How to deal with depression when you can't afford therapy?

Question

My depression is getting worse every day to the point where I don't have energy to get out of bed. I don't know what to do anymore.

Malgaran · Accepted Answer

As someone who have been depressed since I was around 10-12 ish, I always found a lot of the stuff people say is just nonsense. But I suppose it might be different since I had it so early, it becomes a part of you, your nature even, that it will never be anything to "cure" cause it involves deleting who you are as a person.

Anyway, I don't know your circumstances, but life is no doubt filled with ups and downs. Some days are harder than others, I think it's important to focus on the small victories sometimes. Even something as simple breathing. Like pat yourself on the back I mean, for surviving a day, for still be being alive, even sometimes for a simple minute, that you are still breathing. Allow yourself to feel sorry for yourself too, cause sometimes all you have is yourself, just don't let it consume you. For most people I would say depression can be temporarily and for them it might help with all the standard answers you get from Doctors and therapists etc. Exercise, be out in the sun, eat healthier etc. For me It didn't do anything, other than might make some things worse, particularly being out in the sun, I hate the sun, lol. Going for walks at night was more soothing for me for example. Meds didn't help either, if anything it make things worse as well. They don't ever help or fix your problem, if anything it prevents you from fixing anything. At best they freeze the problem, so you can endure and stay alive, this is like the only time meds might help someone.

Another thing that might help is to simply talk. Just some online friends or whatever is probably good enough, key is to be simply heard. Being heard, gives you more room in your head to fix things on your own, it's essentially what therapy does anyway. I don't know which country you live in, but where I'm from as well as most neighbor countries offer free therapy, I didn't even know this myself until like 5 years ago, even though it has been around for 20 years at least.

Anyway again, focus on what works for you, regardless what people say. Be sure to remind yourself of your small victories, even yes simply breathing. People don't know what it's like to be in your shoes, but you do. You even know it's an achievement to be alive.

ChrisMaster69 · Accepted Answer

Really sorry to hear and this is why this stuff should be free at point of use.

I would look at why you get depressed, when it started, how is started (as in the initial trigger).

if there's are more than one reason, write down the reason for depression or other mental health issues.

Then write down what would help for each, be realistic.
for example, say it was body weight, then exercising is a positive and a goal would be x kgs in 3 months.

As @diegoo said, music, writing, painting, craft stuff all this gives you an out flow, poetry is a great way to compose how you feel, even better if you add in a picture.

Photography also is a good outlet. Keeping a journal also is beneficial, especially if you describe about what was occurring when your depression hit the hardest, how you felt at that time and importantly how you got out of it. Some poetry links below.

https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/copingwithdepression/2018/5/how-poetry-helps-depression-and-could-end-depression-stigma

https://medium.com/the-ascent/if-journaling-isnt-making-you-better-try-writing-poetry-ff05974b1e29

https://thetempest.co/2019/02/22/now-beyond/how-art-helps-your-health-and-happiness/

you need to look at why you are depressed, be brutally honest with yourself.

Look to your strengths and work these with your depression, try to do things that provide either an outlet for your depression and or allow you to focus on other things, archery is a really good focus sport as you can close your mind down, chess, martial arts.

there is more but it gets to be a wall of words.

wheresmrcunnunglis · Accepted Answer

Listen to therapy centered podcast that talk about what you're going through. Watch YouTube videos from therapist sharing their take on topics related to what you're going through. Read blogs of the same nature as the two aforementioned. Write your thoughts in your journal without editing yourself and with reckless abandon so you can release it from your mind, if only temporarily. Hug yourself and tell yourself your worth it and deserve to be happy. Kiss yourself on the shoulders as you do so too. Comfort yourself like you wish someone else would. Get out of the house or your room every now and then to take a walk. Or make plans to go to nearby park so you can take a walk there.

All of the suggestions I shared all have one thing in common which is that they do not cost money.

Get in touch with that inner voice that is telling you what's a good thing you should do for yourself. Trust yourself and be well.

Kroberts16 · Accepted Answer

I always found that you are your best therapist. You need to do some soul searching and work on what's making you sad. You should find one thing every morning that is positive and let that begin your day. Starting the day off with positive thinking helps. When you feel anxious, practice deep breaths a few at a time and/or do something active and focus on it to clear your mind, like going for a run or a walk or cleaning a room, etc. the world is full of negativity so try to tune it out and focus on positives.

Clairvoyant · Answer

I completely understand how you feel. Have you thought of what has been causing your depression? If it is self doubt, then you can maybe plot down all the things you have, can do, and etc. If that does not helps, you can perhaps listen to songs about positive thoughts or a podcast. For me, when I had depression before, I wasn’t able to do anything about it but calming music such as chill/emotional songs helped my day better. You could also maybe watch/listen to comedy. Laughing really helps people forget the sad times. For example, Jimmy O. Yang is a great comedia in my opinion. If you have any contact with friends, maybe try having a fun time or a conversation together? Maybe go to a concert that you both like or an outside activity? And remember to not think about negative things! Even just for a day, think of all the fun positive things. If someone judges you, just ignore them. It’s not every single person’s opinion in the world. I hope you depresión goes away soon.

Rohan-Thanekar · Answer

Hey I can feel you. I had faced something similar like this. I was at my extreme stage of depression where I didn't even smile for 1 full year. After that even if I wanted to smile I didn't know how to smile. So used to take therapy sessions on how to smile. But that was about my past.

But currently I'm very happy in my life. I spend my time working on my carrier, friendship & spiritual experiences. Now when I look back I wished I had someone to monitor me or just to keep a check on me.. I guess if that happened I wouldn't had needed any therapy. I advise you ask your loved one to keep a keep a check on you. This will help a lot & if there is one one then you can anytime ask me. We can always sort these things in private. As I know how it feels😊

joeldalton · Answer

1) Eat a healthy diet
2) Exercise 40 minutes a day - even walking
3) Get out of bed first thing in the morning and make your bed. That way no matter how bad things are, you have a nice freshly made bed to go to sleep in.
4) Make a list of things you want to accomplish. Make a goal to do at least ONE of the things on your list. The next day make a goal to do TWO things on the list, etc.
5) Connect with friends and family.
6) Volunteer at a homeless shelter or animal shelter. Give of yourself to others.

exitseven · Answer

I had a friend that is a wellness coach told me that depression can be caused by being out of the loop of control of certain things in your life. I was depressed and I tried to take steps to regain control of some of the things that I felt that was making me depressed. It was working pretty good until we had Covid and I became unemployed.

Babygirl_S · Answer

-Drink coffee and go out for a run. You will certainly feel better afterwards.
-Avoid social media
-Spend time with the ones you like
-Eat healthy and take care of yourself
-Listen to upbeat music
-Have a bubble bath
-Try aromatherapy
-Watch a good movie
-Get enough sleep
-Get a hobby like painting, cooking etc.

OmegaSTC · Answer

You should be able to find someone through insurance. However, for the time being you could try and go find a place to sit in the sun with some green. Vitamin D and nature both cause surges of dopamine. Find a good place to cry or whatever, but find a safe place to sit and feel the warm

dtweed1996 · Answer

You’ll learn to love with it like no therapist or psychiatrist has been able to cure me of depression I just live with it where I lack care for most things in life and I only smile once and awhile I sleep for like 4 hours or less and sometimes I sleep with my eyes open the academic is unknown to me most of the time I only know because of it I lack care for most things in life i became nocturnal where I really lay awake threw the night

TheBigGuy9 · Answer

Is God in your life? I was born with a rare neurological disorder that prevented me from playing basketball in college. I have a blood clotting disorder. Was pounding 45 5mg Oxycodones for 5 years. Am a Felon and I’m doing fine. I’ve lived in my own since I was 18. Worked since I was 14.
You should have insurance even if you don’t have a job. Do you have one? Why are you depressed?

Pohjolan · Answer

Sauna, some studies suggest that sauna has a antidepressant effect without negative side effects.
Also different stress factors have a cumulative effect so sleep enough, eat healthy and workout. Go for a walk if you can't make it to the gym yet.
Its not going to make you not depressed but you feel less shitty.
Don't do too much doom scrolling.

Cat__girly · Answer

Know that you are worth it no mater how others treat you (i would know) I know its hard so hard literally probably a 100% hard too not hurt yourself and to be cool with what you've done in your past but your mistakes don't determine who you are and neither does ratings on attractiveness /how pretty or handsome you are. YOU ARE WORTH IT and people do love you Stay Strong girl :)

Chlo3_2001 · Answer

This is where I believe in a fully universal healthcare system globally. No one should suffer like this.

Anonymous · Answer

my anxiety is like this. around 20 years old it started outta nowhere, its really bad too. i actually go to therapy too, all they wanna do is jam medicine down your throat and get you out the door. much different than when you're a child and people at least pretend to care.

Kittycurious · Answer

Try St John's Wort. Mmake sure there are no interactions with other meds that you may be on. There are many. Also Ashwaganda for stress

Omar5881 · Answer

What broke my depression cycle are two things , when a woman was interested in me which introduced the idea of me being likable and figuring out what i like to do in life which is learning , so maybe try and find or attain these two things

InferiorElegy · Answer

Assuming you live in either Canada or the States and you're female as your profile says, there are programs and places you can go and they will set you up with a therapist for free, you just have to search them out.

Anonymous · Answer

Tryna connect to Allah/God n talk to that one n only powerful creator n build your faith n trust n ask him for better days n better state of heart n mind... for that u at least have to believe on him or his existence

DiegoO · Answer

I use creative writing and visual arts. Powerful therapy. Sure, you can go for music, or anything that let you discharge negative emotions in a healthy manner.

Kinkysportguy · Answer

I just suffer in silence, I was on antidepressants but the doctor stopped them so now I just live with depression.

LivingExample · Answer

Do a Self Evaluation to figure out what you are really depressed about. If you can change it, change it. If it is something you cannot change, finds ways to make it easier to Live with!

Anonymous · Answer

I can't really see one either. Not because of money problems, but literally because my parents won't let me see one. Just try to find something affordable online.

my_name_is__ · Answer

Therapy isn't free, but going to a doctor is. I'm sure they can help too. <3

Staximus · Answer

Get out of bed. Exercise daily. Get sunlight on your skin as much as the weather permits. Have an orgasm daily. Let people hug/cuddle you.

Iron_Man · Answer

Go to a clinic in your area they charge about three dollars per session that’s what I did when I had my claustrophobic issues after a bad nightmare

jahaims · Answer

Try to eliminate anything that adds to it. Depression is usually cumulative

OddBeMe · Answer

Meds have been helping me. Even generic Effexor is only $20 a bottle. If you can get health insurance it’s only $5

Slim57 · Answer

Talk to friends or family or whoever else you can can confide in, I'm always open to talk about whatever with anyone going through depression too if you need

Anonymous · Answer

Make more money to afford psychotherapy (e. g. a 2. nd job). Or keep suffering from depression. No other way.

TurkishDİxon3419 · Answer

Turn to religion. Religious people are mentally strong.

Anonymous · Answer

Have you tried going for a jog. Rub some dirt on it.

Anonymous · Answer

try to think of the positive things in your life if any. be honest i really can't answer that as i suffer from bad depression

Pika_chu · Answer

Spending a good with Best friend can be a good therapy.

RawIronhide · Answer

Do you do meditation?

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Music, a dog, a friend to talk to, a good cry.

Wise4myage · Answer

Can't you see a doctor and get on some meds?

driven159 · Answer

there are groups you can go to

TheBiggestBelieber · Answer

talk to me

How to deal with depression when you can't afford therapy?

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How do you cope with depression if therapy and medication hasn't helped?

How to deal with depression when you can't afford therapy?

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How do you cope with depression if therapy and medication hasn't helped?

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