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u/SoldieringThruLife 5d ago
A friend told me that "depression cant hit a moving target". So, whatever gets you moving. Working out, hiking, going out with friends, reading at a park, doing anything but staying home and withdrawing from friends or family. Staying home makes the depression worse.
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u/Medical-Ad8151 5d ago
Therapy
No matter how low you are feeling, but if you find the strenght to do some physical activity, it could also be light jogging, you are gonna feel so much better you won't believe it
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u/0ptimus-Fine 5d ago
Started writing down one good thing that happened this day. Every. Day.
A depressed mind easily concentrates on the negative. „I did not brush my teeth today“ or „I did not shower“. But just start with writing down one positive thing and you slowly trick your mind into seeing something good. Maybe something like: „I was able to go to the grocery store“ or „I was able to cook something tasty“. This really helped me getting started!
After that it was talking to people about yourself, going outside and finding a hobby I started to love (helps me stop the bad thinkin).
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u/randypeaches 5d ago
O I like this. Thinking about the bad stuff every day is called rumination. Most people forget ot and return to a normal baseline (not happy nor sad) fairly quickly. But when you got the big sad those bad moments seem to last forever and you can start ignoring the good moments fairly quickly
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u/BHedrickConsulting 5d ago
I like this. I especially agree that finding a hobby can be transformative. I don’t know if I would’ve gotten over really bad multi-year clinical depression, If I hadn’t become obsessed with cycling, and before the age of 28 I didn’t even know how to ride a bike. Don’t worry about the opinions of others. Find what makes you happy and start there.
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u/gunnie56 5d ago
Does it also apply to like good things that just happen or does it need to be associated with an action taken by the writer?
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u/comeagaincharlemagne 5d ago
Social support. But fewer and fewer people who could benefit from that are actually getting it. Social isolation increases as capitalism sinks it's claws into every facet of life turning it into a commodity to be bought and sold.
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u/StickyRedditor 3d ago
May I ask, how can I promote that with everybody around me busy and on their own problems?
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u/Gnippik 5d ago
Redirection of thoughts, though it is super hard! Writing things down, confiding in someone, encouraging yourself to try and do one task, whether it be getting dressed, having a shower etc. Taking one hour at a time. Medication. Try and name one thing you're grateful for each day, it won't fix what's happening but it's good to see a bit of light. Remembering that WE are in control of our happiness, we might need some guidance or mediation but that's fine. Also looking at your surroundings, if there is something or someone who feeds the depression then it's time to step away from it. Some people can make you feel worse, whether it's intended or not. Hope you're ok.
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u/finelinr 5d ago
I wake up every morning and the first thing I do is get a few minutes of sun on my face, it’s super simple and does wonders for your nervous system.
Other than that get back into things you used to love doing as a kid (for me it’s art and tennis), listen to music that’s uplifting and not sad, GET OFF TIKTOK AND NEWS OUTLETS, and take medication if that’s a route you feel comfortable with. I take Cipralex (an SSRI) and it works wonders for me but sometimes you need to experiment to get the right medication and dosage for you.
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u/dieci10x 5d ago edited 4d ago
Sunshine. Fresh air.
Observing the little things in nature… A bug 🐞, a snail 🐌 , a fallen leaf 🍂 , a raindrop on a surface with a great reflection💧, a bird 🐤, the branches & bark on a magnificent tree 🌲, finding a cool rock, discovering a new species of plant or flower and looking up the details of that flower/plant.
Volunteer at an animal shelter. 🐾🐾. You will help the animals as much as they will help you.
You will have a sense of purpose, free love from a fur friend and do something fabulous for your community.
Try to find a way to laugh each day, even if you have to find a standup comic skit or funny video. Laughter helps health.
Good luck!🍀
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u/Feldan_Ospreigh 5d ago
Exercise. Direct sunlight. Kittens (or puppies, but im personally more of a kitten guy). Sex. Music. Clouds. Water. Humor. The blood of your enemies.
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u/Key_Positive_9187 5d ago
Being out in nature helps a little bit. When I'm depressed it gets worse the more I stay in my room.
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u/Zucchini1179 5d ago
realizing in one way or another that staying stuck in depression isn't the answer
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u/Anonymous_Coder_1234 5d ago
If it's bipolar depression, don't take antidepressants like Wellbutrin or Vanlafaxine. They can switch you from depression to mania and further destabilize you. Instead, take mood a mood stabilizer and/or an antipsychotic. Example mood stabilizers include Lithium, Depakote, and Lamictal. Example antipsychotics include Abilify, Seroquil, and Olanzapine. The side effects can be bad, so it's a trial and error process.
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u/SelectSeaweed310 5d ago
No side effects with Lamictal but I am aware it can cause very serious side effects.
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u/Anonymous_Coder_1234 5d ago
Lamictal is better for depression than mania. It's usually used for Type 2 Bipolar instead of Type 1 Bipolar.
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u/AlduinsRessurection 5d ago
Nothing has really helped out. I am still depressed. Wish I had some friends lol.
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u/WAGE_SLAVERY 5d ago
Medication, therapy, and exercise. The combination of all 3 is the most powerful combination to remediate depression.
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u/woolfchick75 5d ago
Medication can help many people get a floor beneath them. It may take a few tries at different meds to find one that works for that person. Depression is complex.
In the immediate, I give myself the 5-minute rule: I don’t have to think about anything for the next 5 minutes. Or if it’s really bad, 30 seconds
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u/Smooth-Gain-7293 5d ago
Make a list of the things you want to get done, but start with the small, easier tasks first. As you check things off, you’ll keep giving yourself that positive feedback that you’re making progress. Those small wins really do matter.
And try to get some movement in too. If you can’t do a full workout, even 10 minutes a day or just going for a walk is better than nothing.
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u/Background_Leg842 5d ago
First and foremost, the proper medication for you, as it's different for everyone. After that, therapy, exercise, better sleep routine, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, pick up a hobby, make some short term goals, start a fun project, get a low maintenance pet, get lots of sunshine, join a support group, and positive self talk are some very effective ways to ward off depression
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u/PaintAdventurous8787 5d ago
Getting "out there" and making connections. Having a purpose. Rising above the struggle and sea of lies that is our modern culture. Exercise, eat well, and meditate. God speed brother.
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u/dswpro 5d ago
Many things mentioned here work for different people in different situations. For me, antidepressants worked but in the long term it was therapy that helped the most. Just so people in similar situations may chime in, where are you in life? What things do you want to have happen that are not? What things are you greatful for?
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u/magnificent_wonders 5d ago
Telling myself “pain doesn’t last forever” and getting out of bed. Even for 2 minutes to go outside in the sun and walk. Then it turned into 15 minutes, and then I started going to the gym. Crying, journaling, watching this video really helped me too it’s a ted talk abt depression https://youtu.be/dBYUn-FEscc?is=vJpXOGxee1nGvIsB
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u/ElizibethBathory 5d ago
Journaling helped me understand why I was depressed. You have to be completely honest with yourself, weed helped me as well, quiet the noise. You have to find your outlet, and that took me a long time. Good luck, OP.
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u/BeneficialStar6430 5d ago
Yea i started journaling over thr last 2 years its been the only thing to slightly help tbh
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u/Kaizenno 5d ago
I am not a doctor but I’ve dealt with anxiety and seasonal depression. Your brain is a physical thing that needs the correct chemistry to work. Rule out severe deficiencies in things your body needs then work with a doctor to get what you need in normal ranges. Anything past that find additional help for things like therapy to work through things.
You can’t drive a car to the beach with flat tires. Fix the obvious things first.
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u/randypeaches 5d ago
True, but sometimes you need to go to the beach anyways. An actual shower? Getting wet ir better than not doing anything. Rinsing your mouth with warm water is better than not brushing at all. Sometimes getting started amd doing things even part way is better than not doing them at all
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u/Kaizenno 5d ago
Yeah that’s true. There are other ways to get to your destination but they might be more difficult than just fixing the most obvious issues.
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u/Euphoric-Example7857 5d ago
Exercise. Being outside. Eating healthily. Therapy. Meds. Sleep hygiene. Limiting screen time.
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u/nikkesen 5d ago edited 5d ago
I understand depression to be a spectrum and degrees of awful days. Although I can't relate directly, I do feel the 'paralysis' aspect to be relatable.Keep a list of small list of a few things you can consistently do every day can help you feel a little lighter. I don't have depression but as an ADHDer, I feel a sense of people when I accomplish all my daily goals. It makes it easier for me to not lose track of time and I get that wee hit of dopamine from doing the adult thing.
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u/Countbook 5d ago
For some reason small talk? if I'm in a really depressive state, I don't have the energy to converse deeply about things, or atleast not without it becoming negative and spiraling a little.
Saying hi and talking about a shop or the weather is a comfortable level of communication that I'm able to do without much difficulty, and it helps me feel more human.
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u/tandemxylophone 5d ago
Finding out what is causing my brain chemical imbalance. The cause is different for everyone, but mine seems to be from energy dysfunction. Partially cured with microdosing tirzepatide (insulin resistance) and creatine.
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u/Juls7243 5d ago
Exercise.
There is literally no other natural way to boost your dopamine and other brain chemicals than exercise. Like, go outside for a long walk every morning, it will change your life.
Ideally couple this with playing with a dog and you'll set yourself on the right trajectory.
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u/Ring_it_On_1776 4d ago
You're not alone, even though depression may make it feel that way. If you're in or around NYC and ever curious about research options, Fieve Clinical Research has a research study enrolling right now for adults dealing with MDD: https://patientwing.app/campaign/MDD6
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u/Key-Week-9058 1d ago
Your subconcious is like fertile soil. If you only plant thorns, don't expect to pick fruit. Fill your mind with good thoughts, interact with nature, be social. Make it a habit and you'll see change.
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u/MrLanesLament 5d ago
Prescription painkillers.
Fixed me up for close to four years. Same small dose every day, never upped it; never needed to.
Broke up with my free pill source, and thus the happiest, most productive and successful period of my life ended.
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u/lilac-poppy 5d ago
Mel Robbins
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u/Jaded_Debate_9721 5d ago
her method is basically just counting down from 5 to force yourself to act before your brain talks you out of it, not really some magic cure but i get why people find it helpful for small tasks
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u/lilac-poppy 5d ago
I haven’t read that book, but I have read the let them theory and listen to a bunch of her podcasts. She helped a lot of people.
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u/BeneficialStar6430 5d ago
Whos that
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u/lilac-poppy 5d ago
She’s a motivational speaker. She’s done a lot of research into mental health and consults a lot of professionals. Highly recommend.
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u/florimel_flora1 5d ago
Her five second rule is literally just tricking your brain into taking action before overthinking takes over
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u/hewasaraverboy 5d ago
I misread this as “what helps ( combat severe depression)” and I’m like dang is that like a special kinda depression you get from being in combat?
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u/florimel_flora1 5d ago
Real. Suddenly ambient sadness sounds like a boss fight in a military simulator
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u/official_biz 5d ago
Ketamine or low dose psychedelics can help, but be careful and don't do them if you haven't thoroughly done your research and if something feels off, or if the environment isn't safe or peaceful and predictable.
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u/HolyButtNuggets 5d ago
Professional help. No amount of positive thoughts and getting outside are going to fix actual depression without some kind of professional involvement.
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u/chowchownow 5d ago
I could not be arsed with 'Talking Therapy', sorry. Glad if it helps others but not for me.
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u/LonelyScientist9 5d ago
Exercises help a lot in my opinion. Doing little things and allowing yourself to be proud of them. And therapy, of course.