Those who are dealing with depression/have overcome it, how long did it take to feel better?

Question

How long did it take you to realize that you're depressed and need help? Also, did you take the help of family/friends, made lifestyle changes and all to overcome that miserable feeling or did you directly see a therapist? How long did it take you to feel better?

dangerDoge · Accepted Answer

Frankly, every person is going to be different, and one person’s fix may not help another. Growing up, I had a very fragile emotional self, but I was sort of able to glide along with enough talent and a touch of hardwork. However, I faced bigger adversity in college with life/school/stress/etc.. and it hit me hard. It was a long time coming. I tried seeing a therapist. Didn’t help. Only positive I got was a diagnosis of depression.

My way of getting through depression ended up being mostly contributed to:
1.) Finding something that made me feel “I have self worth.” For me, I found this in helping people on GAG cheesily enough. Even now, a part of the reason I get motivated to write long answers (aka my attempts of me being helpful) is because I get a sort of self satisfaction knowing I helped someone. Having a “thank you” of some sort makes me feel like I made a positive impact, and it makes me think I served a purpose somewhere / I’m not a waste of space.

2.) Finding friends that normalized my situation more (without putting it down) and made it so I didn’t feel restrained. Weirdly enough, what I did was join a casual chat group that didn’t have any ties to my social circle whatsoever. This was enough for me to feel like they wouldn’t impact my life if I were to mess something up, so I felt less restrained. A big problem I had was that the more depressed I became, the more I was scared of talking to friends/family about anything, because I’d be concerned anything about my depression would slip.

3.) Finding a positive stress reliever. I found joy in writing music more or less. More specifically, the feeling of finishing a piece made me feel accomplished, and it gave me goals to work for and something small to look forward too seeing how much I could improve.

4.) Learning about the depression, how it works, stats, etc.. I actually became a psych major, and from there I learned more about the brain. It made the issues I was going through feel less mysterious, and mystery is your enemy.

My way of keeping away from being depressed boils down to mainly:
1.) I still have healthy stress relievers (aka music).
2.) I started to acknowledge more that a lot of things in life aren’t perfect, but I have more control over things than I may think. The only thing stopping me most of the time is drive, but it’s not ability. I think getting better at music proved that to myself, and the act of doing that gave me some drive.
3.) I openly talk about my depressive episode freely now when it comes up and without shame. It happened in my life, and I’m better for it. I’ve brought it up to parents/other family members, and not hiding it makes it feel less scary. Avoidance is only going to cause more issue, hence that is the underlying cause of phobias.

AndrésC64 · Accepted Answer

I've been dealing with depression for at least 30 years. I've been in and out of therapy for most of that time but I been on meds of one sort or another for practically that whole time. Sometimes it's worse than others, but it never completely goes away. I rate my depression on a 1 - 5 scale. 1 is the background depression that is always there and never goes away. 2 is when I'm starting to feel it more frequently. 3 is when it's getting bad enough but I start having suicidal ideation. 4 is when I'm actually planning. 5 would mean that that I'm out the door. I had some extremely severe depression about 17 years ago after I lost my job, got divorced and my mom died all within 8 months. It got so bad that I attempted suicide twice. I'm coping with it now through various meds and seeing a therapist once a week. Like I said, I honestly don't think that I will ever be completely free of depression. Really what keeps me going is knowing how much I must have hurt my sister when I attempted suicide. I can't do that to her again.

Aerissa_Jade · Accepted Answer

If you can find out what triggered it, often not just one thing though then it helps. Many times you have no control over what caused it.

It is a disorder for sure and should be treated as such. I get tired of people saying it is a choice, to snap out of it... like its not big deal or they had the exact same thing happen to them and didn't get depressed so something is wrong with you.

Some people don't get it, and I can't say I'll ever over come mine. I just try to manage it best I can and expect to have it my entire life. Sometimes I can go months without a problem and things are great, but then I get flash backs to my attack that triggered it all years ago and I start suffering from it again and it can take months to get out of that again.

Agape93 · Accepted Answer

How long did it take you to realize that you're depressed and need help?
About a year after some bad times in life a few years ago. As for getting help for it, late last year.

Also, did you take the help of family/friends, made lifestyle changes and all to overcome that miserable feeling or did you directly see a therapist?
My best friend and a few friends helped bring me back from the edge, family only made it worse and therapy only came late last year.

How long did it take you to feel better?
A few weeks for the meds to kick in. But without them, 50/50 on whether or not I'd just say fuck it and clock out early.

DaySpring · Answer

I am pretty positive, but I choose a path that can destroy anyones mental health. Not a bad path just a difficult one. There is only one thing that has saved me. Bob Proctor.
I don't believe I am the typical depressed person because I can get rid of mine in like 1 second. I was depressed again like for the first time in a long time a few days ago and all I did to change it was alter my plans. Even if I didn't do that, I know that I was depressed because I was focusing on the problem and not the solution. It's like I sometimes do it on purpose. But yeah if I had a normal life and choose a normal path, I would never be depressed unless lovesick. I am not wired that way. But like I said it was all Bob Proctor. David Goggins helped too. You sound similar and not like the others who have habitual depression. Study Bob Proctor. I have some views on habitual depression too but I don't want to be insensitive to anyone. I don't even want to post this because I cannot go anon.

dysrhythmicheart · Answer

I'm going through the same. I have had episodes since I was 18. I have PCOS so I think that's a contributing factor. It unbalanced all hormones. Currently I take St John's Wort and Ashwagandha. 3 weeks in. I'm feeling better. A hard breakup triggered a deeper depression. But even with him I had signs of it. I do YT videos. Trying not to watch anything sad. Just picked up a novel for distraction. Outside of work I can have issues focusing. I work out regularly and that really helps. Always has. Filled up my Jacuzzi. Took a dip last night. I meditate. Working out and meditation are probably my most helpful activities. You can PM
Was their a major trigger?

TheMajesticKing777 · Answer

My depression doesn't normally last long, because I can get depression out of nowhere or with no reason at all, I believe they are demonic influences when it's just out of nowhere like this, I give my prayers and ask God to take it away and within a few minutes, it goes away, whatever you are going through, I hope you feel better, distract yourself with things that will keep your mind busy, perhaps invest in a gaming console, it can be relaxing to the mind, or mad at the game, I prefer anger over depression any day tho lol

exitseven · Answer

I talked to my doctor about it and he prescribed anti depressants. I do not think they helped much. One day I drove up a one way street the wrong way so I stopped taking them. I had a friend who was a wellness coach. She told me that depression is caused by losing the loop of control of your life. So I thought about when was making me depressed and I started to work towards fixing it,. This gave me a feeling that I was regaining control of my life. It was working until we had covid and I was aid off from my job and was really isolated and I got depressed again. I am just trying to deal with it. I joined GaG to help with the isolation.

Ad_Quid_Orator · Answer

Well one thing you I've come to understand is that it's a downward spiral.

1. Something bad happens and you get depressed
2. You're depressed so you're not doing what you should be doing
3. Because you're not doing what you should be doing, another bad thing happens
4. You get more depressed

And the cycle repeats.

And that's motivated me to reach out to friends and do something to improve my morale to try to stop the spiral from going down another "twist" at stage 2.

Also, just remember that depression impacts your outlook and makes things seem more hopeless than they really are. When you think "things can never get better", just remember that's your depression talking, it's not a reflection of reality.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

All in all a year, completely on my own (plus a few mood-elevators). A doctor once told me that depression can leave the same "phantom pain" as a physical illness, including the potential to come back.
Personally I have learned it is wise to act early in cutting off the problem (given you have identified it, of course).

Emerald55346 · Answer

It’s always good to get therapy for things like this, the best personal advice I can’t give that different from what you tried is find things your passionate about and set some goals that aren’t just for yourself but other people, I find helping others or working towards it makes me feel more purposeful.

Máiiréad · Answer

Been experiencing depression since about 13 and still deal with it to this today. It's very up and down for me... I just learn to deal with it and let myself feel it so that it can pass. Like today actually, I have been dealing with it pretty strongly today but I'm just flowing with it.

Gingerguy33 · Answer

I was depressed for a few years after my ex broke up with me the way I got over and through it was to make my life better physically and financially I got a better and higher paying job started working out and found new hobbies like golfing and kayaking now I feel way better then a did a few years ago

Shamalien · Answer

Usually there is something in your life trapping you in depression. Usually it’s a person or a combination of people. Get a new job, move to a different house, start anew. Reset that shit. Or if you can specifically find who is trapping you, tell them you’re done and never talk to em again. Maybe you’re wrong but hey we need to take chances in life and people come and go. And ofc take responsibility for your situation and more importantly your future

Kaylapremi · Answer

Depression doesn’t go away. At least for me it didn’t. You just learn how to cope, how to control it. You learn new ways to keep going. Seek counseling or try new medication. Talk with close friends/family and take mental health days. That is what has kept me going. And as cheesy as this sounds I live for my dog and family. My dog wouldn’t know why I didn’t come back. Family will grasp that, but that sweet baby will never know. Just lock on something or someone that you know will be devastated without you. Who would want you to keep going.

Guy13 · Answer

Charles Spurgeon and Depression…read about it. From Histronic-Bipolar high into bottom dwellers’ depression.

Tomsta · Answer

I knew fairly instantly i needed help however i did not want it. I was adamant that i can "fix myself" (Plus i didn't have a lotta money being a uni student)

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I had to see a therapist before seeing the doctor but it still helps me

Jaykrisss · Answer

I think I've had it always. Now that im going through hell in my life only thing keeping me alive is the love of my family.

jasco · Answer

I just felt extremely sad for some reason. As for how I got over it? I just told myself to keep going no matter what

AkshiJanjua · Answer

I feel the same way. I get very depressed when live gets difficult. I don't think there's a permanent solution but trying to control our feelings makes it worse

Zolly99999 · Answer

Yes ! I use to take medication but I didn't like the side effects.. For me going hard core to the gym and my car are what really helps me !!!

MrtoddsWildRide · Answer

You have chronic depression. The short answer is that you never really do get past it. I'm sorry to lay that on you, but there it is. It's a lifetime struggle, but it can be managed. Go get some therapy if you aren't already. You will learn new coping skills and get on medication to help.

Jessegirl1998 · Answer

By being around good friends. Cutting out toxic people also helps.

SignedAutographs · Answer

My mom takes stuff for it

Waldoe · Answer

for some of us it is a lifetime battle... accept life and accept that sometimes it sucks

AttAckADaWighka · Answer

I don't know what that is. I feel blank. Everyday. I never feel anything other than physical pain or discomfort

shanom · Answer

Still going through it, only reason I still wake up is my family needing me for financial reasons...

Those who are dealing with depression/have overcome it, how long did it take to feel better?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

For those that suffered both depression and anxiety what helped for you? And does it get better within time?

Those who are dealing with depression/have overcome it, how long did it take to feel better?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

For those that suffered both depression and anxiety what helped for you? And does it get better within time?

We're glad to see you liked this post.