Can one overcome depression by themselves?

The truth is you deal with depression by yourself.

What you can do with other people is relax, sometime learn a bit, etc. In short : forget for little time your current depression, focus on other things, act as if everything was alright.

Because those moment "as everything was alright" are very important to regain some energy and confidence in yourself, or simply be normal even for a shorter or longer moment.

But that's not your friends or whatever who decide it, only the depressed one, if he/she is willing to.

That is why, when the depressed one is in too bad condition to be right-minded in those moments, there may be need of medical drugs and most of all a psychsatrist to (re-)learn some mind-tools and how, when, why use those.

Depression is only caused by one-self's self-victimizing. Be optimistic, look on the bright side, keep a clear mind and don't let small things tick you off.

Depression could be easily cleared by doing simple things, a long warm shower, eating ice cream or take a short nap, when you wake up, think of how you could change.

If you still think you are miserable, think of how much more worse it could have been, think of the dying, the poor, the starving children in Africa, the abused, the oppressed, and think of how you are able to go on the web to read this.

Think, and be thankful.

Did someone just downvoted me? What a sad person. Some people just don't know how to appreciate life.

It's a bit mixed but I would go for 'yes'
Only the victim can ultimately can overcome depression, you can be given all the help, advice, ice cream in the world and you still be depressed.
I was depressed for a short time due to bullying and it got to the point where I broke down in front of my mother. She later brought me tickets to a local comic-con and told me to 'enjoy life more' I went to the comic-con and I saw people, dressed up, being able to enjoy who they are and I thought 'they don't give a fuck, and they're happy as fuck' hmm I should try that

[color=#993300]The purpose of a psychologist is not to give you answers, but to help catalyze the path to recovery. Research has shown that people can just as easily recover from depression with and without a psychologist, a psychologist simply functions as a friend to talk to with some professional experience. From temporarily practicing as a psychologist for a bit, I can tell you that the main purpose of psychologists is to listen. It is important to distinguish, however, that psychiatrists function more as medical doctors, especially because they, not psychologists, can prescribe medication. However, medication is only used for extreme cases that are usually a result from a neurochemical abnormality, a defect, or drug abuse.
Nevertheless, depression can be overcome even without a psychologist or even others. The most important thing to locate in recovering from depression is the source. Additionally, it is important to think of depression as a multi-faceted condition. It can stem from a cognitive perspective where the source may lie from your OWN thoughts. Or it may be biological/genetic and you should consider brain scans and talking to your doctor for this. Or it may be social, coming from a situation in the world that could possibly be out of your control. But if anything, humans are naturally built to rebound. After a period of depression (which can last for months), we naturally leave it. It is only when it lasts an extremely long time (it is commonly accepted to be >6 months), that depression MAY be considered.

Honestly, Cafe, I'm worried about you. We haven't talked in a while. If you have problems, I want to help.

Short answer: I'd like to think so.

Long answer:

It's hard to "overcome" depression. It's not like an illness that will be "easily" cured by medicine. However, living and dealing with depression can absolutely be done by yourself.

In my early teens I was diagnosed with clinical depression and I have dealt with it without counseling or medication.

As for being "cured" of depression sitting in an empty room with nothing to do nor social interaction of any kind I can't say. I know I couldn't, because I know that my downs are brought on by having nothing to do for an extended period of time, so I keep myself busy and occupied with various things, be it work, hobbies, projects etc in order to keep my symptoms at bay.

That being said I think it's different for everyone, I know that some people go into depression when they have too much to do, and at for some having periods where they don't have to do anything, don't have to see anyone and simply don't have any obligations at all might be a good thing, but I can't say.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to say "no." Well, actually, it kind of depends on what the cause of it is. If it's something you're depressed about because of something you did, I'd say you'll be over it in no time, but if it's caused by something someone else is doing, and there's nothing you can do about it, you can't do it on your own.

I'm actually dealing with depression now. The thing is, I was feeling really depressed a few years ago, but when I started watching anime and that made me happy, but because of that, I get offended and take it as a personal insult whenever someone insults it, and a lot of people do that. The reason for my depression now is because some stupid fuckers actually created an entire page on Facebook to shit-talk on it (well, they're actually insulting the fans more, which is worse), and they're allowed to get away with it for some bullshit reasons.

In your case Nikkonolasco, it seems to be obsession. Maybe even some psychotic trouble more than a real/simple neurosis.

people say that it's a stupid thing to be in depression and some label it as a disease, I see depression as life not being good enough for you, depression is my life you could say, people label me depressed but I can be happy and all that shit, I chose to be this way, yes you can overcome depression but only if you know what's causing it

I've suffered through depression for most of my life. I think each individual circumstance is different, however I answered "no".

I think depression and anxiety can go hand in hand. I've battled both off and on. Shutting yourself in can be a setup for developing more anxiety.

What helps me get by:
- Start following a set schedule for yourself, even if you're not working. Use a planner and calendar. Write things down, and do them.
- I used to be a night owl, now I almost loath the dark/cloudy days. I think there is some truth out there that the sun and light can improve your mood.
- Start eating better and exercise. This is always an obvious one, and "easier said than done", but seriously it goes a long way and is worth it. Nothing comes instantly, give it time. You don't have to be better than anyone, what you're doing is simply improving yourself and being better at being you.
- Seek help and tips. The problem I used to have is that I thought I had it all under control, I didn't need help, they didn't understand, etc. When really, all I was doing was limiting myself. Nowadays I have a completely different outlook on this, taking in advice and wisdom from others only makes me a better person, more knowledgeable, and I can take my own spin on the information. Maybe they have something to say I never thought about or noticed, maybe something they'll say will piss me off beyond and belief then, I realize I should figure out why it triggers whatever emotions. Some councilors suck balls or just aren't comparable with you, but don't give up there.

In the end, I would rather fail than not even try or never know. I think that's a good way to look at life nowadays for me. Don't know until you try!

I guess to answer the question, I will say no. It takes a lot for me to say that and admit it, but I have simply become a better person myself because of the influences I've taken in from others.

One of my philosophical viewpoints in life is that almost everything we do is based on a decision. You are depressed because you chose to, but that does not translate to want to just so that is clear.

Talking from personal experience when i got depressed it was because i did not feel very confident, or was thinking too much about i guess you could say. So as to overcome this depression i would have to make a decision to try to move past it, leave it behind and focus and things more relevant and actively look for a purpose to move forwards, instead of shutting myself in at home and such.

However i know that depression is different for many, but i believe it is something you can move past by yourself.

Sorry if i was rambling a bit or made little sense to some people.

I agree. I feel like some people might like having help with there depression and some people don't. Trying to help them could make them more depressed or it could help a little but when it comes down to it only you can make yourself get over your own depression.

Exactly, and also i love that you have that profile pic considering my profile xD

I think that's probably how I'd put it myself. I'm no stranger to depression myself, so... Plus, I'm not exactly strong-willed myself, so that makes it harder to avoid getting depressed or getting out of depression.

i would say one cannot overcome depression by themselves because i am trying to do exactly that and it hasnt been changing much for the past 3 years so my answer is no

I've avoided commenting in this because I didn't have an actual answer, but an opinion on the subject. A subject I understood very little about but liked to believe I knew more about. I've informed myself since.

Depression, is not simple, in any manner. But to "attempt too" simplify, depression can be caused by external factors, internal factors, or damage to the brain.

External factors of depression can be events or environment that induces (often) temporary experiences of depression. These, for the most part, can be worked out by the individual, but if left unattended could cause problems.

Internal factors, the chemical mind. Neurotransmitter govern a large portion of mood, and imbalances in them, specifically Serotonin (which regulates mood, hunger, and sleep) and Dopamine (which regulate emotion, movement, learning, and attention) can cause problems (Depression, among other things) in low amounts. But I've also read Norepinephrine also aids in depression when in low amounts, but I don't yet know much about this neurotransmitter. Then there's the affect of Hormones on mood. (5%+ of the population is said to suffer from chemical imbalances that result in depression.)

Then there's trauma to the brain which have been linked to being able to cause strong cases of depression, and quite often, a resulting suicide.

Yes, to some extent, people can manage through their depression, but that depends on what's inducing it. If it persist, as opposed to gambling, I would say it's better to get qualified opinions, seeing as depression can lead to fatal outcomes.

So to answer the basic question, "Can one overcome depression by themselves". Under specific situations (external cause) to an extent (being able to remove the cause).

I think you can see depression from two angles

1. The chemical angle where your brain doesn't produce/doesn't produce enough of the necessary hormones which can on long sight make you depressed, sad and not finding pleasure in anything.

2. The mental angle where your depression is catalysed by your surrounding or events occurring in your life. I believe this aspect can be leveled. Since mental depressions can be both light and heavy.

The first one, is hard to overcome if even possible by yourself. Since it is something in your system that doesn't work as it should. Of course it can be something mental affecting the system to stop producing the hormones. But if it isn't because of something mental (things might affect you easier when your hormone balance is off, if the mental is the consequence) then I think this serious and it would be better to go to a doctor. They would help you take some pills to rebalance the hormones and psychologist would help you stable out your mentality. Usually things would get solved after ½-1 year sadly for some it takes longer than that. To overcome this by yourself is really difficult.

While if it no. 2. Then yes I think it is possible to overcome it by yourself. Because usually if it is mental you often know the reason why you are depressed and usually by fixing that problem you will go back to normal. Though as I said I think this can be leveled. Since you can be lightly depressed when someone turn you down over and over and might give up on making friends which makes you depressed. Maybe you will go to a psychologist to talk about your problems and feel better and starting from scratch again after. Or it might be something heavier like attempting suicide and maybe even hurt others. Then maybe even a psychologist isn't enough to overcome it. This can take time and for some they just need to talk to someone they are close to and not a stranger (psychologist f.x), for others they just need time with themselves to solve inner or identity problems. But if their will is strong enough they can overcome it! For those who can't overcome it by themselves and struggle with it for a long time might start getting hormone disturbances as a consequence and might need to go to a doctor to get pills.

From my own experience I'm a case two. My depression started from something mental and went quite deep in. Luckily not deep enough for me to take pills but I got the offer a few times and refused. I talked with a few psychologist and that only made it worse. I just holed myself inside a shell and pretended like nothing was wrong (when I was out) but when I was alone I would usually let it all out, cry myself to sleep because that was the only way I would stop thinking and be able to sleep. Cursing the world and stop eating because I didn't have an appetite. Though I knew I couldn't go on like this so I struggled with the things I wasn't satisfied with and tried to change them. I still struggle with it from time to time but I would say I'm pretty much cured. I find pleasure in others company now and am thankful for being alive. So if your will is strong enough I believe you can overcome it by yourself.

It depends, i still voted yes becouse someone who has a strong will eventually can overcome depression. Then again everyone is different so it depends on the person and what caused the depression itself.

And no, staying closed in a room for years with no outside contact wont cure your depression, it will drive you insane and incapable of dealing with society as whole.

It's a hard topic to awnser really, but i do like to believe that some people can overcome it alone, while most would need help of friends , family or even professional depending on how serius it is.

Good luck to everyone who is dealing with some depression, you can do it! :)

I believe so. If one has the will to pick themselves up when they fall, even if they are downtrodden, they will eventually find a way. The answers one finds may not always be right, but it's certainly progress from giving into depression and doing nothing at all.

Regardless of how strong-willed one is, however, a support group of some kind that cares about you always helps. Family is a wonderful thing if you still get along with them, and if not, it may be good to make some new good friends, people that you can trust.

Of course, in the end it's up to the person themselves to rise to the challenge.