If you don't mind me asking do you have any tips on dealing with depression and loneliness? đ
1. realize that what u are experiencing is a mental illness. a lot of people dismiss depression as simply âfeeling blueâ. itâs a mental illness. and itâs very real.Â
2. realize that the feelings of hopelessness and despair u are feeling are only temporary feelings. they will eventually go away. ur circumstances will improve. donât make a permanent decision based on temporary feelings.Â
3. please consider treatment. this is an illness. please (if u are able to), seek treatment. treatment comes in two forms. therapy and medicine. some people use a combination of the two. some people only use one of the two. talk to ur doctor to determine what form of treatment is best for u.Â
4. if u are using medicine as a form of treatment, please remember to take ur daily dosage. the consequences can be bad if u donât. i remember i was on zoloft and i stopped taking them randomly and like a week later i was very suicidal and i had a nervous breakdown. if u no longer have a desire to take ur medication, please talk to ur doctor so u can get off ur medication SAFELY.Â
5. if u are using therapy as a form of treatment, try ur best to be as honest and vulnerable with ur therapist as u possibly can. they are there to help u. they want to help u get better. a therapist will not only engage with u but will give u coping mechanisms u can use.Â
6. if u cannot afford a therapist, there are several other options. u can try a training clinic, which offers clients a sliding scale. u can also try attending a support group. most of the time support groups are free and if they do charge, they are much more affordable than individual therapy. support groups are great because u might can relate to others who are also suffer from depression. itâs a safe space and a great way to vent ur feelings. u can also read self help books! my mom is like the queen of reading self help books!Â
7. here is a list of coping thoughts that i received when i went to the mental hospital in june. these may be helpful to u also.Â
âmistakes happen. nobodyâs perfect.â
âI can take all the time I need right now to let go and relax.â
âItâs okay to feel sad/anxious/afraid sometimes.â
âThis situation sucks, but itâs only temporary.â
âIâve survived other situations like this before, and iâll survive this one too.â
âThis situation wonât last forever.â
âmy thoughts donât control my life. i do.â
âthis is an opportunity for me to learn how to cope with my fears.â
This is what a therapist said when i went to group therapy with the other patients and this stuck with me. i wrote it down when i took notes. âBased on ur perception of reality, act in a way that reflects whatâs important to u. whatever it takes that makes life enjoyable and meaningful. if you donât, others will make choices for u and ur life will go in a direction u donât want it to go. do what makes ur life what u want it to look like. Take action. Accept reality as it is. no excuses. no lies. see urself and ur environment clearly. U can survive any thought or feeling. Donât run from them. itâs okay to have these feelings. Just Donât camp out in those feelings. Like the kid in walmart yelling and screaming and throwing tantrums. let ur feelings persist.â
8. to combat feelings of loneliness, learn to spend time with urself and enjoy it. moments of solitude can be satisfying if u love urself and u enjoy ur own company. write down a list of ur favorite hobbies and do them. by urself. make a list of qualities that u love about urself and dwell on the list that u wrote. keep it around u to remind urself of the great qualities that u have. also use this time to nurture healthy relationships and interactions that u do have. there is nothing wrong with seeking interaction with others will u feel lonely. solitude is great but itâs also great to spend time in the company of those that love us.Â
9. also, please remember, never sweep any abuse or trauma that u have endured under the rug. the sooner u acknowledge it, the sooner u can heal and recover. if u have dealt with any trauma and abuse, please talk with a professional about this. trauma and abuse should NEVER EVER be taken lightly.Â
10. if u ever feel suicidal, please remember that u are loved and u are not alone. i hope u heal and recover soon baby.