Great thread.

Sometimes singing the saddest song I can think of will help, because what I really need is a good cry.

But it's different every time.

Almost always, being touched (sex or other wise) by someone who really cares. It gets you back in your body, out of your head and you don't feel so alone. (A big depression trigger for me.)

It's helpful to find out what's at the root of it-- feeling 1)alone/abandoned, 2)overwhelmed, 3)useless, 4) uncreative, 5)general low self-esteem, 6) powerless 7) not in control (perhaps because of something horrible going on in the world.

Interesting, there are often physical causes. I liked Celtic Soul's comments. There are herbs that help if it's hormonal or to tonify your nervous system. (Find a good herbalist or read up on it.) But also it's now well documented that people who are blood type O are metabolicly prone to depression especially when stressed, and many of us can combat the depression simply with dietary changes and proper excercise. (For Os that means really getting the blood up-- walking, running, biking, dancing, even vigorous drumming.) See "Live Right For Your Type", the latest of the blood type diet books for lots of info. I found that just getting wheat out of my diet and substituting other grains made a tremendous difference.

Bekki