how do i overcome depression?

Question:

Answers:
If you are feeling sad, then I would try going out in the sun, doing some sport (that releases endorphynes), dressing up.. helps to feel pretty, going out and smiling, even if you don't feel like it.. smile, and the world will smile back..

On the other hand, if you are feeling like life has no meaning, that could be medical depression, and drugs could help.. so it might be wise to visit your doctor..

Other Answers:
Smile!

Go seek medical advice from your GP/MD and he/she will help you.

cry it all out, write it out, sing it loud, talk to somebody, get help tips from books and trusted website.

Talking to people, a problem shared is a problem halved!

seek professional help. there are medications out there that will help. gl

I use learning something new everyday to help me to feel better about myself and maybe some reading on the subject of mental depression for Ideas on different ways to combat it.

If you start to feel like life isn't worth living call your nearest county mental health center; or talk to a really close friend or your doctor

Do whatever makes you happy, providing it's legal. I listen to music. It always works. I actually suffer from deep depression. Music always works for me. If I don't have music available, I take a long walk.

~El-Matto

Depression (mood)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Sad" redirects here. For other uses, see Sad (disambiguation).
"Sadness" redirects here. For the video game, see Sadness (video game).
Depression, or, more properly, a depressed mood, may in everyday English refer to a state of melancholia, unhappiness or sadness, or to a relatively minor downturn in mood that may last only a few hours or days. This is quite distinct from the medical diagnosis of clinical depression. However, if depressed mood lasts at least two weeks, and is accompanied by other symptoms that interfere with daily living, it may be seen as a symptom of clinical depression, dysthymia or some other diagnosable mental illness, or alternatively as sub-syndromal depression.

In the field of psychiatry, the word depression can also have this meaning of low mood but more specifically refers to a mental illness when it has reached a severity and duration to warrant a diagnosis; see Clinical depression. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) states that a depressed mood is often reported as being: ". depressed, sad, hopeless, discouraged, or 'down in the dumps'." In a clinical setting, a depressed mood can be something a patient reports (a symptom), or something a clinician observes (a sign), or both.

A depressed mood is generally situational and reactive, and associated with grief, loss, or a major social transition. A change of residence, marriage, divorce, the break-up of a significant relationship, graduation, or job loss are all examples of instances that might trigger a depressed mood.

Contents [hide]
1 Subjective experience of being depressed
1.1 Sadness
2 Determinants of mood
2.1 Environment
2.2 Psychological Factors
2.3 Physiological Considerations
3 Adaptive benefits of depression
4 Depressed mood in literature and culture
5 See also
6 External links

[edit]
Subjective experience of being depressed
The feeling of depression is one of emotional suffering, sometimes seen as a mental analogue of physical pain. Someone who is depressed may be said to have a 'heavy heart', or if more seriously depressed be 'broken-hearted', because of a common sensation of the emotion in the chest. Other somatic expressions can be a sense of 'low spirits', a 'drag' or being weighed down, and a heaviness in breathing, expressed as despondent or dejected sighing. It may also be associated with apathy, boredom, emptiness and lack of any positive source of interest or joy.

Depression - in this non-medical sense - may be caused by a loss or personal failure (as in sadness), personal rejection, or indeed by any undesired outcome or situation, particularly if the situation happens or continues despite the efforts of the subject. In addition to sadness, there can in a depressed mood be a conscious resignation that the unpleasant situation is difficult to change. Usually whatever causes the state of depression is consciously recognised as the cause, which is not necessarily the case with longer-term clinical depression. Other conscious factors in maintaining depression may be loneliness and long-term stress.

External affective signs of depressed mood also include a physical hunching or stooping, or putting the head in the hands, and an appearance of being physically subdued, and flatness of speech. See also Dysphoria.

[edit]
Sadness
Sadness and sorrow tend to refer to a feeling about specific events, whereas 'depression' can be a state of more generalised, and possibly chronic, gloom and despondency that is not relieved by companionship or hope. Sadness is more likely to involve weeping as an external sign, and the corresponding subjective experience of tension in the throat.

[edit]
Determinants of mood
Depression can be the result of many factors, individually and acting in concert.

[edit]
Environment
Reactions to events, often a loss in some form, are perhaps the most obvious causes. This loss may be obvious, such as the death of a loved one, or having moved from one house to another (mainly with children), or less obvious, such as disillusionment about one's career prospects. Monotonous environments can be depressing. A lack of control over one's environment can lead to feelings of helplessness. Domestic disputes and financial difficulties are common causes of a depressed mood. Love, or lack of being able to express your feelings can lead to a feeling of unexplainable sadness or grief.

[edit]
Psychological Factors
Sometimes the depressed mood may relate more to internal processes or even be triggered by them. Pessimistic views of life or a lack of self-esteem can lead to depression. Illnesses and changes in cognition that occur in psychosis and dementias, to name but two, can lead to depression. Depression may also be comorbid with cardiovascular disorders. [1].

[edit]
Physiological Considerations
A diathesis-stress model of depression (including clinical depression) is now widely accepted. This implies that underlying personality has some degree of influence over how the mood of individuals is affected by life events. The social, psychological and biological etiology of depression is still being actively investigated. The causal relationship with biological variables is unknown and so it is difficult to pinpoint the condition's roots. Some general physiological considerations include genetics (i.e. a hypothesised innate disposition to depression), neurochemistry (e.g. high levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, low dopamine activity), sleep patterns, female hormone imbalance (e.g. PMS in women), male hormone imbalance (testosterone) in men, use of medication (e.g. corticosteroids), chronic illness (e.g. diabetes or hypothyroidism), and seasonal factors (e.g. seasonal affective disorder related to hormones and sunlight). See Clinical depression.

[edit]
Adaptive benefits of depression
While a depressed mood is usually seen as deleterious, it may have adaptive benefits. The loss of a loved spouse, child, friend or relation, a physical illness or loss of lifestyle, tends to lead to feelings of depression. Freud noted the similarities between mourning and depression (then called melancholia) in a now famous paper entitled, "Mourning and Melancholia". The depressed mood is adaptive in that it leads the person towards altering their thought patterns and behavior or way of living or else continues until such a time as they do so. It can be argued that depression and clinical depression is in fact the refusal of a person to heed the call to change from within their own mind. For example, in mourning it is essential that one must eventually let go of the dead person and return to the world and other relationships.

Depression appears to have the effect of stopping a person in their tracks and forcing them to turn inwards and engage in a period of self reflection; it is a deeply introspective state. During this period, which can last anything from days to years, the individual must find a new way to interpret their thoughts and feelings and reassess the extent to which their appraisal of their reality is a valid one.

Seasonal affective disorder may point to an atavistic link with behaviour in hibernation.

[edit]
Depressed mood in literature and culture
Unlike jealousy or anger, a mild depressed state is not intimately associated with a motive for action, and this is a likely reason for it being under-represented in drama. The journey of King Lear could be seen as a state of depression seeking forgiveness and redemption, although it is arguably pathological. Many of the works of Anton Chekhov, such as Uncle Vanya, involve either depressed mood or clinical depression. On the other hand, sorrow and regret perhaps occur much more commonly in literature, and tragedy, where the audience or readers may share to sadness or despair of the characters, is seen as one of the greatest of art forms and perhaps the most profound. The films and plays of Ingmar Bergman cover both bereavement (as in Virgin Spring) and depressed mood (Wild Strawberries).

One of the most famous examples of depression in literature is Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther, and for this reason it is referred to in Frankenstein. A similar example in music is Schubert's Winterreise, a setting of poems by Wilhelm Mueller. See also Melancholy.

A Pietà is an example of the representation of grief and sorrow in Christian art. Self-portraits of Frida Kahlo often show her depressed state. Many more examples could be added.

[edit]
See also
Emotion and memory
Melancholy
Angst
Grief
Clinical depression
[edit]
External links
Depression at the Open Directory Project (as a disorder)
Literature, Arts and Medicine Database New York University

it may sound stupid but smile laugh out loud enjoy life learn to luv urself i no its hard ant not as easy as dat. start every day wit a fresh shower ull soon feel better look at d people around u wu love u. b thanful 4 all dat u have got and all u have acomplished in ur life so far. start a new course join the gym go 4 long walks watch a gud comedy treat urself to somethin new ull soon fell much better
Source(s):
myself hey i it worked 4 me

try smile a day, and try yoga, if you know about

Walk,find something that you are very good at.drink
Lots of water don't take depression pills they don't work
at all think about your mom or your boyfriend if you have
One go to the movies get out and do something with your
Life.then you will feel alot better i promise you this.

You can get anti deppressants from the doctor which can have quite serious side effects such as suicide, or you can go into counselling, or you can do it yourself, this is a very hard route but if you overcome it yourself through sheer bloody mindedness you will have a permanently better attitude to life.
Source(s):
Own experience

For mild/moderate depression, you could try the herbal remedy St. John's Wort - it really is good and works quickly. Only thing is you can't take it with other medication including the contraception pill (it stops them from working properly). Exercise also really really helps, even just a walk every day can brighten your spirits. You need to know where the depression has originated from though, in my case I was unhappy with my husband and didn't want to admit it to myself.

I agree with battosai_20 too, put on some music - it really lifts my spirits when I'm down.

There are two types of Depression, Clinical Depression which is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and Emotion Depression which is caused by trauma or events in your life such as bereavement or family relationships.
You should start by seeing your GP who should be able to refer you to someone who can find out what is causing you to feel depressed.
Find out more about Depression at these sites
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/classification_000001.htm
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=127§ionId=16435

Talk to Dr. Phil from the show.. No! I have the same problem.. You need to go talk with your doctor and see what he/she says.. If needed, get on medication.. Then if you are involve with some kind of group gathering such as church, women's bridge, or something like that.. Talk with someone that you feel comfortable to talk with. Talk with people that has the same problem.. Every help is good. My depression is due to my going blind.. Not only I am going blind, I am hard of hearing.. So I have both hearing loss and vision loss.. Talk with someone that has the same issue of depression you are going though..

All the other answers were good. You really should go to a Dr. Meds help alot but they take FOREVER to work a good 4-6 weeks before they kick in so go now. There are a few good websites that you can talk to people. One is called About.com. They cover everything so you'll have to punch in depression once you get there. It's a forum like this where you can ask people ?'s or just talk. It was really great the last time I was depressed. Helped me a ton to know that MANY other people feel this way. I hate the feeling of being different than everybody else. But your not honey, like I said go to the Dr check out some websites. If you are close to your family surround yourself with them, they tend to help a lot too. I'll pray for you it is very difficult to get thru but can be done. Just hang in there it usually passes. If you start to feel worse or think you may harm yourself go to the hospital they can check you in for a day or two, that would only be if you want to hurt yourself otherwise I don't reccommend that one. Do you have a pet? Sometmes it helps to be able to love on something. My dog is so huggable and lovable form my depression bouts. I have suffered from depression for the last 20 years honey, sometimes are harder than others but they are all doable k you can make it thru this I know you can. Really should go to a Dr tho cuz without treatment I'm not sure you can make it. Depends on the severity of your depression but I wouldn't chance it just go in honey. Good luck

cuddles from the one you love,i suffer from depression no matter what i am doing, how much money i have, all that works for me is a cuddle

start meditation, yoga has pranayama just for this, it really helps.

Depression is caused when an event has happened in our lives that we feel unable to cope with. These feelings are triggered by our memory and thoughts created from them. The best way to overcome them is by substituting the bad memories/ thoughts with new, positive ones. I was depressed following a stroke I suffered. Being in the company of good people and living in a positive environment helps.

Talk to your friends about whats bothering you.no friends ring the Samaritans or talk to your doctor.But remember your not alone lots of people get depressed

it will pass, its like a storm but the sun will always come out at the end of it, just hold on tight, and make sure you try and think positive all the time, just take it as it comes, be strong, its all in your head! there is a light at the end of the tunnel i promise.

Depression is normal. People have been dealing with depression for the history of man. See a psychologist first and try to work it out. I would recommend trying not to take drugs for it because they really don't know what exactly causes depression in the brain and its trial and error with trying out each medication. Doctors seem to hand out pills for depression like they are candy and its not a good thing. The mind can and will learn to deal with bad issues in your life and with each bad issue you get more and more used to it. These meds make it so your mind doesn't have to deal with them. These meds can also make your depression worse and even suicidal.

For each thing that is bad in your life, think of two good things. There are support groups for you so that you know it's a common occurrence. Just keep your chin up and remember that life is great, it's not all great but that's what life is. No promises and no guarantees, but YOU make the decisions in your life, so you can make the decision to work every day to try to be a little happier.

walk everday atlest 10 km visit parks with friends and family members avoid smoking

have fun, go to the movies, do anything besides staying in the house, it always helps to be around friends and family

When you are depressed, Just sing praises to Almighty God, He would be moved to turn around your life in all respect.

First, you must find out the root that cause your depression.
Next, you must be able to balance your mind with the attitude of "mind over matters".
I know it is very easy to say then to be done, but I was suffering from it before and ended up at the mental hospital.
You must tell yourself how blessed you are with so many people loving you and worry for you. If you are sad, they will be more sad than you are but if you are happy, they will be more happy than you are. Think seriously, find a reason that would not cause any depression. Example your loved ones.

Please see the webpages for more details on Depression.
When extreme and prolonged, especially if suicidal tendencies appear, depression must be considered a form of mental illness. If actively and apropriately treated, depressions can usually be lifted in a comparatively short time.

forget abt everything, and jus think abt all the nice things that av happened to you

Apart from the medics, Samaritans, priests, social workers, friends, and this forum - where you could also ask more questions.

Each person tries to find their own answers to this question. Some of my answers were:
1) Maths 2) walk 3) try to obey my own conscience more thoroughly 4) hobbies. 5) Best of all - I spoke to other people. They ask me questions like the one you asked. Sometimes, I may make a difference, other times I may be like aspirin, producing a short temporary distraction.

take each day as it comes i am just over depression myself i was on antideppresants and they helped a lot it depends what kind of depression you have my depression was cause by losing 3 pregnancies i nearly had a break down when i lost the 3rd one

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how do i overcome depression?

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