The Hidden Weapon Against Depression: Behavioral Activation Explained
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
- Depression can create a vicious cycle of inactivity, deepening the feeling of isolation and worthlessness. But there's a powerful intervention that often goes overlooked: Behavioral Activation. Dr. Tracey Marks, a seasoned psychiatrist, delves deep into this transformative approach to battling depression. Discover the intricate relationship between mood and activity, understand the science behind the benefits of staying engaged, and gain actionable insights to help reclaim your life. Whether you're struggling with depression or know someone who is, this guide offers practical steps backed by science. Don't miss out on the essential tools and techniques that can help pave the path to recovery. Plus, gain access to exclusive resources, guides, and support to further enhance your journey towards mental wellness.
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Want to know more about mental health and self-improvement? On this channel I discuss topics such as bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), relationships and personal development/self-improvement. I upload weekly. If you don’t want to miss a video, click here to subscribe. goo.gl/DFfT33
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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.
There is a TED Talk that talks about coping (and essentially harm reduction) in depression and anxiety. The speaker's name is KC Davis.
Thank you! And right back atcha! Job well done!
I agree wholeheartedly as a person with frequent bouts of depression. Brushing your teeth will become such a hard thing to do, but if your doing it more often. It’s a great indicator of you starting to get back to yourself. Get those smaller Ws in where you can.
Yes! Add on brushing your hair, especially if it’s long, n on a really good day wash your face! I promise you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. Little acts of self care can go a long way in your fight to get out of your pit of depression
I agree. She was wrong. We are told to say its a victory if i brushed my teeth, or ate something. This must be for minor depressive episodes.
I have major depression diagnosed. 5 years of trying everything.
Yes a victory is brushing teeth. Or walking the dog.
Or finally taking a shower is a huge feat.
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.
Learning something new can have a pronounced effect on your mental health as I believe it encourages new neural pathways to form within the brain. So the more you learn the more you are able to 'rewire' your brain and gradually break free of the old way of thinking that was contributing to holding you back. Just doing the washing was a major accomplishment for me. But learning a language blew out all my circuits and showed me a new way of living. I wish you well in your journey.
For me it's the opposite, no matter how many projects I finish, I feel nothing. No better at all, still as pointless and worthless. I feel it's never going to be enough, and never going to be good enough no matter what I do. Still , I keep going as standing still is worse and maybe something will come out of it anyway at least.
@@lucialuciferion6720 If standing still seems threatening then you could try meditating and doing nothing. Getting in touch with just being might be better than trying to accomplish anything. The numbness is a form of shock. So don't be hard on yourself try to be gentle. Where does that inner critic come from? Why do you let it control you? Give yourself a hug and try to be more understanding & gentle with yourself first. Its what you would say to someone else.
@@sharonjuniorchess Thank you for your kind words 🤗I will see how I can change/lessen those critical thoughts.
@@lucialuciferion6720, I feel that way ... except when I do something outside. Gophers were eating all my plants. It was either move what was left or have nothing. Luckily I already had a gardener. He's not good with plants (better with lawns), but I was able to supervise him enough to get the flowers moved to pots. All the books say sunlight will lift a depression. The problem is getting out there. "They" say just find a spot and sit awhile. Are you kidding me? I'd rather slather myself with honey and lay in an ant pile than sit in nature alone with my thoughts! So I walk around, water plants, cut grass, pull weeds, I do non-routine things (the gardener does the routine stuff) so there's no pressure. I'd rather stay in bed than be stressed about having to mow the whole property. Now, I'm starting to paint the shed. It may take me a year at this pace (I only get to work on it when I can get myself out of bed) but it will get done. I keep the to-do list small, scrape half of one board. I keep the scraper next to the back door so I don't have to look for it and on bad days I throw a long shirt over my PJs to keep dust off so I can go right back to bed when I'm done. I tell myself to scrape for 5 minutes, just 5 minutes and once I start I usually end up doing more. Do I like scraping? No. I like being in the sun, being busy and seeing the progress. I like that nobody bothers me. Keep doing things until you find something that you like. Don't give up! Sending lots of love 💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourself 😷.
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 😷.
I came to the comments to say exactly this !
Sometimes the only time I get off the couch is to use the toilet. And I think all that writing down of activities sounds like waaaay too much work if I'm so ill I'm barely even eating. I might be able to write down one word on a piece of paper, that's it.
I've definitely thought about peeing in the bed so I don't have to stand up. I would also need to write down "brushed my teeth", as that's something I avoid if I'm not going out or seeing someone
@@bUrRiEdaLiVe6 , Since I live alone, I decided that cleaning up that bed after peeing in it would be more work than getting up and crawling to the bathroom 10 feet away. Cause you can't lay in pee. It really messes up your skin. Ask any baby with diaper rash. And I'm not sure I could ask a loved one to clean it up for me. Sending lots of love💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourselves 😷.
@@bUrRiEdaLiVe6 , I can totally relate to not bushing my teeth. My biggest problem is gum disease. And right now it's a big problem. I usually tell people to plan something on the way back from the bathroom, since you are motivated to get up, might as well do something or get something whilst I'm up!... I guess I'm going to have to take my own advice, and plan to brush my teeth on the way back to the bed or sofa. For me the reward is getting back to the bed/sofa (and healthier teeth, but there never seems to be instant gratification to brushing my teeth.) I have stickers with a smiling tooth holding toothbrush that I stick on the calendar. That's fun. I just wish everyday had two stickers instead of rows of blank spaces. 😝🤫. Sending lots of love💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourself 😷.
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.
Absolutely! I got better solely from her CZcams videos ❤
Dr. Tracey your words are GOD SENT AND SCIENTIFICALLY POWERFUL AND LIFE CHANGING AND MAY I ALSO SAY SPIRITUAL BECAUSE GOD IS ALSO IN SCIENCE AND SOUND HEALTH. YOU ARE A LOVELY PERSON WHO REALLY CARES AND YOUR GIFT IS JOYFUL BECAUSE IT REALLY WORKS. AMEN
She makes so much sense and explains things so clearly and specifically.
I'm with you on that. Take care.
❤
Last week, I started writing on a white board what I DID that day, not a to-do list. I feel accomplishment!
That's genius and I love it
Great tactic! I do this too, journaling.
This is such a good idea! I never take time to focus on what I actually did that day vs what I didnt have time. It always leaves me feeling annoyed and stressed, because I dont focus on all the things I did accomplish…. Dang, ill try this today in the evening, thanks!! 🧡
I’ll try that from now on. Thank you so much ❤❤❤❤
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.
Grooming is definitely difficult for me.
Or doing laundry, cleaning your room. That was my nemesis.
Just breathing is a hard job.
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...
It’s not your fault I promise. I know it hurts more than anything else to want to help someone who’s in something so deep and seeing it’s not working. But you did all you could. I promise it’s not your fault.
So sorry you went through that. We can try to help others, but ultimately we are only responsible for ourselves because that's what we can control.
I'm so sorry for the pain and doubt you feel. I hope you find peace and relief from any guilt or shame. Lay those burdens down, they're not yours to carry.
I’m so sorry, I can’t imagine the grief. But then again. 🤍
I’m sorry love ❤
I'm so sorry for loss. ❤️
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.
Thanks for sharing this. I'm kind of at this stage now. I need to get out and meet people but being shy and depressed doesn't help with motivation. I've joined a few groups and am looking forward to volunteering at a few things soon.
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.
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.
Agree
You are 100% correct. Being in a negative environment is like trying to fit the wrong key inside of a keyhole. It won't fit. Change your environment. Change your life. Thanks for that comment. That's so important.
@@missy567ful I think that you and @WellBeing999 are absolutely right, but on the other hand it seems to me that the negative environment can sometimes get kind of "internalized" (I don't know how to explainit better, I hope you can understand what I mean) and even if you change the environment around, you are always inside your mind. It's true for me: I moved country twice, changed many jobs, met many people, now I am back to my homeland, but I still feel like I am trapped within myself and I can't get out.
Yes if you learn to distract yourself with something ridiculous comedy it can help...
I use my suffering though to create art.. all the best art in the world, literature, poetry, paintings came from enormous suffering... in fact now that I am having a gallery show, I wouldn't want my life to be any different. You can turn depression into powerful work.. it takes time.
I understand you. I've been throught that when I was 19 years old @@purplestringsmariamichelac3391
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.
That's really interesting! I have never been told this but it's something that if I let myself focus on too long, will make me negatively spiral. After over a decade of trying to soak up every tool and bit of information, I'm still not in a healthy place. My brain takes that evidence and says ‘Well no matter what I do or how hard I try I can't save myself’. So for me it's more helpful to think the opposite- 'But it’s ok because someone (a professional) CAN. So don't lose hope’. So I just try to remember that and that these things aren't fixable but they ARE manageable, maybe by yourself or maybe with some outside help. It's genuinely so interesting to me to read/hear about what works for different people. I'm glad you found something that helps you!
Thank you for sharing this. You have no idea how this was helpful for me to see this written. Thank you
I forced myself to just walk round my local park. The gentle exercise coupled with being outside & seeing & feeling life going on often help to 'shift' my mood to try and do something (however minor it may have seemed) it was an obstacle to try and overcome (like tidying up). Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Don't worry about your failures celebrate your small daily achievements.
❤
I like that, 30 second IS meaningful, just starting was quite an accomplishment
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
Although therapists help you with your mind, they are still humans, who cannot scan you and read your thoughts.
If you feel like you need an advice instead of just person listening to you, you can ask for it directly. "Please give me an exact instructions of what I can do to solve the problem. Simply talking does not work for me". Most of therapists will do that if you ask them explicitly
I hear you. The only time I got this type of truly helpful guidance with explanations and actionable directives is when I had a psychologist or a psychiatrist instead of a licensed therapist.
Maybe cognitive therapist could be good for you.
I have asked therapist to give me suggestions what to do and ask feedback. And they do that. Also if you search different kinds of therapists. I think cognitive therapist could be great for you. I think it depends a lot what's their field in therapy. Try another one. 😊
When you're hungry you'll eat whatever is available. Then you realize the food you're eating isn't that tasty and is kind of gross, choose another restaurant. Not every restaurant can offer what suits your palette.
When you aren't so desperate for help, search for a therapist that suits your needs.
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.
Well said!!!!
You have a good mindset.
Usually going out, doing things also gives you better feeling.
Even writing things down is too exhausting.
I use voice dictation
Thank you for writing this because it's true for me, can't write and my head is in a fog so I do breathing exercises to ground myself
@@Nyx773the sound of my own voice tho. Oof.
@@zhenren9703 try a British accent lol
@@zhenren9703you don't need to record, just voice to text
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.
Good for you for finding things that make you smile. Also for being able to make these lists. I find her methods rather overwhelming sounding. It looks like it helps some people, but for many w/ deeper depression, its a big bunch of extras, when we already are really struggling for the motivation just do bare essentials, like tooth brushing and showers. Making a complicated list of extra activities, then rating them for how we feel about each activity can be too much extra for many.
@@saintejeannedarc9460: Thank you for understanding what this Dr. does not!
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.
Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. If I had enough energy to track all kinds of activities in a workbook, I don't think I would be depressed. Anyway, try little things. If you feel you can't get out of bed, try sitting up and opening your eyes. I find sometimes even that is something. Then build on it bit by bit. Having a shower can be an accomplishment some days.
I can really relate to that. I couldn't even track half of what she was saying, let alone set out to it. I've got a house to clean, bills to pay, a shower to take (finally did that one, forgot to put on skin cream, so am itchy), and other hurdles. If I could get to this list, it would mostly just haunt me, for not getting back to it, and I know in my current state, it's going to take precious motivation for essentials away. Sometimes you have to meet people where they are at, and this list thing is for people w/ less severe depression. I'll try and think of a modified type thing that might help on a better day.
So then, figure that out, bro! Take care! Do one activity or multiple little activities that you tell yourself "I am glad I got that problem over with"...
From my experience, there usually are "windows" when I feel slightly less depressed and have just enough capacity to plan these new activities. And maybe even try them. Then continuing on a depressive day is going to be easier because you're not at the blank page anymore
I am doing all activities I need to do like cook clean iron clothes
I hate going out but by the end of the day I just want to go to bed forget about today .
The next day it all starts again the cooking cleaning I hate a dirty house so Cleaning is a must .
How long can anyone carry on like this with no pleasure in your life.
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 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.
People have very different ways of being depressed. It's a motivation killer for me. I do fight my thoughts, but the bigger fight is to get things done. Just very simple things people take for granted, I have to push for, because I'm just existing. A year and a half and counting for this one. Never had one this long, so I'm really fighting hopelessness on this one.
Me too.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 I will say a prayer for you
Maybe they will or maybe try new things. For me helping others was really helpful. Like volunteer at a food bank or to help others in some way. Sign up to cook and serve at a soup kitchen, that's really good too.
❤❤❤
This is waaaaaaay too much work for this depressed recluse. Completely overwhelming and anxiety producing.
Have you tried diamond painting? Creative hobby that requires no skill and little effort. It gave me a reason to want to wake up in the morning, and it gives me the motivation to do things that need to be done like cleaning. I just do a little bit each day and I’m actually making progress but by bit
I hate to say it but eventually the discomfort of the depression will get you to move in SOME direction and out of it. (If the people around you are negative and reinforcing your sadness try and limit your contact with them.)
Be gentle with yourself in the meantime.
I hear you. It's a lot. Maybe commit to writing down just one thing a day, starting with grooming. When my depression is in full swing, even showering seems like a mountain of a task. Committing to that might help. Once it's a habit, then you can add one activity.
Baby steps are still steps. ❤
Just pick one thing to do a day that you aren't doing.
This would be way too much for me as well.
Dr. Marks, your straight-faced, straight-forward demeanor is somehow very helpful to me. Thank you for the videos.
I'm a single mom and living with a tendency towards depression. For me it's helpful to make a orientation list what I wish to do the next day before going to bed. Including things like Snuggling with my kid, Cooking, eating, doing the laundry with the steps, washing, hanging up and putting the dried clothes in the drawer.
Washing hair as my hair needs to be washed all three days. Not daily. That's kind of hard to remember sometimes. 😵
Doing the dishes and listening to upbeat music or a podcast alongside.
Beauty and friendlyness are things i value and having strategies to care for those on my list and marking the steps as achieved when done helps me to feel better and seeing what I do helps me not loosing the bigger picture. Marking the done ✔️ tasks on the list gives me the sense of achievement and meaning I need to come through the phase well enough cared for. Plus when fallen of the horse and my brain goes Blanc / frozen
I can reconnect with life and reorient via the list. I see what's important I marked those (times to get my son from school or to an appointment, or a doctor's appointment for myself or an important phone call, or laundry if we run out of clean clothes. I chose only one or two each day as non negotiable important) and with that plan i can forgivingly slide back into the day. See the time reorient and pick what I can get done.
Knowing what's bringing me into a funk helps. It's not showering in the evening. Staying up to long on my phone. (Like now ☺️ in thirty minutes is bedtime) Shifting showering in the next morning (not today)
I need some anchoring habits in the day like how I get up and how I wind down. And a break in the day and meal times, enough water, and movement outside (air, daylight). At least a walk in nature. During winter I put the bright lights on in the morning to wake me up. I guess I'm using some science to be and stay ok. It's so helpful when drowning isn't an option. I love my kid 👩👦
I am happy to read this. It makes life seem beautiful and cosy like a studio ghibli film as opposed to dark and sad. Thank you and yes I will be using your tips to get me through the hard days! ❤❤❤
@@priskruger314 I'm glad my comment contains helpful informations. Please Cherrypick. It's a lot to build up and I needed a few years to figure out what's really mattering for me, to write it down in easy steps that I can follow when crumbling appart.
This is one of the sweetest most practical and fun coping strategies for depression I’ve read in a comment section. Having beauty and snuggling with your kid on your to do list sounds downright inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing! I’m gonna do this! I’ll include things like admiring the sky and listening to my favorite songs while sketching or dancing. It sounds so good ❤
All the best to you and your child ❤ great strategies and priorities, it can take a long time to figure out a working routine
This is why I try to do at least _a little,_ and acknowledge that I at least did _something._ In fact, because I suck at self care, I _do_ count brushing teeth and keeping track of how many healthy meals I had. Don’t devalue things that are hard for you simply because "they're necessary for your survival." I think if it's something you struggle with, you can count it. In this method, if you genuinely struggle with going to the bathroom, you should be allowed to count it.
I have a friend who has contamination and semsory issues and thus struggles with eating different foods and going to a bathroom when it doesn't feel clean enough or offers no way to sanitize afterwards. What seems like a simple and zero thoughts action to us takes more effort for them. Now, some might argue that the act of eating or going to the bathroom on its own doesn’t count and instead it's "eating something different" or "pushing through contamination anxiety" but people can word things however they want. Celebrate your small actions an victories.
What helps me with my depression is using my hands, making art, cleaning, staying busy so my mind doesn't have time to wander.
Yes, making something helps me too.
A friend told me the three m's to attempt when depressed:
Move
Make
Meet
I'm definitely not able to do all three of them per day if I'm in the depth of depression, but it really helps me to come up with stuff to do.
@@Nino-xp5df those are good ones. Thanks for sharing.
For me, the most difficult part of engaging in things to help myself, is actually doing them. This channel and your work is very valuble to me and helpful to know what I can do instead of just being lost. However, getting started is so hard. I will do a little at a time and get going.
Me too.😪
Dont beat yourself up over all the things that you can't or don't do. Just celebrate the small achievements. Knowing that you managed to achieve a small step will help you to try and take another step.
For me it's walking, I kinda got into a habit now where I walk outside for 10 min. It's always the same path but helps me a lot
Getting a dog really helped me with getting outside daily. That furball relied on me to walk her multiple times a day. It was good for both of us. Plus neighbours would stop to talk to me and my dog.
Same, it's like I know which activities make me feel better but I can't get myself to do them.
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.
Thank you Dr. Marks! I pet sit and I've had a dog walking assignment all week. I discovered a lovely wooded walking path and a little creek, it's made such a beautiful and peaceful experience. I've come home with my nervous system completely calm. 😊😊
Nature gives ... so much.
Brushing my teeth is hard for me. Laundry is very hard.
Keep the ball rolling, I’m cheering for your success:)
Its all hard but it get done
You have achieved something.
I suffered depression,anxiety and mental disorder for over 24 years. It's just amazing how psilocybin mushrooms treatment actually saved my life. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms
Microdosing helped me get out of the pit of my worst depressive episode, a three year long episode, enough to start working on my mental health.
Yes I'm very sure of Dr.benshrooms
My first experience with shrooms cleared
my mind and I started seeing the world on a
whole new level
Can I find him on insta? How do I reach out 🙏
Yes he's Dr.benshrooms.Lsd and psilocybin are amazing teachers along its dmt mah dudes have safe trips all. Shrooms are blessings from nature.
When I’ve had dark episodes in the past I would make a list of 2 or 3 simple things that didn’t require a lot of thought but that meant getting up and moving around a little bit and instilled even some small degree of order (e.g. empty the trash can, vacuum a room, etc.). The key for me was determining to do those few simple tasks no matter how I felt. They wouldn’t take much time so that would help me start doing them because even it if felt terrible it would only take a few minutes. 👍🏻
The problem is that anhedonia removes any feelings of reward from said activities.
Numb.
@markcartwright6480 I suppose it could avoid further pain. When there is no positive reinforcement, any action can only be driven by fear and/or negative reinforcement. Bad feelings basically.
I get periods of anhedonia immediately after the suicidal thinking diminishes in a MDD. This time round I had 3 or 4 specific tasks I made mandatory even when I got no feedback from it. It took about 2 months to recover but that was a lot better than usual which is usually 6 months
Anhedonia can be very difficult to cope with. Personally, I understand that my mental state is not reflective of me so I go ahead and just do shit anyway. Sometimes, it’ll even help pull me out of that rut
My motto is not that I'm doing something because it makes me feel better, but more because if I don't do something I will feel worse.
Homegirl really said "just do it anyway even if your depressed"
Sometimes you just have to.
Dr. Marks, I would love to watch an educational/awareness post by you with tips on how to “keep marching forward” while dealing with mental health and PTSD in the military. Many of us suffer but want to continue serving our country.
Salute! My observation-as a general rule,support for active military is bare to minimal,asking for help hurts their career. Sites like this helps but there needs to be more available for those trying to wrestle with PTSD,military or not. Good luck
I find activity trackers helpful when I'm feeling down because I tend to discount a lot of what I do, but when I look at that list at the end of the day, I'm actually surprised at how productive I was. It really helps a lot.
This video is quite timely for me. I realized last week that the depressive loop was ruining my relationships. Now I have a lantern in the darkness.
So true! You’ve got to "fake it to make it." You have to go through the motions & keep powering through the activities of life even though you’re not feeling any happiness. Eventually you will. Especially true for artists/creatives. Gotta "show up" at your creative space & do any kind of work that you can to be productive. Prep your supplies, reorganize your materials, sharpen your pencils, practice your brush-strokes, whatever… do the mundane, non-creative chores that will benefit your artistry/creativity when it’s ready to bloom. One day you’ll be doing one of these mundane things and you will realize you’re absolutely itching to make your art!!!
My car broke down & I .believed it could and I got very down & felt trapped ,also being alone in the woods ete.for awhile .set out to hitch rides from passing motorist to get food ,gas ete.i begin to really enjoy meeting and getting to know lots of different people..I started feeling better ,more energized ,and not so lonely,it helped restore my faith in God ,myself ,and humanity......
i appreciate all the work that you do! i’m having the worst time showering the past 4 months. my depression isn’t terrible i’m taking my meds and i go to the gym. it’s just such a chore to me to shower 😮💨😣
My concept was the spiral - I could spiral deeper into bleakness or spiral into something more positive. I worked on finding something positive in everyone and everything I saw. It helped a lot. But depression sneaks in and has to be constantly pushed against.
I try to find something beautiful outside. It makes me excited about going out. I go out late at night so I don’t have to see anyone.
This video came at a perfect time, I've been caught in a depressive loop the last month or so.
Just taking it moment to moment, It's so hard to keep in mind that the little things do help in the end.
I've been depressed for a long time, and I managed to recover from extreme low mood with psychedelics, but I still feel like everything is the same. I exercise, I engage with uni, I talk to my friends, I do volunteer work, but nothing feels like anything. I'm extremely anhedonic and still feel like life is more of a hassle than it is worth. So when will my brain fix itself? Why is it so resistant? I literally feel no different watching Netflix, reading a book or staring at a wall. It does make me want to give up fighting.
You are able to manage much more than I can. It sounds like if you're able to be this active and still anhedonic, you may have to resort to an anti depressant. Or least a natural one like Saint John's Wort, or 5 HTP.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 I've tried to take some Syrian Rue which helps but I am scared to take it everyday because it's an MAOI. I thought about 5htp, need to read about st Johns wart.
Also, I really hope you recover soon. I know it feels impossible and tiring but whatever you can manage is important. I hope you find improvement and get the support you need.
I'm sure this kind of regimen helps with depression when you apply it - after I started therapy improving my daily routine in terms of structure and adding daily exercise helped me a lot. What still feels completely unrealistic to me, however, is that a depressed, disconnected person would be able to make the mental jump of actually starting with something like this on their own.
Something to add- I told my counselor once that I'd finished a craft project and it was the very first time I had finished ANY THING. They disagreed but they were missing the point, I was in a state of wonder that I could persist and just.... accomplish something. Therapists seem to think that if your mood resolves, you'll sail through life but I had so few basic skills, it took me a long time to mature in my 30's when I had been acting like a child for decades, no parenting. Learning to be more capable from accomplishments can be a short cut to success in life- go DO stuff, learn to do a 5km run, or a certain game outdoors, persist, it will reward you in MANY ways, more than just the task!!!
Ohh that sounds great! Congratulations!!
I somewhat disagree with you on not including brushing your teeth as an activity. I get what you are saying that you don’t want to bog yourself down with just grooming tasks but rather BUT as others here have mentioned, sometimes brushing your teeth is a difficult task to complete when you have depression. Brushing your teeth is a small thing that makes you feel better because you feel cleaner and a little less gross. Plus, if you don’t regularly brush your teeth, it has very severe, painful, and expensive consequences! That’s why I believe IF you struggle with brushing your teeth, it should be a top priority.
Thank you for mentioning this! Hygiene problems that come with depression are embarrassing, but they are a reality for many people, including me. And now I'm going to finally go and brush my teeth at 2 p.m.😅
I understand your view and I am not argueing with it, but Even after loosing back teeth and my stomach acid from anxiety and depression is so high, it just erodes holes in my teeth whether I brush or not, my anxiety worse from being depressed, i get severe ulcers and acid while sleeping that destroy your teeth, ive had 6 crowns and 7 fillings from stomach acid since this started 5 years ago.
Yes its expensive. I am getting implants, to eat again. Another horrible side effect is low oxygen. If you have anxiety with depression, order an oxygen reader for your finger, it led me to the pulmonologist, a fancy low oxgyen dr. With more tests than asthma drs. He said high acid goes into your lungs while your sleeping lowering your oxygen making me more tired more depressed.
I have to sleep on a wedge pillow to keep my oxygen above 95. And take 2 different prescription antacids. Everything compounds on itself. What i am saying nicely is its not always that simple, and everyone has to keep asking questions get 3rd 4tg 5th dr. Opinions.
It is amazing how many things can happen from stress on the body, that includes gad, and major depression
Dr didn’t say to NOT list brushing teeth. She just suggested that once you are more able to continue that activity, you COULD continue on by including all grooming as one activity.
Can I just say I appreciate your videos. I didn’t even know I’ve been doing this. I got into rockhounding in recent years after a decade struggle with substance abuse/ severe social anxiety/ and previously debilitating levels of overall mental exhaustion doing regular things. Since I’ve been doing something as simple as collecting/ identifying/ and decorating my rock display it’s like everything else has been falling into place too. Sober 3 years. Anxiety levels down. It’s all so weird. I do have to do stretches and exercise a few days a week for… optimum functioning.
Thank you for not just saying you need to exercise and eat healthy like every other video on anxiety and depression says. Even when you don't have the weight of depression over your life you don't want to exercise so it is useless to tell someone to do that because it feels Impossible. Great video.
I love your shorts. But your long form videos just give me so much. You explain things so well. I truly appreciate you as a resource. Thank you, Dr. Tracey. ❤️
I have chronic pain and it’s difficult to walk , clean or exercise. But I find having a routine helpful. After work I eat and clean the kitchen. Tuesday get trash ready. Every Friday clean my work desk. They are not big things but they do help me to get that sense of satisfaction every day.
even in the depths of despair, there's the potential for change and growth. Countless people have been where you are now and have made it through, often emerging stronger for having navigated those difficult waters. It may not seem like it now, but this phase of your life doesn't define you; it's a chapter, not the entire book. You have the capacity for resilience, and it's never too late to seek help and make the first step toward a brighter future. Remember, it's okay to ask for support; you don't have to go through this alone.
You released this episode at the right time. Just when i needed reassurance that my body needs rest, but not bed-locking.
It helps a lot to have friends that will give you a push when you need it.
Connecting with people for mental health wellness comes rarely since everyone has work, relationships or excuses which causes me to watch movies, concerts, go to festivals, theme parks, etc. by myself or my mom who can go but complains a lot since she can’t walk for too long. Thank you for the helpful video.
I remember about a statement you said in one of your videos which strikes in my mind i.e “Any kind of movement is an improvement”.In between genuise says that you should be early to get a heart from Tracey, Early bird gets the worm❤.
Thank you -- wish I could find a therapist like you, instead of the bored, sleepy and useless ones I have had.
This is what I often try to get across to people who ask me. Sometimes it's really as simple as try making a new meal every other night to get the ball rolling.
I really like this video. It would be helpful to describe how to do this when you have ADHD and depression. The steps sound like a good idea but also seem overwhelming.
@JuliaJones5948
Yes!, sometimes there's NO motivation. I wouldn't say I'm depressed so much ad overwhelmed.
I been walking in the morning lately because I been feeling depressed and overwhelmed by life. It has been helping me.
Nothing is helping me
Thank you for being there for all of us. I needed this to help me power through some post graduate school depression. Found out i had a low Vitamin D level, and am addressing the problem now and becoming more active.
Magnesium is also another good supplement I have been on it for 3 yrs.
I've been dealing with depression for weeks now, seems like since the end of July. I tried going to a dance that I didn't want to go to, but ended up being pretty fun. I've been wanting to stay in bed till noon.
BA hasn't worked for me so far. I'm too apathetic to care about my values, too suicidal to desire a future, and too anhedonic to feel much of anything when I *am* able to complete an activity like brushing my teeth.
Same.
@@LDiamondz Well considering a few people liked my comment at least we're not alone in that
@@saltiestsiren I guess not. I just can't figure out if that's a good thing or a bad thing? 🤣
@@saltiestsirenI feel the same way
After dragging myself around doing things l didn’t want to do for months on end l quit. It didn’t work….at all. As a matter of fact l developed a distaste for doing the things l used to love to do. I never had a problem with brushing my teeth or the most basic things, laundry, dishes, that stuff l just did because l didn’t want my kids to cart me off to the funny farm.
No, it was the forcing myself to go out in the yard to listen to the breeze in the trees, creating music, singing, journaling, going to see a friend, church, anything l had always loved l began to dread even trying to get through it. None of it helped or made me better. Finally l just gave in and did nothing at all of any consequence for months. I watched old movies, organized my sewing box, put hems in pants. Nothing big. Nothing stressful. Nothing challenging. My doc started me on a low dose AntiDep and slowly lve been crawling out. Still have setbacks but after almost 4 yrs, l am somewhat better tho I still feel very hollow a lot of the time. People don’t listen to grieving ppl and people want to fix you by pushing you to do stuff. That’s not always good. Grieving is a process and everyone is different. You have to do what is right for yourself, not what others tell you to do.
Behavioral activation helps me way more than plain CBT. It always felt like whatever i learned through cbt my anxiety also learned to combat my positive thoughts lmao
Dr. Marks -.Im so glad I found you. I had to just admit myself in June because of depression, suicidal ideation. Your videos help me so much. The video I just watched on "Time" was so helpful. Thank You God for Dr. Marks.
For me I think recording going to the bathroom and brushing my teeth would be helpful. Edit grooming for some can be listed as individual activities. I don’t always have the energy to do do “grooming” bit I might have the energy to brush my teeth one day and wash my armpits another day.
You had me at "Here's how you do it," and then providing actuable steps and real tools with context... Subscribed. Thank you so much for this. Working on gathering my materials now. ❤❤❤
For me, the only thing that takes away my anxiety while depression is worse, is gardening. Taking care of plants, woking with the hands in the soil, planting seeds etc makes me feel like a child again. Plants teach me so much about life, and each one of them has different needs to express its full potential: the right soil, the right place, the right sun exposure, the right pot, the right supplements, the right medication, the right plants surrounding them. And if they 'feel' they are not able to express their full potential they start to flower or making clones of theirselves in order to make seeds or pups with the hope the wind can carry their genes in another place better than the place the 'mother plant' is. That's so amazing and intelligent!!!
This is such a beautiful post and I really wish I was the same, with green fingers and all the sources of renewal that I know gardening can give. But the reality is: my job is overwhelming and exhausting so I can’t get in the garden often enough, so it looks like a wasteland. And all the things you say about plants, all that knowledge … it’s overwhelming. I can just about remember to water a plant every now and then. All my house plants die within six months. 😢
I'm in a depressive episode right now..I'm here right now. So dilapitating and isolating. I'm getting married next year and I feel this depression is tainting just how much joy I should be feeling about this.
Dr. Marks, you've helped me so much over the years. Thank you for doing this CZcams channel.
This is good advice but feasible only for people who are only slightly depressed. Think that you are really depressed and you not only have to brush your teeth but also write it down.... That would be too overwhelming
At the height of my depression I felt it had full control of me. The only thing I had control of was going on long road rides alone, knowing that even depression couldn’t steal that from me. When I went out the next time my fitness had improved. I had control of this and used it to pull myself up. This video is so on point.
Yes it really is an endless loop. When I was depressed I didn't want to do anything, then I'd feel even more depressed, beating myself up for being "lazy". Now I know it's not laziness and I'm able to be more active being in therapy for a few years and making changes to my life.
These videos offer THE BEST info, since grad school. Bless you, Dr. Marks. You’re saving lives.
Every little thing you do matters when you are depressed because even the smallest tasks, like using the bathroom and brushing one's teeth, can take an enormous amount of energy. Hang in there, fight the good fight, and know that you are precious, special and deeply loved!
Behavioral activation is a tool I bring up with all my clients suffering from depression and bipolar disorder. It's been so essential to getting them to understand how much that activity can impact their thoughts and mood, and that even though their body feels like it weighs thousands of pounds, they can still go for a walk or take a shower. Great video as always!
Thank you Dr. Marks. Your generosity is so appreciated. ❤
Yes, I’ve Thrown my hands up to insomnia by scrolling social media. The video was Subtle enough but not, lol!! Thanks for the information Dr. Marks. 🙂 Not feeling “depressed” but I’ll be more sensitive to mood changes as the seasons change. Some of your suggestions will perhaps help plan to get ahead of the fall and winter. Ty again!
I appreciate your channel more than words can say.
I went into a mental health facility hoping that I could learn about my issues. Her book and the book how to help your lost inner child. I got much more from them, 2 hrs a day than I did in the program 46 hours a week
I took one of those personalities tests. It showed that I am very sensitive to situations. Just recently, I had a major episode of depression that is just now starting to ease up. It's taken weeks. It's been a battle. I FORCED myself to go to a museum, visit family, go to the movies & exercise. I feel better but it takes time & a good therapist.
I went to an AMAZING music festival in the Coachella Valley over the weekend, with my 2 brothers, my nephew, and one our oldest friends. It was a struggle for me in the 110 degree heat to walk the mile or so it took to reach our seats, herded like human cattle from the parking lot on each of the 3 days of the show. I have a long history of panic attacks, but this was a once in a lifetime event and I would be damned if I was going to fall apart! I felt the fear and did it anyway - just like the book says. We made friends with locals and distant travellers, and pretty young women who thought we were the bomb... and ten years that weighed 100 lbs each slipped from my shoulders. I was me again. For three days in the desert, I remembered what it felt like to be ALIVE. In the climactic crescendo of the entire event - when AC/DC played an extended version of "Let There Be Rock", and Angus Young and his eldest brother, George, broke into the Chuck Berry-esque boogie in the middle eight, I literally wept with joy. Where had I been for the past decade? It didn't matter. The moment filled me up and reminded me who I was - who I AM! Things were going to be different from now on. From the moment I got home, I would spend more time outwardly DOING instead of inwardly shrinking. Rock n Roll is gonna save my soul - ONE MORE TIME! What an epiphany!
Then I drove home, and... it was time to pay the piper. There were no masks, 100,000 screaming fans in the middle of the desert for 3 days. Full-blown mutant Covid. This is the first real moment of lucidity I've had since arriving home early Monday morning. I've been unable to get out of bed, and I've never been sicker than I was up until this afternoon (and still very touch and go). In my depressed state, I didn't bother with booster shots because I didn't really care if I lived or died. I'm not sure what to do with that. Talk about a momentum killer! 🤦♂
When you are depressed enough that you aren’t able to do necessary things, tracking your activities is a BIG ask! I wish there were depression doulas - people who could come walk you through the small day to day things that have to happen. If they could also help keep your life orderly, it would help a person to move out of the deepest depression. Also - this video implied that you don’t enjoy things because you don’t do them. For me, I didn’t enjoy things I loved because it actively hurt to do things. Things changed. Music sounded out of tune or just irritated me. I couldn’t sit through a movie or a play. I once actually sat down and cried because the feeling of being out on a walk felt so horrible. Pushing myself to do things in those situations was worse than just not doing them. Also, I was so aware of what I wasn’t doing that doing the little I could do just emphasized my failure. Doing a little felt worse than doing nothing. I agree that as you are healing, or as you are just descending, pushing yourself and celebrating what you do is wonderful and helpful, but in the deep parts of depression I don’t think it helps at all.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been very aware of my depression but I wasn’t finding anything to really help me. I feel this is the right step for me.
Just when I thought your videos couldn't get any better, they got 5x better.
Not just theory and tips, but action plans and tools. Simply amazing.
Thank you for caring and trying to make a difference. This really helps me a lot.
you are very good doctor and a decent person for doing your videos for people, well done, regards from northern ireland
You have THE best videos on youtube….any category. Thank you ❤❤❤❤
Peace and love. You're saving me right now
Another gem by the great Tracy Marks.
Thank you, Dr. Marks.
Perfect timing to come into my feed. Thank you for all your info.
Thank you Dr. Tracey.
Wow, what a brilliant video, and real steps and solutions to this crippling condition. Thank you Dr.
Fantastic blend of the intro. You have come so far, I am immensely proud of you. Keep going!
I’m so lost and overwhelmed, 🙈😵💫😞
Thank you Dr. Marks, I appreciated your videos very, very much. Excellent jobs.
Dr. Marks, this sounds like it could be very helpful for me -- as if you know precisely what I need at this time. Thank you!
Great job Dr. TRACY MARKS.!!!
Dr Marks, I find your videos a cut above most others of their kind. . You address the topics with such conciseness and clarity. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all that you do. You are amazing.
This is me right now. Thank you for this because this spiral is a struggle. I find myself missing who I used to be and the way I used to see my life. I wonder if I will ever see my life the way I once did again.