How I overcame depression by just sitting around | Jonathan Schoenmaker | TEDxDelft

[makmak]

“I didn’t want to die, I just didn’t want to live”
that is EXACTLY how I felt in my worst days oh my god

[nathansalty]

Would be cool to have those "close friends."
Update: It's about a year later after posting this comment, and I would like to say it gets better. Hang in there y'all, it may be dark right now but there's always a way out. Be safe and healthy :)

[notbanksy]

The hardest part of depression, for me, is getting out of my own head. The longer I stay there, the more ground depression gains. I have to force myself to leave the house most times. And before that, there is a 5-10min period of standing at the door before I exit. Battling the thoughts of not wanting to go outside into the world.

[MrCrowebobby]

When I was 15, I told my mother I thought about suicide. She said "Well, be sure to do it right, otherwise you linger." Followed by "People who talk about suicide never do it." That was 66 years ago and I'm still here so perhaps she was right in my case, but I've suffered from depression for my entire 81 years on earth, despite much medical help; perhaps just an iota of sympathy and/or understanding might have helped a bit.

[XemidanHNoxja]

This seems great if you have friends, but what happens when your alone and trying to overcome and don't have a soul to even be around

[ShylieKay]

Nobody wants to be around a depressed person, happy people like happy people. Once you pull someone out of the hole they've fallen in it's so much easier for them to keep their head above water. It's the inertia that's missing when you're isolated. Sometimes all I need is a hug.

[rabbitss]

Unfortunately when you get much older 'close friends' and the rest just melt away and that's when you really have a battle on your hands

[Dantallica]

because we all know depressives have tons of friends to hang out with

[kalleyluv]

doesn't work if you are depressed and also have social anxiety

[FlameJackstar]

These "fake it till you make it" people, you're bound to encounter when depressed, are the worst. They have *no* clue.

[Aiden]

Appreciate the ideas but when I'm depressed I avoid friends. It makes me feel worse seeing them all happy and together while I'm struggling. I do talk to them a bit, but I find hobbies, keeping busy, exercise and finding a purpose to get up in the morning are more important steps to take.

[RishiRaj-ordh]

He really deeply understood depression and gave most accurate and effective way to treat depression.

[nachiketjadhav]

“I didn’t wanted to die, I just didn’t wanted to live”
depression was never contained in a single phrase better than this one !
Thank you sir.

[beyondher]

When I told my mother I had depression at age 16 she said to me "can't you save those kind of feelings for when something really big happens, like when someone has cancer". This is a lingering memory of maternal betrayal for me and I've told this story now to so many friends, and everyone is horrified by my mother's words. It's so true that some people don't know how to respond to other peoples depression, and they better keep their mouths shut in that case. Also, I find it's often the older generations that don't know how to show empathy for other people's suffering. My generation, millennials, are much more open to sharing and talking about mental health issues.

[janetdipaola]

I just want to say that I had a very similar experience and noticed the same thing. One day my husband came home from work and I had been feeling very depressed for a long time. I had been dealing with my parents all day long asking why I was depressed and telling me to snap out of it etc. Then he came in the room, could obviously tell I was in bad shape and just sat with me and watched a funny sitcom. No questions, no explanations needed, just his company and a funny show. I'll never forget it. Was just what I needed.

[timechai]

There should be a network for all of us people who isolate ourselves but are experiencing these same challenges. Imagine if we could just all sit together and give each other company. I feel so alone and depressed, but I know I’m not the only one.

[philive]

To me this sounds like acceptance; You didn't need anyone to say anything or do anything other than to witness and be alright with your grief. They just needed to care and to be there. I'm glad it worked for you 😃

[SRNF]

Severe clinical depression needs way more then this. His method would be useful for those with mild symptoms but its quite a leap to presume effectiveness in all cases. For instance some are so severely affected that people no longer wish to be around them. The guy who was known for being a laughing goon and joker becomes emotionally flat and numb....people fade away from such figures whether it be conscious or otherwise.

[patriciafisher]

I have had depression episodes many, many times in my life. I can tell you to listen to this guy. We just need someone or several someones just to be with us. We do not need useless advice, just friends that are happy just to hang out with us. Make the move toward the depressed person, because that person is incapable at that time to reach out. Too much alone time is not good, even for introverts.

[eeven]

Storybook solution for someone, who by the looks of it, has mild depression and a large social network. Doesn't work if you are socially isolated and too depressed to even listen to music.