they are temporary. Like life itself. I'm sure that in your life you have previously experienced troubles - and overcome them, no matter how insurmountable they seemed until they were past. Remind yourself that, in your own experience, troubles have a tendency to look smaller in the rear window of time than stared at head on. It's just that next time we don't remember it until it too is passed.

Positively admirable, Nin!

He has it to a "T". In times of depression, no matter what it is related to, just do something!

Find something!

Chemically, the best answer is to exercise. Exercise releases opiod proteins(mostly endorphins) which cause short periods of euphoria that can treat depression better than most prescriptions.　


But please! Suicide will not solve anything; it will just deprive you of one of the most wonderous experiences that you are entitled to.

[Jin]

Actually it does solve something. It solves the problem of being able to feel pain, at least in an earthly sense. I'm not saying to go ahead or anything, as I'm personally against it, but I get bored seeing the same generic responses to this (mine included). In the end it comes down to a choice. Do you want to live with pain to feel joy, or do you want to sacrifice joy to be without pain? There's no right or wrong answer, but there is a short sighted answer and considering you probably aren't depressed on account of being forced to work at gunpoint in some Chinese sweat shop, suicide in this case is most likely in that short sighted catagory. Even if you put it down to absolute random probabilites, things will most likely get better at some point. If you don't want to wait or don't think it's worth it to, then don't, but there's a good chance that you could miss out on some fun.