The Hidden Weapon Against Depression: Behavioral Activation Explained

As a long time survivor of depression, put brushing your teeth on your "to done" list. Some days, that's the most amazing thing you could have done for yourself and I'm so proud of you for doing it.

I took an online class and when I finished my first assignment, I had such a sudden feeling of accomplishment that it kicked me out of my depression for a little while. It was a completely bizarre experience because I was not used to having those kinds of feelings. I haven’t felt accomplished for so long I forgot what that feels like.

I hope you know you’re saving lives by making your videos. It’s not a substitute for going through therapy, or course. But for those like me who temporarily can not access healthcare, your videos help me. You arm us with information and I am grateful.

I agree that going to the bathroom is a bodily function and that most people don't need to write it down. But some people are so depressed that peeing the bed seems to be a better option than going to the bathroom. So for those people, I think it's important to write it down. I went to the bathroom instead of peeing the bed. I took a shower instead of staying in my pajamas all day. Those are important activities for some very depressed people. Sending lots of love 💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourselves 😷.

Last week, I started writing on a white board what I DID that day, not a to-do list. I feel accomplishment!

Sometimes your so depressed that even a shower or eating seems like a chore. So yeah list grooming because it is self care. And even those thing can take chunks of time to do.

I didn't know this had a name but I pretty much did this to work my way out of depression. One day, I just decided to join every group and every volunteer project I could find. It took awhile, but I became busy, met people, made friends, and helped others which feels great! Helping others directly feels really good. I helped out at a cold-weather homeless shelter by being there and making sandwiches too. We struggled to find volunteers so the shelter could open so I knew my participation was important. I pushed myself to get out and it wasn't easy because I felt so worthless.

My father lost his battle with depression in July of this year. He would lay in bed all day, didn't even want to speak to me when i would visit him. A once perfectly groomed man began to not shower and smell like urine most of the time. His bedroom stayed dark with curtains drawn. I begged him to open the curtains and go outside and get some fresh air a few times a day...but he wouldn't. I wish he could have found it in himself to do more, and i wish i could have said or done something more to help him...

None of these things matter if you are in a negative environment. Getting out on my own and getting a decent career helped improve my depression significantly. Time also heals. I’m not 100% there but I am hopeful that I’ll get where I want to be mentally and emotionally. I will say getting some sun and learning to laugh by watching comedians, etc helped a lot when I was in the depths of depression. I looked into manifesting as well and that works surprisingly well. I wish everyone peace and well being.

One of the most helpful things I've heard when I was depressed was: "Nobody is coming to save you." You can get help and support from people, but nobody can save you. Get up, start doing very small things. I started with 30seconds on my hometrainer bike (with no resistance) every hour on the hour, nothing more, nothing less. I will make myself do this for the rest of my life as a habit to maintain my sanity. My body hurts less, my mind is clearer and the darkness has finally lifted.

I have spent so much time in "therapy" and I have NEVER had a therapist give me actionable things to do. All they ever do is sit and listen to you talk at them. I can't even get mine to give me feedback. I lost faith in the system. This is very valuable and I hope it helps a lot of people who are caught in the God-awfu loop of just existing. ❤l

Sometimes I DO wrote things like ‘wake up’ and ‘use the bathroom’, not because it makes me feel accomplished, but because it’s so silly that it makes me smile. And sometimes it’s the only thing that makes me smile.

I have lived by this since I first started experiencing depression decades ago. It's called: don't give in to what you feel like! as in: isolating, sleeping, staying in bed or inside with curtains closed. I definitely force myself to activate, to reach out not so much because it makes me feel better, but because if I DONT, I will feel worse.

Sometimes I don't want to go to things when I am depressed because they aren't as much fun as they used to be. But they are almost always more fun than staying home and thinking the same negative thoughts over and over.

Even writing things down is too exhausting.

When I am depressed and lethargic, the last thing I want to do is make lists or write in a workbook. We need to know what to do to motivate us to get out of bed and open the workbook.

I was severely clinically depressed for a decade but I did not know until I was diagnosed properly. After a year and a half of treatment via therapy, lifestyle changes, medication and psilocybin my symptoms are in remission and I am on track towards recovery. I encourage anyone who needs help to get help and if you have financial concerns there are many organizations who can help. I am so grateful that I did not give up and that I’m still here.

Wow, the beginning of this video described so well how I’ve been feeling lately. You’re right that it’s a loop: the worse we feel, the less we do, the worse we feel, etc. I heard recently that we are what we do, not what we think. It seems like when people are depressed, we try so hard to change our thinking patterns, but the reality is that we often don’t have much control over our thoughts. Sometimes we just have to accept that we’re having them, realize they aren’t necessarily true, and let them pass by. This video describes the other piece of the puzzle, focusing on what concrete, positive actions we can take, which in turn eventually lead to positive thoughts. So now I will drag myself out of bed and do those things that used to make me happy, hoping and trusting they eventually will again.

I have been retired going on 2 years now. At first, I loved just doing nothing, and it may have been good for a while for me to get extra rest, etc. After a while, though, I just felt like I was getting so much older before my time, that I should still have more life left in me. I have had a part time job for about a month now, and have noticed a change for the better, not so much overthinking and going down a depressive spiral. I can really relate to this video, thank you so much!

I HATE to say this, but the only time my 46 year old daughter seems like her old self is when an episode of mania is coming on. So sad. She’s such a wonderful person.