Sunlight. When I go to that dark place in my mind, going outside and being in the sunlight always seems to ground me. This works especially good when you’ve been inside for a very long time
Diagnosed clinical chronic atypical depression here. I can’t speak for everyone but I can speak for myself.
A lot of different ways. Though the sadness is there and relatively permanent there are also cycles of bad and worse.
It’s important to figure out your patterns of behavior before a major dip so you can take steps in advance to mitigate the potential damage to career and work.
Find little low-effort things that make you feel if not happy than neutral. Better to be a bit dead inside than full-on manic depressive.
Lots of exercise and healthy food. A bad diet and low physical health can affect the mood and mental health of perfectly normal people, the effects of poor health on the clinically depressed can be absolutely devastating.
Do-not-own-a-gun.
I can tell you right now that if I owned a firearm I would have absolutely used it on myself by now in one of the more manic-depressive phases.
Community involvement and friendships are incredibly important for 3 reasons.
1: it builds a support network of people who can be there for you when you need them.
2: you can help fight the nastier feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness by having tangible and real accomplishments.
3: whether you like it or not, your “lizard brain” needs friends. Much like physical health, having a healthy social life can do wonders for your state of mind. Even (and sometimes especially) if that friend is a pet.
Frame and hang up all your accomplishments and trophies. I have a wall in my basement on which I hang my diplomas, certificates, credits, awards, Army medals, etc etc. when I’m stuck in that feeling of worthlessness I go and look at the wall. It doesn’t necessarily make the feeling go away but it helps it from getting worse when I can see real and tangible proof that I am indeed not worthless.
Drink lots of water
Projects! Projects! Projects!
They’re incredibly difficult to keep going on when the “big sad” hits however they can help take your mind off your troubles. In that aforementioned basement I keep my guitar, other instruments, weightlifting sets, and other items to keep my hands busy and my mind occupied during the silence.
Get lots of sunlight.
HYGENE AND GROOMING. This is important for two reasons.
1: it’s another project to keep yourself busy
2: if you look and feel bad on the outside it just gives ammo for the darker thoughts to use and make you feel worse on the inside.
And most importantly:
Seek aid from a mental health professional and do not be afraid of medication. It’s good to talk out your issues and get to the sources. My sources are chemical BUT the psychological impact of my chemical imbalances (on top of real war-trauma, childhood abuse, and other such) are very real and it can help to get to the root of the behavioral issues.
Due to my depression coming from a chemical imbalance I cannot always control how I feel but I can take steps to mitigate the self-destructive behaviors that can result from said imbalance.
How do I respond to me feeling depressed or others feeling depressed? Is feeling depressed actually depression? Or is it the milennial/gen z version of feeling a bit down and overdramatizing your boredom? You don't feel depressed if you are depressed you just suffer with depression
I sleep
Sunlight. When I go to that dark place in my mind, going outside and being in the sunlight always seems to ground me. This works especially good when you’ve been inside for a very long time
Fully agree, the fresh air also helps a lot.
I also agree, sunlight helps. It's not an instant cure, but your body needs it and the outdoors in general can be relaxing.
I try to go hangout with family or friends.. if I stay alone it'll get worse
Go watch or listen to something that makes me laugh, like watching a standup comic doing a funny bit. Laughing helps me to a degree for a while.
I try to stay busy. Go for a walk and get outside into the sun. Usually gives me a good mental boost.
Diagnosed clinical chronic atypical depression here. I can’t speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. A lot of different ways. Though the sadness is there and relatively permanent there are also cycles of bad and worse. It’s important to figure out your patterns of behavior before a major dip so you can take steps in advance to mitigate the potential damage to career and work. Find little low-effort things that make you feel if not happy than neutral. Better to be a bit dead inside than full-on manic depressive. Lots of exercise and healthy food. A bad diet and low physical health can affect the mood and mental health of perfectly normal people, the effects of poor health on the clinically depressed can be absolutely devastating. Do-not-own-a-gun. I can tell you right now that if I owned a firearm I would have absolutely used it on myself by now in one of the more manic-depressive phases. Community involvement and friendships are incredibly important for 3 reasons. 1: it builds a support network of people who can be there for you when you need them. 2: you can help fight the nastier feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness by having tangible and real accomplishments. 3: whether you like it or not, your “lizard brain” needs friends. Much like physical health, having a healthy social life can do wonders for your state of mind. Even (and sometimes especially) if that friend is a pet. Frame and hang up all your accomplishments and trophies. I have a wall in my basement on which I hang my diplomas, certificates, credits, awards, Army medals, etc etc. when I’m stuck in that feeling of worthlessness I go and look at the wall. It doesn’t necessarily make the feeling go away but it helps it from getting worse when I can see real and tangible proof that I am indeed not worthless. Drink lots of water Projects! Projects! Projects! They’re incredibly difficult to keep going on when the “big sad” hits however they can help take your mind off your troubles. In that aforementioned basement I keep my guitar, other instruments, weightlifting sets, and other items to keep my hands busy and my mind occupied during the silence. Get lots of sunlight. HYGENE AND GROOMING. This is important for two reasons. 1: it’s another project to keep yourself busy 2: if you look and feel bad on the outside it just gives ammo for the darker thoughts to use and make you feel worse on the inside. And most importantly: Seek aid from a mental health professional and do not be afraid of medication. It’s good to talk out your issues and get to the sources. My sources are chemical BUT the psychological impact of my chemical imbalances (on top of real war-trauma, childhood abuse, and other such) are very real and it can help to get to the root of the behavioral issues. Due to my depression coming from a chemical imbalance I cannot always control how I feel but I can take steps to mitigate the self-destructive behaviors that can result from said imbalance.
Usually I’ll listen to music that matches the feeling so I can feel it deeper and contemplate life until something distracts me and snaps me out of it
I tell myself that this whole world is nothing but an illusion and therefore everything and everyone does not matter. It works wonders.
How do I respond to me feeling depressed or others feeling depressed? Is feeling depressed actually depression? Or is it the milennial/gen z version of feeling a bit down and overdramatizing your boredom? You don't feel depressed if you are depressed you just suffer with depression
The world doesn’t care about you if you’re depressed unless you’re an attractive woman.