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How do you deal with depression after a breakup?

309 Answers
Last Updated: 08/24/2020 at 12:07pm
How do you deal with depression after a breakup?
★ This question about Depression was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Lisa Groesz, PhD

Psychologist

With evidenced based therapies, we find the root of the problem together to implement solutions. We all face crises, transitions, or disorders at some time.

Top Rated Answers
Greatlistener87
December 19th, 2015 5:51am
It is always good to deal with the cause of the depression to deal with the depression and in this case its the breakup. Breakup's involves a lot of emotions and it takes time to deal with this emotions and to accept where you are now. Always remember there is always a reason for the breakup and whatever it was its a good reason enough for you to move forward in life.
LeahListens
December 19th, 2015 6:05am
Breakups can be hard. I personally went through a very difficult one myself. The best way to handle it is allowing yourself to grieve for a little while. For some this may be a day, for others it could be up to a week. However, once you have allowed yourself to grieve, you need to jump back into life. Hang out with people you enjoy doing things with or spend time on a hobby of yours. Anything to distract your mind for the breakup. Eventually, it will get easier. Yes, thoughts will still come up and it's okay. But I promise you will make it through, I know it's hard to believe in the moment and I was able to make it through despite what I may have thought
Amaris77
December 23rd, 2015 11:53am
I'll find someone who will help me realize that Life is beautiful&that I should enjoy every minute!!
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2015 5:11pm
I write things down,rip the pieces of paper up and throw it in a bin or burn it. I sone times also talk to people to release my feelings. Distracting yourself with things you enjoy can also help.
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2015 11:36pm
I personally had a really rough breakup with a person whom I thought was my soulmate. We were thick as thieves. And it all stopped without warning. No news, no seeing each other. What I found was the most helpful to me was to immerse myself in other things: TV Shows, studies, sport... Anything that requires your full attention, and makes you feel again.
JayIvory5711
December 24th, 2015 3:47pm
Breakups are hard to the best way to look at any situation is that everything happens for a reason. That person was not meant to be with you either at all or at that moment. Life is hard and it's a mystery, but that's the beauty of it. It's going to hurt and take time to heal from a breakup and that's normal. Take the time to deal with the grief, but then remember that if he or she is meant to be in your life than it will happen. Until then, take all the lessons learned from that relationship and apply them to future relationships.
siribear20
December 24th, 2015 4:12pm
you always get lonely after a breakup. i think its being human. but sooner or later we need to focus on ourselves and the things that are good for us. we need to keep ourselves busy and challenge ourselves with new things or go on an adventure. take our mind off the breakup.
miraculousRecipe28
December 25th, 2015 5:06am
vent out your depression by crying, later go for a long sleep. once you wake up re-arrange your room, wash all your clothes, clean your dishes have a bath. Doesn't everything look different now??
FromBrazil
December 27th, 2015 5:47am
I don't. It takes time to recover from the mourning after a breakup, but you gotta respect yourself and what you're feeling. Take your time, don't mind feeling frustrated. You just don't need to revive in your mind everytime you broke up in your life before. Just let the time do their thing.
Biswas4u
December 27th, 2015 9:24am
i just cut all the way of communication from my ex because i had to move on and i had my family. so that i had come away from the depression as soon as possible.that's why i made myself strong,i just tried to keep myself busy and didn't look back again.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 8:57pm
Dealing with depression after a breakup is a tough thing. You really need to give yourself the time and patience to deal with the pain .
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 11:06pm
You should talk to someone that you are comfortable with and share all of your feelings so that they don't build up inside. You should make sure the person is trustworthy and that they really care about you and will be able to help you manage your depression.
oceansunfish
December 28th, 2015 12:04am
Act as if you were not depressed. Keep seeing your friends and taking care of yourself as you normally would, even if you don't feel like it. Keep doing the kind of things you would enjoy if you weren't feeling down. Work on finding a new routine - replace the things you used to do with your ex with something else. Don't get stuck at home alone doing nothing. If you don't get better soon, get help.
BatWings89
December 28th, 2015 6:20pm
Take care of yourself. Look for tips on the breakup-advice. Surround yourself with nice people who help you be active, going out, moving your body. Eat well, drink enough and do things to make you feel nice. You're going through a hard time - you deserve it!
Numberology
December 29th, 2015 4:16pm
Surrounding myself with family and friends. A support network does wonders during the tough times such as that.
highopes
December 30th, 2015 11:29am
you try to ignore thinking about your ex by doing hobbies or anything that will physical distract yourself ... put on some loud music and start dancing! serious;y
hpfan
December 31st, 2015 5:03am
By reminding yourself that there is more to your life than your ex-partner. Family, friends, school/work, hobbies, all these things are still there for you and will help you move on and feel better in time.
CT95
December 31st, 2015 6:08am
I personally call my girlfriends over and have a slumber party. Yummy food, funny stories, making memories while being able to talk about why I need there support right now because of the break up
clinicallycold
December 31st, 2015 2:27pm
honestly, you have to give yourself time. It's okay to be depressed afterwards, you built a connection with that person, and you need time to heal after ending that connection.
SaraMichelle
December 31st, 2015 9:11pm
You do things that make you happy without a second thought. You stop thinking about the other person for a while and only focus on your self. When you are ready, come to terms with the breakup. Find the good reasons before you find the bad.
AD20
January 1st, 2016 8:06am
How to deal with depression after a break-up in my opinion is you try to do something that makes you happy and that distracts you from the break-up. Listen to music, watch funny videos, spend time with friends and family, go shopping. Anything that makes you happy and distracts you. Try to forgive, forget and move on, or else you will just be torturing yourself.
Anonymous
January 2nd, 2016 6:29am
right now that you are depressed, every part of your existence wants to end the pain, and get free, from a cell surrounded with no bars, but with your own shitty thoughts instead. that is the worst kind of torture a soul can possibly go through. being tortured not by something horrible and ugly, but by your own thoughts! now, imagine how you felt about this prison, before getting depressed, or better yet, before you were even born! nothing, right!? there was no feeling! it didn't even exist! now, when you get out of this hell hole, this loophole pattern, you will not feel any kind of resentment for existence! you will not want to get away from life any more. you will want it, with all your heart. that my friend, is how a life of fulfillment and harmony will feel like :)
sereneTruth17
January 3rd, 2016 2:21am
I first allow myself to go through a grieving process: cry, and reflect and learn from my actions that may have contributed to the breakup, and continue to stay centered in my faith. I then begin working on not being alone - surround myself with quality people (friends, family), to lift my spirits. Being active and motivated is key.
Nithou
January 3rd, 2016 11:56am
Write a lot, every thought you have, everything causing you pain, every memory you have of the person, write it down (don't type it), as it'll help you get this out of your head. Sleep all the time you can, because you need it. And get back to sport, it'll give some oxygen to your mind, and allow you to empty it and also regain some well gained self confidence :)
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2016 1:50pm
Seeing them or reminding yourself of them by social media for example is going to give you more depression so keep yourself away from them and their social medias by blocking them because reminding yourself of them will cause you to miss them and feel depressed. Surround yourself with supportive people and friends and just keep yourself busy and do the things you love
wishfulVision48
January 3rd, 2016 8:22pm
Concentrate on moving forward, setting small goals to achieve one step at a time and looking forward to what the future may hold for me.
Anonymous
January 6th, 2016 1:42pm
Eat ice-cream while watching a funny movie. Maybe it can help :) I tried doing that it honestly worked, ha ha I did cry through the movie but after all that crying you start enjoying the movie and feel better about the breakup
Anonymous
January 6th, 2016 7:29pm
Feeling low after a break up is only natural, the best thing you can do is go with it - and try to keep your mind occupied. Try going out with friend's and family a little more.
AmazingAmz8
January 6th, 2016 9:30pm
Stay around lots of positive people who are very supportive and who can make you feel better and use negative thought distraction techniques... although this is easier said than done...
HopeIsAWakingDream20
January 7th, 2016 2:04am
I remind myself that I will grow stronger from the relationship. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused-and these feelings can be intense. You also may feel anxious about the future. It's important to realise these feelings will lessen in the future. Also, sharing your feelings with a close family member or friend can be very beneficial. Always keep your head up and know there are greater opportunities ahead!