How to not be depressed?

Question

I can’t afford therapy and I’ve been in this depressive rut for about a month. My audial tactics aren’t working mainly because I don’t know the cause. I just feel like what’s the point? Of life? School? Working? Family or friends? Like what’s the point of any of it. I’m just really feeling like I want to give up and give this all up because I can’t take it anymore. It’s not like I’m going to amount to anything anyway so I might as well let go now. I can’t find a job, and I can’t move out, I can’t pay my bills, and I can’t graduate. I’m just ready to go.

Answer

There are TONS of online therapy options. Some cheap, some not so much. I use cerebral-it’s $320 a month for 4 therapy sessions and my medication. They also have lower tiers:
“Medication + Care Counseling” plan ($80/month) 
Hop on a video or phone visit with your prescribing provider to start off: Your prescriber will help determine your treatment, and will be available for follow-up appointments to make sure everything is on track.
Get your medication mailed monthly: If prescribed, we’ll ship your medication to your door each month.
Meet your Care Counselor: For clients without in-network insurance, your Care Counselor supports you along your journey with monthly video or phone sessions to discuss progress and learn new skills, like mindfulness. Care counseling is not currently available in Missouri or Oklahoma.
For the “Medication + Therapy” plan (305/month) 
Everything you get in the “Medication + Care Counseling” plan plus  
Meet weekly with a licensed therapist for therapy sessions.
We match you with a list of the best licensed therapists, then you can choose which one is right for you.
This licensed therapist takes the place of a Care Counselor, so they will be checking in on your medication treatment plan and working collaboratively with your prescribing provider.
For the “Therapy” plan ($240/month) 
You will meet weekly with a licensed therapist, but you will not meet with a prescribing provider or have medication delivery services.

Answer

Work out. FORCE yourself to get up and do something. Even when it feels impossible - GET UP. Do something, move your body. The gym saved my sanity many times over even on days I didn’t want to be there. Eat well as well, your body reflects what you put into it.

Answer

Aye buckle up: Depression cannot magically go away and if you are ever going to get better you need to realise a few things.
1) Depression, like other mental illnesses such as anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Autism etc. Are a lifelong thing. Once you have depression you have depression for life. There is no cure for it. In fact, Depression is the lead cause of disability worldwide according to MHFA England, and around 30% of people are diagnose, I think it’s around 50-60% have symptoms but don’t seek a diagnosis.
2) There is no cure for depression but you can treat and manage it. Therapy is a good place to start, unfortunately I’m guessing you don’t have free healthcare. I recommend CBT, it helps you to recognise negative thinking patterns and teaches you to rationalise it. You can also trial medication, but be aware it can take 3-6 months for you to get used to a medication and then you may have to change doses or maybe try a different medication. If you want to go down the medication route, you have to be aware that it can be trial and error - some people are lucky and have the first prescribed medication and it suits them perfectly, others have to try numerous types I’m afraid. I myself have tried three different medications before finding one that actually seems to work.
3) Selfcare is a big factor of managing depression and some of these things may seem pointless but when you regularly practice self care it starts to make a difference. This means doing small things that might increase your mood or distract you from the shitty feelings for a tiny bit: this is stuff like: a hot bath, music that isn’t sad/depressing, drinking your favourite hot drink, taking a walk, socialising, watching something you enjoy, exercising, having a walk, drawing, playing music, playing video games, dressing a certain way, wearing makeup, eating your favourite food etc.
4) The reality is, there will be some trigger for your depression, which therapy can help you find, but the reality is you probably won’t be able to change it. Therefor you have to recognise that You are in charge of yourself, what you do and how you react to certain situations. This means that you have to shift your focus from “ah this sucks” to “yes this is shit, but I will do x to make it a tiny bit better” and x can be something small, like self care from above or big life changing decision.
Depression is difficult and it is not easy. But know that you will have periods where it doesn’t bother you at all, and this could last for years and years and you never know, you might be lucky and be able to treat and manage your depression so it never ever bothers you again. But reality is that throughout your lifetime you will go through periods of depression and periods where it doesn’t bother you at all. Unfortunately it is life, but you will get there.

How to not be depressed?

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