Hunting and depression

[Brian Krebs]

I have chronic PTSD - and that includes depression. I think that if you are suffering at this time of year; you ought to look into lighting that mimics sunlight. There is a thing called 'seasonal depressive disorder' that can effect you and your bipolar disorder.
 If your on lithium; its a salt; and you can sweat it out- so now if your not sweating so much as in summer; you can be retaining too much lithium. Balancing your lithium is critical to avoiding depression and mood disorders.
 I know this because a friend of nearly a quarter of a century has been battling his bipolar disorder - so I am familiar with the issue.
 The lessening light of fall can cause depression; and as I mentioned; the ~right kind~ of light can really help.
 In Europe they use with great success a plant that grows wild here- called 'st Johns wort'. You do not get any feeling when you take it; it is taking a small amount until it can build to a toxic level in you- a level at which depression just plain disappears. It takes a low level dose for months to get there. It is bad in that you can get sunburns very easily with it; but it can totally make your depression flat out disappear.  
  I wish you luck with this; just remember there are a lot of factors involved; but that you can get to non-depression through many methods.

 I find the woods to be the best medication....

[Steelhead]

Getting rest and or quality sleep will help and also a good exorcise program.

Angling and hunting almost always elevate my mood.

You might work on some thought processes that help eliminate some of the negative compulsive thoughts you are having when on your hunts.Try to discipline yourself as best as you can to think about the woods you are in,the creatures that exist thier and thier habits and mannerisms and the fauna and flora in general that you are lucky to be engulfed in.Positve affirmattions are good and can crowd out some of the negativity and anxious things that you are experiencing.

We all need to turn the motor off sometimes and it can be hard to do.

I think what adkamountainken expressed is something to take to heart for you and anyone.

Hey that GFA I sent you Sat. should relieve some of the stress you are feeling.Your arrows will be organized and make no rattling noises when you are out slipping thriough the woods.Good organized gear reduces stress LOL.

All the best this fall!!!

[-Achilles-]

exercise and workouts are the best stress and depression killers...if you smoke...stop!!!

[kctreeman]

Matt, I know where you are comming from. Ilost half my mind last year. Still trying to figure out what's left. I do know that this is a great bunch of guys on here and want only good things for each other. This site has many folks that have been there and done that. Keep the faith and stick with it.Through everything I've been thru I still love the flight of an arrow and resounding thump of the target, even better if the target happens to be the chest of a deer. Relax man there are many problems out there that we have no control over. Leave them for others to worry about, we are busy hunting and having fun.

[twitchstick]

Hunting and archery are both mental games where you can go from hero to zero in a flash.This year was a tough year for me with many lows.My big game hunts are over an my emotions have not be very hi.Sometimes for myself it take just going through the motions.Filling the string on my fingers,the smell of the aspens and sage,the flight of the arrow .It may not make me feel like a hero going though the motions but its part of the game.Sometimes I walk the line only because I know its where I want my hart to be.Keep your head high and your fire burning.  

[Wary Buck]

The year I went through a divorce (fall of '94), I struggled while hunting.  Most of my hunting is tree stand oriented and that results in a lot of "thinking" time.  For me, at that time, thinking was the last thing I needed to do.  

I found some solace in doing more 'active' forms of hunting (still hunting, stalking) which kept my mind occupied in the present rather than mulling over things again and again.  That and running, and clearing brush at home, and work, etc. helped keep me centered through those difficult months.  Good luck...

[Earl Jeff]

I know what you are going through. Look to God. pray, ask God to help you and beleive you will be amazed at his kindness if you beleive.

[buckeye_hunter]

Matt,
I understand where you are coming from. I am doing everything I can to take my girls out with me. I have been getting very depressed when away from my family.

I don't care if it means gun hunting. I need to enjoy being outside AND having my family present. My girls can't shoot a bow well enough to hunt, but my oldest can shoot a shotgun and my little one can pretend with her bow!

I'm a lot happier when someone is with me period. I don't like being alone, hunting needs to include friends and family for me, except on a VERY rare occasion.

-Charlie

Definitely pray and be sure to take any meds that have been prescribed. You are a good guy and deserve nothing but the best my friend! Do what you have to do and keep your head up!

[Sam McMichael]

Sometimes in the beginning of the season, my mind drifts to work and other stress causing things. However, I try to immerse myself in the woods and the spirit of the hunt. Usually, I soon get to that relaxed state that I can simply enjoy the moment and appreciate the things I have rather than worry about what might have been.
 Like many, I lost a good bit of money in these economic times and can't afford to retire as I had planned to do last spring. Fortunately, my job is stable and I am able to be happy in the present situation. Things will work out; it just takes time.

[iowan]

Matt -Have you been to the doc and tried meds if not ,do so.

[joevan125]

I battled a addiction to pain pills for 15 yrs and have been sober for nearly 3 yrs. After i took all the drugs away i was left with me and no ways to medicate. Well the depression set in really bad to the point i couldnt function and had to take off work for a year. Therapy helped a lot and i also have a strong support group.

The only thing that has always relieved my depression 100% is having a connection with my higher power who i call God. I am in the process of going through a divorce and things have been very difficult for me for the last month. Hunting and shooting my bow has never really helped in times of deep depression.

I would hope that you are seeking medical advice and have found someone that you feel comfortable talking to about you anxiety and fears. One thing that helps me is that i know things will eventually get better. Even though i know you dont feel like it try to get some exercise.

[bigbuckmalik]

pm sent buddy

[celticknot]

Thanks fellas and Ladies sorry Susan. It has brought happy tears to my eyes to hear from all of you. It makes me proud to call all of you my brothers and sisters. I can not thank you ebough for al the encouraging words my downward slump is going uphill very fast. I feel oved from people I have never met. Well atleast the good part of you. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. If yall can do me one more favor. Please tell a complete stranger on this sight and in your day to day life that you appreciate them being them. It got me up and moving just think how many people you might help with a kind word.

[Doc Nock]

What a gracious thing to say and encourage, Matt.

I've missed this one somehow.

I see and have talked to several associates who have a difficult time this year focusing on the hunt. Some of us race through the week only to have to race through preparation and then drive a good ways to the woods to hunt...and amidst the stress that has surely increased for many folks in this economy, it's hard to not carry that frenetic pace right into the treestand.

Without health insurance, at showing some aging from arthritis, I've got aches and pains that are kickin my butt hunting and that is depressing all in itself.

Push-push-push through the insanity of the week to push to get hunting and then sit there throbbing and achin has taken away some of the healing aspects i always got from the woods.

I'm going to try to hunt less and soak up the woods after reading your note.

Sometimes, the hunt can become one more place we pit ourselves against some non-descript "goal" and failing in that only adds to the sense of failure from everyday life these days.

Thanks for being so bold as to share those inner feelings and allowing others of us to reflect and redirect as we contemplate your struggle.

Prayers for continued growth, peace and relaxation. Thanks for your gracious words to all who have reached out. We need to be in community everywhere, not just here amidst our brethern of the bow and believers in Christ.

Keep the Son in your eyes!

[redeemed]

I myself was labeled with bipolar, took lithium for over 15 years, it actually ruined my thyroid, so now i have to take that med, but I stopped taking lithium about 3 years ago, I get down at this time of year, I attribute allot of mine to the change in daylight hours, there is an actual diagnosis called sundown syndrome, that deals with and is trigered by the loss of the length of daylight. It can throw you into a deppression, I myself get times where I would not want to go hunting, or do ANYTHING for that mattr, seems at times that it is a chore to even breathe. I REALLY sympathize with you, it really is miserable when ya look forward to getting into your favorite season and when it rolls around ya can't get enough drive to get dressed. Know that this will pass, and I will be praying for you.

[Ssamac]

Matt: I just reach out to you in prayer and hope you can overcome your problem
Read Ken's poem every day, (awesome Ken, just awesome) first thing in the AM> That will have to be like medicine.

What a great group we have

sam

[jer11bravo]

I have always had a hard time around hunting season with depression. While I was working as a paramedic I went to see a counsolor about some calls I have been on and that is when I learned about seasonal depression. Theory is something about the cold, gray skies, and death of all the vegetation which makes some people depressed, while others get more excited just do to the fact of hunting season is here. I try to get excited myself but more times than not I usally end up depressed. My prayers are with you and all the others. GOD bless from Sterling ILL.

[kill shot]

i have that same problem. what works for me is this...get your stuff and go hunting even if it's not the ideal time of the day. walk slow. study the little things. all things in the wild were made for you and me. don't forget to look up and say thanks. I"M TALKING TO EVERYONE

[redeemed]

good stuff kill shot!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bear1336]

Praying for you.

In HIS service
Dave