How do I pull myself out of this?

Question

I've had some problems with depression on and off, but recently I've done a good job of keeping it away. The problem is that right now I feel like there's a hole in my heart. I don't mean to sound melodramatic. I just feel empty. It's different than before with the depression and it came on out of the blue (I'd been having a really good day). It hurts, like there is some weight in my chest.
Does anyone know what this is or what I can do about it? I'd rather be depressed than feel this painful emptiness.

Answer 1

I know exactly what you are talking about. I have felt that way before. It's hurts really bad, trust me, I know. Sometimes I still feel it. It's deeper than depression...i don't know why it is, but it is.
The way I get myself out of it is to do things that make me feel good...even if they are really small things. I'll go out and just wonder around at a mall or I'll go for walks. Mostly, I will talk to people. I will go out of my way to be kind to people, just to see them smile for a moment.
Talking to people helps a lot. A friend, a family member, just some one close. You don't necessarily have to talk to them about what is bothering you, but just talk to them in general. Talk to them about the things that interest you, things you want to do.
Make plans. Plans to go places, do things, see things. Make goals to learn things and accomplish things.
Sometimes I will completely throw myself into a project. I will put all my energy into it, just to avoid the pain I am feeling.
The pain does go away. I know that much. I hope all this helps, somewhat. Even if it just helps you to know that you are not the only one that feels that way.

Answer 2

If you are referring to physical weight on the chest, you should have a physical exam for cardiac problem.. if this is done to dramatize your feeling of emptiness, then we can go in a different direction.

Most people go through life looking for something they feel is missing from their inner self.. in need of fulfillment. Something to make their life more complete.. Something their depression was telling them was in need of help. You have apparently stepped past the factor which was depressing you but, have found nothing to replace it, that would be a bit more fulfilling.

Needless to say, there are emotions you have stored deeply within your mind, in need of being released.. They have created triggers which cause responses, you often times don't even understand where they came from. They remain far removed from the conscious level and are stored in symbolic form so, you wouldn't understand what they were, even if you got to see them.

There is a simple method to reduce or even eliminate these triggers..

Answer 3

If there was no reason that spacific day it might have been a build up of things u were putting to the side. Anything in the past may be effecting you at this time without u realizing it. There were some things bothering me and i ended up feeling like that after i thought i was over depression. and only after i realized what it was that was bothering me could i fix it.. the way i did it was writting....to get thoughts down and read it then write more helps me now...

Answer 4

Depression shows itself in many ways. This painful empty feeling you have is its way of saying you were in denial of it. It happened to me after I had been acting so manic I could not possibly be depressed.. There was just a big e4mpty nothing, not even depression or numb. Just empty.
Please, Get professional help soon. It really helps. And don't listen to the idiot who says not to use medication. He just can't stand seeing someone who actually feels good. He has a condition called optical rectal-itis.

Answer 5

You know...this is a difficult part of life for everyone.
Everyone, at some point in their life, will experience this in one fashion or another.
Each individual handles it according to their own self taught patterns. That is, we are accustomed to going through lifes mazes and usually stick to the paths we know best, as they are the most comforting for us.
To journey outside of these self imposed walls takes a huge amount of courage. For those that choose to venture onto lifes new highways, there is a infinit amount of new and exciting things to see, touch, feel, and even more importantly, to experience.
When you encounter depression in your life, I would like to think it is because you have becoome imprisoned in your own comfortable world.
Take a leap forward and experience what life has in store for YOU.
It is a journey, indeed an adventure you will only regret if you have not taken it.

Answer 6

1. exercise every day. cardio, so your heart gets working, and those endorphins are released.
2. spend time helping other people. volunteer at a homeless shelter, or tutoring school children, or in a food pantry. this will help fill the emptiness.
3. find a good church. Pascal said everyone's born with a God-shaped vacuum in their heart, and only God can fill it. maybe what you're feeling is the need for a relationship with Jesus.

Answer 7

First go see a doctor. No shame in admitting that ypu need help with a problem. Second, not too seem like a health nut, eat right, drink a lot of water every day and get some sort of excercise regularly. I trully believe that we're all on antidepressants because we're all ridicuculously unhealthy. See a doc. Get better.

Answer 8

It's part of depression- you need to go find a counselor and get some professional help. I'm not trying to be mean but it sounds like you need to get on some med's or something.

Answer 9

i've had this same feeling b4..i can only recommend u to talk to somebody and keep positive..don't focus too much on it or it will get worse...or just try to do things that usually make u happy..watch a good movie go out with a friend,,,whatever makes u feel good..
i hope i helped u..i know how it feels and hopefully it will soon go away and never come back ;)

Answer 10

I think when you feel a hole, you feel like there is no purpose in life. It really helps to set a goal and achieve it, then you feel like you are "serving your purpose" in life. I am not trying to sound super religious, but it really helped when I started trying to do something that I never thought I would.

Good Luck...Hope Things Brighten Up