What's the best way to beat depression?

Question

I've been depressed a lot the past two days. Things haven't been working out and I've had to do nothing but work lately. I guess there is a reason for it, but what's the best way to cure it. I can't laugh, I can't have fun, and I don't even feel like I want to go on this zoo trip that my boyfriend planned for us anymore (thought that could be because he invited another girl to make her feel better I'm not really sure). It's gotten to the point where I don't even really want to eat even though my brain says eat. What should I do to make myself better when I feel like I don't want to really feel better? Hopefully that made sense.

Well actually I've been depressed on and of for the last few weeks but it just got really bad the past 2 days.

Answer 1

Are you sad or are you depressed? We all get sad, frustrated, discouraged, down, but if it's just an emotion it will pass no matter what you do. The sun will come up some morning soon, and you'll feel yourself again.

On the other hand a depression is more than a low mood. It is a lack of energy. It is being unable to be cheered up by things that usually cheer you up, not just for a couple of days, but as an ongoing state. The definition of major depression requires a duration of two weeks. You don't have to be depressed for that long of a time to get help for it, but I doubt anyone would do that unless they are repeatedly getting depressed even for brief periods.

If you need help with depression, some combination of therapy and meds is what works. If it's just a passing emotion, anything works. You don't need to worry about having to do exactly the right thing to fix it. Just go about your life. If you don't get better see your doctor or get a referral to a therapist in a different way. But after two days, I'd just wait, and do whatever you want.

Answer 2

Sounds like you need to address the problem head on. Go straight to the source. What is making you unhappy? Fix it. If you don't want your boyfriend bringing another girl to the zoo it's important that you tell him. Is he the one bringing you down? Maybe you should consider letting him go all together. Do something that will really make you happy even if you have to force yourself too. I think you need a night out with the girls. Go out to eat or meet for coffee just to talk and get things off your mind. You'll be surprised what venting to friends who care about you could bring. Also you might want to start keeping a journal, sometimes it helps to get it down on paper. You should also do something for yourself like get your nails done...maybe go shopping with your mom or get a cute outfit for yourself. Pamper yourself a little, maybe get some alone time to just think about the reasons you may be feeling this way and what you can do about it. I don't know if you find reading appealing but if you get lost in a humorous book it tends to keep your mind off personal problems and helps to relieve stress. If none of this seems to help you might want to talk to a councilor or psychologist. Good-Luck, I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 3

You've made an excellent start at getting better - you're talking about it to someone! Fantastic!

How old are you? Did something in particular happen to trigger your bout with the blues? Could it be time for your period? Has this ever happened before? Could something be bothering you deep down? Can you talk to your folks? Or an older sibling? Or a teacher? If you don't have these people or don't feel comfortable with them, you can talk to me or lots of other people that will probably answer you here. Perhaps the fact that we don't know you and can't see you will make it easier to talk to me or us.

Regardless, DO NOT take something to help you feel better - believe me, please, when I tell you it WILL NOT!

Good luck and I want to hear from you. I mean it - talk before you do anything silly - I will never judge you or put you down.

Answer 4

1. Go on the zoo trip. Find your favorite animal or place (I like to be inside the walk-in aviaries with the birds) and sit for a while. Turn off your phone and be unavailable until your vacation is over.
2. Can you fall asleep to music? Maybe you could turn the music on real low, you know, like jazz or classical, and see if it helps you dream of other things.
3. Turn off your phone, turn off your computer, turn off your tv, and just breathe with no interruptions for at least one hour after work each day.
4. Jay Lenos' "Headlines" is just crazy enough to change my mind about being depressed.:
http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/index.shtml
Go to "Headlines". The crazy pictures alone will crack you up. When the world turns crazy, remember that some editor somewhere printed the headline "Screwdrivers used to tighten, loosen screws", on a very slow news day (My personal favorite)
5. Find a private place just to relax without white noise. Can you clean out a room in your house, get rid of all the junk, and turn it into one of those pretty rooms like in a magazine? I wish I could. In my next house I will have one pretty room without my husband's or daughter's stuff in it where I can sit and read books.
6. Can you plant or make a zen garden in your yard? Even if you don't think you have a space, think again - many zen gardens have been created in small spaces specifically for city dwellers to get away from it all in their own side yard. My favorite magazine article in an old garden magazine is about a woman who took a side yard 3 feet wide and full of weeds and tramp mess and turned it into a beautiful and peacefull garden path walk and won an award for ineventive garden makeover. Take a second look at your unused side space between your house and your fence and rebuild it with a path, a bench, and shade-loving plants for a peaceful, 'secret garden'.
7. Take a long, relaxing bath. No interruptions.
8. The "Hour of Power" with the Reverends Schuller offer positive Christianity in a painless setting. Visit the Hour of Power at www.hourofpower.org for local tv listings and also sign up to put your name on their prayer network.

Good luck and may God Bless you with peace in your soul.

Answer 5

Think of something u used to and still do enjoy more than anything, sit and think of that for a while then go and do it. hang with people that in the past could always put a smile on your face no matter what, and if that dont work gimme a call i will see what i can do lol!

Answer 6

This is a common thing for younger females. I had to go through this with my ex-girlfriend a year or so ago.

You know, one thing I notice that greatly helped is to treat yourself and remember the small things in life you don't notice everyday. Go out one day just by yourself, and go see a movie; go for a walk in the park. Depression is caused when the juices in your body aren't mixing right, what commonly cures this is the motivation to be more outgoing.

Go treat yourself; and if your unsure of your boyfriend, he isn't helping. One thing that helped me was going to see a comedian; if your in the area where they perform, go see a show.

I hope this works out for you..

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Answer 7

sex is one of the best and most effective way to beat depression :-)...ok, it might be hormonal changes too.... there are days when we all feel down without any reason... dont worry sweetie...u will be OK within a few days... ... go for a full body massage or reflexology... trust me it works...

Also please DO GO to the zoo trip coz it will make a wole lot od difference...Just keep ur self busy with doing the things u like doing and u will be fine :-)

Answer 8

A piece of cake.

The luscious chocolate frosting melting in your mouth along with some delicious vanilla icing on a hot summer day. Mmmm!

The taste of oxygen.

Breathe! Love the freshness of the air with the sweet aroma of beautiful flowers.

The joy of having a bed.

Make it and enjoy its warmth in the morning.

Answer 9

I have been where u are after having children. My suggestion is to try to seek professional help if you can't afford it then you can always seek a person to whom you get "reliable" advice from to go through some of your concerns and worries. It very helpful to talk the fact that you are asking for help/advice now is the first step good luck.

Answer 10

for the past two days?

That's not a very long time... You might want to be concerned if you've had the symptoms you described for the last two years or two decades.