How can you get over your depression?

Answer 1

FIRST, ASAP:

1. Find something good about today.

2. Think of a few things you most enjoy (and when you can do them again).

3. Have a healthy meal.

THEN...

Many people who have depression struggle with their feelings and thoughts and symptoms for weeks, months and years. I am 49, and I have been aware of my depression for most of that time, yes, I'd say at least 40+ of those 49 years. There have been moments and days of happiness, joy, even euphoria (maybe hypomania?) and satisfaction. But the vast majority of my life, I have known I was swimming upstream against depression, or with depression or in spite of depression. I have not functioned fully or in most conventional ways in many years and have no money and little social or medical support (without insurance, of course, none for over 20 years). And so one common way to "get through" depression is to slog through rather aimlessly and inefficiently, without focus. But to really "get through" depression and come out on the other side, as best one can, it takes more than time, more than slogging through. I've squandered too much time; the best solutions take LESS time. Depression really is a condition, first, more than a state of mind, though your state of mind matters. It is not just how you think, though how you think matters. It is more than just doing the right things (like exercise, finding a good doctor, taking meds), though doing those right things matters. It is at least learning to be more effective in the struggle against your condition, which for most of us means paying attention to a lot of factors: our social health, exercise, diet, sleep, relationship challenges, work challenges, and getting and sticking with medical help.

I would like to recommend just two books, first, the book my doctor recommended to me: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, by David Burns, M.D., and second, the book I recommend most myself: Undoing Therapy: What Therapy Doesn't Teach You and Medication Can't Give You, by Richard O'Connor, Ph.D.

But before you go do anything else, try the three things I suggest at the beginning of this answer. Take care! Lawrence

Answer 2

I would have to say that from experience you really need to be pro-active and get to your doctor and say look I am not feeling right, I am tired of feeling this way and I want to try what ever meds are out there (as long as they are safe of course ), to help give me the boost and drive to get going everyday. The biggest problem is finding the energy to take on life everyday and not fear the world. Also a biggie is talking yourself out of doing things that initially come up inside you. But then what sounded like an exciting thought or good idea possible, instead 30 seconds later is looked at as just too much or an energy zapper, or even what the hell is the use in even doing that!!! I will promise the right meds are out there for you and just remember that meds are meds for a reason, they make us feel the way we are supposed to normally. So If you have a stigma about meds, please put that aside.

Answer 3

Depression is thought to be caused by a decrease in assertiveness, which consequently leads to a decrease in self confidence, and continues in a downward spiral from there.

The current thinking on how to overcome depression is to regain assertiveness, there are two ways this could be achieved, through changes in how you perceive situations, regaining the belief that you can assert your opinions on any given situation; the otherway is to be prescribed antidepressants, these alter the levels of chemicals in your brain which allows you to become more assertive.

The compromise between these two courses would be dependent on your situation, age, and severity of condition. Antidepressants are unlikely (or with present practices, that is becoming less the case, but it doesn't change that they shouldn't be) to be given to teenagers and younger, as they can worsen the situation, due to the maturing brain.

People respond differently to the two treatments, but drug treatment has a higher success rate.

Answer 4

There is no way if you are affected with it but what could help is tablets. You can't stop something mental, it is permanently in your brain. Take care. :)

Personally I just drag myself through and things work out. I'm lucky enough to have awesome friends, though, and they're the real key even though they don't know it. Spend time with your friends, listen to whatever music makes your blood sing and your heart beat faster and do something that interests you.

Answer 5

What I focus on is to distract myself from the subject. A simple approach is to breathe very slowly and deeply, counting down from 10 to zero slowly with your eyes closed. Exercise can also give you a relief from it, especially tai chi, yoga, or a slow, relaxing walk.

Some quick ideas include rubbing your ears (stimulates many acupressure points), petting an animal, or listening to slow, relaxing music.

The most effective long-term method is to find a therapist who specializes in trauma resolution, since anxiety usually stems from unresolved past stresses (even if this includes a number of small things and not one big event). If you eliminate past stress, it is a lot easier to handle present stress. Also incorporate a daily relaxation routine for at least 15 minutes.

Answer 6

Read The Bible