How do you overcome depression?

Question

I lived in Florida my entire life and about a year ago I moved to Utah. Once I got here nothing made sense anymore, I couldn't seem to feel happy again, even doing the things I loved, and for about a year I haven't felt any emotions and when I do they are weak. I basically feel like I'm dead but still moving. how can I feel happy again?

Answer 1

drugs! lots and lots of drugs!

Answer 2

On a spiritual level, I make sure I get a few prayers in every day. When I don't, I just can't seem to cope and things fall apart around me.

On an emotional level, I find that having a good friend (other than family members) really are like a support for me to lean on when times are bad, but I'm not that good at reaching out (room for improvement)

On a physical level, I have to remember what is going on with my body since my mood is intimately tied to it. If someone gives me advice and I don't try it, its my own fault

What's happened to you, however, is that you have been uprooted and displaced. You have lost your niche and also probably a group that understands who you are and what you are. Forging new alliances is tough, especially when you are put in a place where there are already established cliques.

But the first poster may be right. Sometimes you just need drugs. I mean, don't make it a habit or anything. Emotional pain is just as significant as physical pain.

I hope everything works out for you. Maybe you just have to go back home.
(edit: I don't think I will overcome depression. I just try to manage it best as I can)

Answer 3

I picked these statements out of your question:

"I couldn't seem to feel happy again, even doing the things I loved"

"for about a year I haven't felt any emotions"

"I basically feel like I'm dead but still moving."

These are all indicators of clinical depression - especially the first one, about not enjoying the things you used to love.

You might want to think about contacting a counselor or therapist in your area. If left untreated, depression can cause serious problems.

I speak from experience, unfortunately.


FOLLOWUP:

After seeing some of the other responses, I suggest that you proceed with caution. Clinical depression is not something you can "snap out of" by changing your attitude about something; nor can you recover from it by "choosing to be happy". It doesn't work that way - it requires treatment.

Bear in mind that I'm not saying you have clinical depression, only that you've presented some indicators for it. I'm not a psychologist. I just think its a good idea to find out whether or not you have clinical depression, and the way to do this is to see a mental health professional/therapist.

If it turns out you don't have clinical depression, then by all means try the attitude adjustments suggested by the other responders. Just make sure you don't have clinical depression first.

Answer 4

The daily (10 min. a day) practice of
Mindfulness Meditation erradicates depression, stress, worries, anxieties, lonliness, poor
self image, anger, irritability, suffering and pain, and a poor memory; it produces peace and happiness and brings much joy in a persons life.
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. teaches Mindfulness Meditation."Coming to Our Senses" Book by Dr. Jon Kabt-Zinn is Most Excellent !!
Mindfulness Meditation has been around for over 2,800 years and has been proven very
very effective.
Mindfulness Meditation is part of the "Noble Eightfold Path".
But begin to learn, study and practice Mindfulness Meditation daily and you will soon see the results.
Do not others to judge or condemn you. Do not allow others to convert you to religion. All that you need IS within you. And as you practice Mindfulness Meditation, you will discover this.

Love yourself. Be patient with Yourself. And please always forgive yourself for any past mistakes or current mistakes.
Your life is valuable. It is very important.
Do what is needed to help yourself.

A person, including myself, can not ever successfully love another, without first loving and accepting oneself. Mindfulness meditation will help you to have self-respect and a healthy, wholesome self-love.

You asked a Very Good Question !!

P.S. - Read the book "Working With Anger" which also deals with depression. It is by the author Thubten chodron. It's Excellent !! It is also helpful to exercise half hr. a day. Anything cardio is best: treadmill, jogging, run,
This releases endorphines in your body, which make a person think and feel good. But it is a temporary remedy. But it does help some. "Mindfulness Meditation can always be depended on. And it has been proven successful by Doctors all around the world."

From an R.N. with a Master's Degree.

Answer 5

This is normal for a move. It takes a couple of years after you move to feel like you live at the new place. The oNLY way to overcome this is to meet people. Join a gym. The exercise not only boosts your seratonin levels, but it puts you in touch with people of your age group with similar interests. From there you can join book groups and gourmet groups etc. meeting people and making friends is the only answer. The sooner you do this the sooner you'll adjust.

Answer 6

Yes, drugs. Have you tried Wellbutrin? It gives you more energy, unlike a lot of other anti-depressants that make you tired and drag you down. But it is hard to adjust. Especially to a place like Utah from Florida. That is quite a change.

Answer 7

IT'S UTAH.
Trust me. I have been here for 14yrs..it is a black hole, and some people get out for awhile but they always get sucked back in.
The only cure I have found is going home for a few weeks a year and decorating my house like I would in Non Mormon world.

It's real name is H-E-L-L, but they spell in Utah on maps, or else nobody would ever come. I think it's alittle better in Northern Utah, if that is where you are, count your blessings that you're not in Southern.

Answer 8

This may sound dumb, simple and a little unclear, but happiness is a choice. You choose to be happy or to be sad. I lost the woman I loved, desired and built my world around. When she was taken, as she was, the world as I knew it ended, with no more joy, not even in the Church and religion I was involved in, which I loved, very much. I chose God, and what He offers, I focused on being a blessing to others, to bring happiness into to the lives of others, and my joy returned to me.

Answer 9

Moving is very tough. I moved from Illinois to Arizona and I switched schools a couple times too.
It is very hard to change your environment and adapt to this change successful quickly.
But it can be done.
You just have to realize that you have a good life, a lot better than others do, and you can be positive even though you are in a state you dont want to be in.
Change is evident and one of life's great challenges is adapting to change.

Answer 10

I have depression, 'supposedly'... I think it's home sickness. I have gone to my homecountry, Brazil. recently and I brightened up. In the USA, I find I am tired and 'lazy'. I found friends and God are the best routes to recovery. Medication works to a point, so... yeah, hope you get well... consult a doctor, and find support.

Answer 11

For me personally, it helps me to be with friends and loved ones and try not to think about my depression. My religious beliefs also play a part in how I deal with depression and negative feelings.