Treating yourself as you would treat a small child Practicing mindfulness Reminding yourself that you’re not alone Giving yourself permission to be imperfect
Think about how you respond when someone offers you support. Do you argue with them, as though you’re trying to prove how worthless you are? This can make you feel worse, and make other people less willing to help. Pay attention to your responses to these situations. Learn to stop and say “thank you” instead.
Talking in person or over the phone tends to work better than talking through text or online chat. [3] X Research source Keep in mind that you will get out what you put into relationships. If you never contact other people to make invitations, then don’t expect them to do the same.
Try volunteering. [5] X Expert Source Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSWPsychotherapist Expert Interview. 21 July 2020. Helping others can be a great way to feel good about yourself. Join a club, a religious organization, or class at a local community college. Practice talking to strangers to get to know them better.
During a mental health crisis, contact a suicide hotline. These are available through online chat and phones worldwide. Look for your country at Befrienders. org, suicide. org, and iasp. info.
Click here to learn more signs of depression.
In the United States, search this map of support groups. There are many online support groups or depression forums as well, including the DBSA alliance, depression-understood. org, or the collection listed at psych central. You may even want to look into Youtube channels that deal with depression. This can help you to find a community of people who are having similar experiences.
End each entry with something you’re grateful for. Remembering small things like a good cup of coffee or a stranger smiling at you can boost your mood.
Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs. While they may make you feel better in the short term, they often make it harder to fight your depression. Overcome your addiction with professional help if necessary.
You might need to try out several therapists before you find one that you are comfortable with. Give it time to work. Many people visit a therapist weekly for six to twelve months. [9] X Research source
A combination of medication and therapy may be the most effective treatment, especially for teenagers. [10] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Mental Health Informational website from U. S. government focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness. Go to source Medication alone is typically less effective over the long term.
