Intercepting bouts of depression?

[yeneb]

Hi all. I'm new here. Just joined. I've been dealing with anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. And as you can imagine, due to it never being addressed, it got worse and worse over time. I don't really want to go into my full story and stuff, at least not yet. But there is something I wanted to ask about, see if anyone had advice.

I think it's safe to say that everyones goal is to reach that point where depression or other issues aren't such a crippling thing. To reach that point where we experience high's and low's of a "normal" intensity. I mean, obviously life can't be happy all the time. But while that is my end goal, I could use some advice for the here and now. My current "baseline" is feeling like I'm managing to keep my head above water. Managing to swim a little bit closer to shore now and then. But "just about managing" is where I tend to be at. I have good days, and bad days. Good days like I said, swimming a bit closer to shore, bad days being sinking. It's those bad days I want advice on. I think that's why we're all on here I suppose.
But anyways, I don't know if it's the same for anyone else, but "bouts" of depression tend to sneak up on me. This might sound contradictory, but while I do feel worse, it's almost like I don't realise how it's escalating. I don't know if that's to do with the fact I've ignored things for most my life, meaning I don't really "pay attention" to how things are getting worse... But what I'm getting at is, bouts of depression sneak up on me. I'm there just trying to cope with things, focusing on other things, and then before I know it, I'm in "that" place again. Feeling helpless, turning self destructive etc... Does anyone have any advice on how to intercept that slide into "that" place before I hit the bottom? I know that being mindful prevents it, but I guess that's the thing. You aren't always prepared for that slide. Sometimes it sneaks up on you when you aren't being mindful. You can't be mindful 24/7, 365.
I don't know, maybe I'm asking/hoping for the impossible. But if anyone has any advice, anything they do, then I'd really appreciate the suggestions.

[breatheinandout]

Welcome! I know what you mean - don't know if there is an answer but I find this blog helpful. Especially the section about how our minds might emphasise the negative stuff. I'm not having a great weekend but reading it helped me.

http://www.sane.org.uk/how_you_can_help ... _blog/1473

[minniemoo]

Hey! Yes a mood diary was great for me when I was at my worst. I still use one now and can track my moods (turns out they are often in line with new moons and full moons and my hormones!). It means I can take it easy when i feel bad, and if I’m feeling very low I know why and that it will pass in a few days.

[minniemoo]

For bouts of depression it might help to include any possible triggers in the diary, such as stressful events or seeing a particular family member..