Author Topic: Hunting and depression (Read 3417 times)

celticknot · « **on:** October 11, 2009, 07:05:00 PM »

I was just wondering if anyone has to deal with depression during there hunting season? I am rapid cycling Bipolar. I am having a very hard time fighting my depression this season. Usually I am prepared and ready to hunt. This year I am not ready at all, I can't seem to get motivated to get up and go out and my mind races on other thoughts and stresses while Im hunting which causes me to become more depressed. Have any of you delt with these problems before?

horatio1226 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:14:00 PM »

For me hunting is a time to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. A perfect time for a little meditation. A time to chase the negative thoughts away and focus on the positive thoughts. I once was asking a buddhist monk about those thoughts and stresses and he told me to think about them as a pig trying to get into your garden. He said to smack the pig on the nose and tend my garden. Dwelling on the thoughts and stresses while you are hunting isn't going to change anything. Live in the moment my brother. Good luck to you.

defiant · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:27:00 PM »

Matt hi,I think I understand what you are saying,but I don't know if I have any answers to your situation other than be glad you can be out in the woods and enjoy the day.I find it easier when hunting with a friend.Hope you overcome this thing and just be strong and give yourself time to get back into it.This might be your year for the buck of a lifetime.Good luck Frank

Scrub_buck · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:28:00 PM »

CK:

Other than trying to trade for a nice bow quiver (HA, HA) .. try mixing in unemployment into the works.

I have been under some stress for the last year being unemployed ... the best advice I can give you is to open the Bible and read about what Jesus did for you and me, and whenever you can you have to do your best to enjoy the outdoors and the hunt without letting the other stuff get to you.

Think of it like school ... when you were in algebra class, did you have to think and worry with US History? When I am in 'hunting class' I focus on enjoying it to the fullest and can make myself forget about all the other 'classes' until hunting class is over.

That's how I deal with stress and troubles. I don't know if this method will help you or not, but it might be worth a try to compartmentalize your day like that?!?

xtrema312 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:32:00 PM »

No, I have the opposite problem. I spend off season depressed. I am all better now for at least the next couple months. Off season I obsess about hunting, and not being able to hunt for months. That is very depressing.

Seriously thought, it sounds like a real difficult time. I don’t know much about serious depression issues. I only know about my simple depression; when I am down because I focus more on what I don’t have, that I think I need and not enough on what I do have. If hunting season is not lifting your spirits you need to find something that will.

celticknot · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:40:00 PM »

hey guys thanks for your thoughts. This is the first year that this has happened to me. I have delt with small boughts of dipression during hunting season but nothing like this. I try to enjoy what I am doing but my mind wanders off on bad things and I can't seem to come back from it after that. The thing with being rapid cycling is that it comes and goes whenever it wants. Im trying to get more sleep and eat regularly, because it has a direct effect on my depression but it hasn't been going the way I want it. But thank you again I appreciate the incoragement.

bowmofo · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2009, 08:08:00 PM »

Matt
We need to take it as it comes. enjoy each day for what it brings,This is why we hunt the way we hunt!

Keep it simple.

Shaun · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2009, 08:32:00 PM »

Everything and everyone is bi-polar. North and south, yin and yang. If you have an increased level of bipolar mental activity, there are only two solutions. One is medication but that has some side effects. The other is spiritual exercise to help with "peace of mind". Brand or flavor of spiritual workout is entirely up to you.

Good luck and Good Hunting!

ChristopherO · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2009, 08:36:00 PM »

If you are like me hunting can consume my thoughts and energy when I am not hunting. But, being responsible for a family and clients, I have to focus on those positives God has given me. When I let the hunting bug consume me to the point that I am being irresponsible, even if no one else knows about it, it starts to weigh heavily on my mind and mood. It is hard but I need to keep it all in perspective and be grateful for those opportunities I am able to get out but not let it be my all in all.

sendero25 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2009, 08:42:00 PM »

Matt,
I am going through a lot of the same feelings this year...but I am fortunate in that I know what is causing it. We are going through some financial problems and are filing bankruptcy in a few weeks, losing most of our "stuff" isn't a big problem, we are just worried about keeping our house. Everything else can be replaced.
I haven't been really motivated about hunting this year, I try, I practice, watch videos, and spend as much time in camp getting ready, but it isn't helping much.
My mind is on problems not related to hunting.
If you want to chat or talk, let me know! Maybe we can talk each other into getting into the spirit, or at least share problems, it is a big help!
Good luck and I think you'll be OK, but let me know if you want to talk, I am always available for you!
John

Covey · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2009, 08:46:00 PM »

Take a kid to the wood's with you! being a mentor to a young boy or girl is rewarding and it definitely keeps your mind off everything else! beleive me my son is 10 and he keeps me busy! Jason

adkmountainken · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2009, 08:47:00 PM »

my time in the woods to me is very, very important as it is mt stress relief and my way to reconnect with myself. no matter what is going on in my life i try to block EVERYTHING out when i am in the woods and just enjoy MY time. no time clocks, routes, arguments, no NOTHING but mother nature and she is a beautifull thing! next time you are out there just TRY to block out all but what is going on in the woods. listen to the birds, the wind, feel the cold, the rain and let it make you feel alive and soothe you. i know it is easier said then done but just try to connect with it all. put all worries on hold while there. here are my places that soothe my soul, the great Adirondacks!

Herdbull · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:02:00 PM »

I have found addition stress this year as well. After loosing my wife to cancer in the spring, I was lucky to embrace the spiritual aspecs of my life. I find it more easy to connect when I'm in wild places. Once I found this connection, I know that even in solitude I'm never really alone. Mike

sou-pawbowhunter · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:18:00 PM »

Matt,

Sent you a pm.

kasey · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:21:00 PM »

i do also its hard if ya need to talk im here

celticknot · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:52:00 PM »

Thank you all so much I want to say that your encouragment has deffintly helped lift my spirits. I thank you all that offered help of any kind it makes my soul happy when people are willing to help without wanting anything back. I love traditional archery because people really seem to care about every aspect of your life not just how big your last buck was. I think Im going to go spend some time in the deep woods by myself so I can spend time reflecting on the good things in my life and the fact that there are alot of people worse off. I really do know I am blessed and try to live life to its fullest and try to be as humble as possible. Now is the time to focus on god and let him guide me down the right path and focus on the great woods and animals he has provided me to eat and experience. Thank you all again I really do appreciate it.

Day Dreamer · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:53:00 PM »

Share with a hunting buddy. I went deer hunting the past 2 times with a friend who is going through some life changing desisions, so fellowship, and hardwoods is very tharaputic, fellowhip being the priority.

**DONOTDELETE** · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:14:00 PM »

I think everyone gets depressed at some point. I admire you being able to come on here and talk about it like this.

I am blessed to have a great family, so I never get depressed about that type of thing. However, with this economy, and my income coming from the Automotive industry, I sometimes let work/financial issues flood my brain. I'm not sure if I get depressed about it, stressed might be a better description.

On the way in or out of the woods each day I thank God for the opportunity and the day. If I think about that....focus on the beauty of the woods, and how lucky I am to be there....all of that nonsense goes away.

Soilarch · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:27:00 PM »

I've never been "diagnosed" with anything myself. I have an uncle and a couple cousins that are M/D so I've been around that stuff and I learned...I guess it was my first semester in college...that fending against depression has to be an ACTIVE thing for me. That doesn't make it easier, but knowing you can't be passive, and looking for trends and warning signs that you are beginning to get depressed DOES help.

What do I do? Its so very very hard to "MAKE TIME" with work, family and the other 10,000 things life keeps us juggling but I've also learned that I'm unproductive in EVERY regard if I slip into a funk for a day, a week, or a month. So, I'm actually time ahead...no matter how busy I am...to take a day or two and just make everything stop. Whatever you got to do to relieve the stress or intentionally have some fun/laugh, DO IT!!! It seems like a very selfish thing to do. I struggled with that for a long time. Truth is, you are doing everyone around a big favor by being pre-ACTIVE in the fight.

Hope that help/encourages

Pegen · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:38:00 PM »

Matt,
you cannot even think of going hunting until you acknowledge these other thoughts and stresses and deal with them thoroughly. stress and racing thoughts, for me, a self-employed businessman, always came from unfinished business with tax bills. And, the more I procrastinated, the more anxious and depressed I became. Result, I would go in the woods, and come out only 2 hours later pissed off because I didn't see any deer. I didn't see any because I was moving too much from being too anxious from being too depressed, and that made me even more depressed. Do you see the catch 22 illness here? that is, in plain English, being a "Whack Job". Deal with your sh... ASAP. ONLY THEN WILL YOU BE HAPPY, RELAXED, AND HAVE SOME SUCCESS IN THE WOODS. PEACE, AND MY PRAYERS, BRO'

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