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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
Anonymous
August 24th, 2020 12:07pm
Breaking up is hard especially if more so if it wasnt your choice and you are still in love with that person it ican seem difficult to let go. I would say allow yourself to be sad and to feel the loss "that grieving feeling" it's ok but it's also important that you have friends and family you can talk to when you need to. Also if you can if there is a particular hobby that you try and keep yourself busy or maybe throw yourself into something new. Ultimately focus on you and doing what you need to in order to feel better
DenniseRNstudent
July 18th, 2020 4:59am
Dealing with depression after a breakup is like dealing with the death of a loved one. The five stages of grief are part of break ups. It is something that only time helps heal. I still remember my last serious relationship was with a man who was from a completely different religion and culture than me and how the relationship drained me dry. I was so in love with him and when he broke up with me I completely isolated myself from the world. I couldn't sleep or eat but all I wanted to do stay in bed. I remember the best support I had were my friends. Having good friends is the best thing you can have when trying to get over a break up.
Anonymous
November 26th, 2019 2:23am
Breakups are very difficult, and I am sorry you are going through that. Many times after a relationship ends we question what we did wrong, we question if we will ever be happy again, we long for those moments we were happy, but truthfully you will be happy again. Use this as time to reconnect with yourself. Being alone can be great in the sense you do not have to make anyone else happy but yourself. Re-evaluate what you want out of a partner. Did your last partner have any traits that you didn't like? Focus on that and how you do not want that to happen in your next relationship. Surround yourself with positive people, and do things for yourself that make you happy. Give yourself a day to be sad, but pick yourself up the next day and do something positive. Eventually it will get better ❤️ 💕
Anonymous
October 18th, 2018 3:14am
My boyfriend just send me this what do I do? I noticed i have been acting weird lately and haven’t responded to you. I feel I am in a place in our relationship where i don’t what i want at the moment. It isn’t you its me, you never did anything to make me feel this way. I need a break in our relationship to find myself and truly feel if i want to be in the relationship or if we should just end it. It wouldn’t be fair for me to drag you along if don’t feel the same, not saying i do or don’t. Please give me space and time to discover myself and see what i want. Like you said before to tell you and be honest with you about what i felt about the relationship, well i am doing it now. I’m sorry if this is a shock to you but i rather tell you now that later.
turquoiseBranch3489
May 29th, 2018 7:28am
for how long I am going to be depressed after a breakup. It has already been 5 weeks and I do not feel better at all.
hopefulrabbit27
April 16th, 2018 8:49am
Just time and space. They are the things that help. Yea,friends and family play a role too but you need to help yourself by being caring to yourself and by giving time to yourself,to heal
gForce
September 27th, 2016 7:44pm
Distract yourself, eat lots of cake. Hang out with your friends, Hang out with your family. Do something to reward yourself and make you feel good. When feelings of separation come up, think about what's important to you in life, and do something to reinforce that.
Anonymous
September 26th, 2016 4:19am
I have always found that talking through it helps immensely. I find a friend who will listen, and I just vent. I cry, I laugh, I get everything out of my system. It feels amazing to be able to say anything and not be judged. Advice is welcome and usually appreciated, but sometimes just being able to vent helps. If there's no one available to listen, I write.
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2016 6:41pm
Everyone needs time to grieve after a breakup, death in the family, etc. BUT you have to remember that you are worth it! You have to mentally and physically pull yourself together and get back on track by focusing on yourself. The right person will come your way with time! Never let any situation get in your way, but let it be another lesson learned and you'll be able to help someone else who is facing the same situation that you are.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2016 11:10pm
People who are meant to be in your life,will be present and the ones who are not meant to be,fade away.Dont be so hard on yourself.Hang out with your friends,do things that you love.When you are happy with yourself,you will find someone again.This is just another page in your book.
Anonymous
June 10th, 2016 4:00am
After a breakup, things are definitely hard. But always try to stay strong and don't ever keep those unpleasant feelings to yourself. Tell them to a trusted confidante, and I assure you it will only do you good. That girl/boy is definitely out there, s/he will definitely show up in your life soon, because, you and her/him are meant to be.
Anonymous
June 9th, 2016 8:47pm
Well i allways treat myself with my favorite things such as food, some new items. After that i just start communicating with other people without hesitation, so i wouldn't feel so lonely and vulnerable, people pass by and we keep on living, nothing is permanent.
Anonymous
June 9th, 2016 2:56pm
Try deviating your mind from your ex...Do the activities you love...Spend quality time with yourself..be optimistic.. You will surely get over it
Killjoyxreject
June 5th, 2016 7:37pm
Try and surrounded yourself with things that make you happy, your friends, family, your favorite activities, ect.
JTKMA
June 5th, 2016 6:53pm
I'm trying to speak to a lot of people, I go out with friends,.. I just do everything I can to think about something else like sport, draw, videogames or anything else. And if I want to stay at home cause I'm too depressed to go out, I speak with people on Skype. I also try to think about all the defaults of my ex and tell myself that I can have better and so it's not a big waste.
Anonymous
June 4th, 2016 1:56pm
Listen to happy music to bring you mood up! Always smile and remember that life goes on and you need to be able to make yourself happy before moving on to someone else. Keep you head up!!! Always and forever.
Anonymous
June 4th, 2016 12:57pm
I try and hide my feelings, I do not think about it. I just put on music and hide under the covers, depression can be hell.
SunnySara
March 1st, 2016 12:54am
You have to do whatever makes you happy or whatever makes you sad. It's honestly very different for each case
cherryblossom78
February 16th, 2016 12:31am
Try to watch yourself as if it would be a 3rd person. See the thoughts and depressed emotion arise and just think to yourself "ah, these are the sad emotions and depressed thoughts coming in like a cloud. It will also go away, just like the clouds in the sky". Putting a distance between yourself and your thoughts can help you see your emotions in a more neutral and observant way.
brightSun25
February 11th, 2016 2:12pm
After a breakup, we are depressed to a lot extent because our mind keeps revolving around that phase and never let us think about the other environment. I know it takes times as I have experienced it myself. But pals, what is the use of moving into depression when you know that you are no longer going to be compatible with the other person fro now.. So leave the past and grow the roots of new life. Moreover you will have lot many advice to deal with this. But what you need is to make your heart strong and calculative to tackle the future.
Anonymous
February 6th, 2016 4:02pm
I just find a different person to go to and depression I find ways to cope with it because those feelings is irritable.
Anonymous
February 5th, 2016 9:36pm
Coping with it will be hard but try to understand and me kind to yourself. Breakups are hard
ravimailin
February 5th, 2016 9:29am
i think that more better person and better life wil come ..always be ready for change , change always good for ourselves to improve us.
Mike8448
January 31st, 2016 2:45pm
Talk about your depression and get moving, both physically and mentally. Recovery will come but it will be in small steps so be patient and kind with yourself.
Mikeysidiotx
January 30th, 2016 3:56pm
im still trying to figure that out myself. its harder than i thought it would be but it has gotten easier. remember that you are the most important person in your life. dont let you past distract you in the present or future. stay positive lovelies.
TheSupport
January 28th, 2016 7:54pm
Spend time with your friends and family. At the worst cases a medical treatment might be needed such as antidepressants.
glowlisten
January 27th, 2016 10:26pm
It isn't easy. But you have to take it one step at a time. Focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives.
Anonymous
January 27th, 2016 7:33pm
I usually try to hang out with friends as much as possible. Surrounding yourself with loved ones that care about you and that you can talk to is a key element to staying positive. Also keeping busy and focusing on your work and what makes you happy very important too.
Newperspective18
January 27th, 2016 6:26am
Because it's hard to see that someone cares about you and it's even harder to feel like your letting them down
cherishedEmbrace34
January 24th, 2016 2:36pm
After a breakup there's a million things rushing through your head, mostly regret. You'd be in a huge dilemma of 'what if's' the most important thing is to remember you existed before you met your ex. Join clubs, charity devote your time to something that will make you happy and not what used to make the bot of you happy. Take more time for yourself and go out more. Your ex just lost the best thing in their life and you need to prove it.