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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
Moderated by

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
JoeMarlo
December 17th, 2015 6:41am
It is important to remind yourself if there isn't someone to do so for you that there are many people in the world all as unique and lovable as the next and that it isn't the end of days, This is a normal reaction to such a situation and you should only become worried if the depression hovers or lingers for two weeks or longer and has been unrelenting.
CuddlyOasis98
December 17th, 2015 2:19am
You could do something that makes you happy like hang out with friends or enjoy any hobby like, playing any sport, listening to music, or reading a book or anything that you like. Give Time for yourself pamper yourself maybe go to some spa or somewhere else you enjoy going
StormyAngles18
December 17th, 2015 12:30am
The ways you can deal with depression after break up is 1) spend time with family and friends (That's the best remedy) 2) Find as many distractions as you possibly can to keep your mind off them. 3) Get reminders away from you and out of site until you are able to cope with seeing them. 3) Help others
CaringJoy
December 16th, 2015 10:19pm
The best way to deal with depression after a break up is to remove all reminders of that person and delete pictures of that person from our phones/devices. Accept that it happened and build your self worth by reminding yourself there so many other people who will care about you and accept you for who you are. Find other distractions like exercising, hobbies and spending more time with family/friends. Focus on getting yourself back to feeling good about yourself by pampering yourself and working on improving your self image.
Manatea1
December 16th, 2015 7:56pm
It is hard to deal with a breakup and depression at the same time. It is important to keep yourself busy and finding time for yourself. It is imperative that we remember who we are and what are needs are. We need to regain self worth and independence by being active and doing things that are most important to you.
Oodelaley
December 16th, 2015 5:56pm
I think that finding other activities to occupy my time were the best way for me to deal with post breakup depression. Surrounding myself with fun and positive people was also a big part of getting through it.
TopHattedTeaMan
December 16th, 2015 4:54pm
Think about how much you are worth (which is a lot) and work to becoming a better person based of the good qualitys you have.
Patrick91
December 16th, 2015 4:52pm
That's a difficult question to answer. After my fiancee left me, I struggled for about a year with loneliness and depression. I found that developing strong, platonic relationships with people really helped me. I also tried to "branch out" by trying more challenging projects at work. It helped me stay enegergized and focused; plus, it helped me realize that I'm a valuable asset to a team. Bottom line: Find something that will occupy your mind; surround yourself with positive friends; and take the time that you need to learn more about what you need from a future relationship. Good luck. Keep your head up! Reach out to me if you'd like to talk about your relationship.
Anonymous
December 16th, 2015 3:35pm
First thing you need to do is accept the fact that you broke up and make yourself busy with other things such that you will never have thoughts about your breakup and dont shut other people from your life, make new hobbies and dont blame yourself and try to be positive. This is what i did when i were in your situation. So i hope this will help
UndulatingKyle
December 16th, 2015 3:14pm
Talk to someone about it. This is a great place to do so. Talking through all of your thoughts and feelings about the other person can save you from making a bad mistake.
iouty
December 16th, 2015 12:56pm
You walk through the sludge until you find a river to wash yourself clean. Depression is from the separation.
readman
December 16th, 2015 4:33am
Maintaining a routine helps, talking with a friend, hiding all the things that makes you remember that person and allowing you to feel bad-heartbroken, cry is you need to but not all day, everyday. You need to allow yourself to do something you like to do, also.
Anonymous
December 15th, 2015 2:04pm
From my experience, I dealt with my depression after a breakup by busying myself with hobbies, school, or friends. At times, I would let myself to cry, because it helped me release my emotions.
Anonymous
December 13th, 2015 2:05pm
Breakups can be very hard be the key is to be around people that love you and just want to support you, it will be hard for a little bit but you just have to remember everything happens for a reason and you will be okay in time, I'm here to listen.
ManyFaceMan
December 13th, 2015 1:05pm
this is hard and mostly work differently for everyone.my advice would be to take it day by day step by step. you will feel depressed rejected and alone. you should avoid been alone for to long. been with friends and family helps. do things you normally did before your relationship to minimize painful memory's, and most of all don't blame yourself. there are someone out there who will love you for you.
gentlePrince55
December 12th, 2015 2:17pm
The best way to deal with depression after a breakup is to be with the people you care about- or even better find someone else to love. If you find a new person to invest your love in, you will quickly forget you were ever depressed.
Anonymous
December 11th, 2015 1:12pm
spend time with the people who care about you (family / friends), doing this will help to take your mind off of things
spoopyhooty
November 3rd, 2015 2:19am
First off, I’m very sorry to hear about your breakup. It’s a horrible feeling, and in my experience it leaves an empty hole. But that hole will heal, even if it may not seem like that now. It always seems like the end of the world. It always seems like you will never find a better lover and that you will never feel the same again. In my experience, this has never been true. If it was meant to be, then it will be. If it was not meant to be, then it will not be. You will find another lover, probably many other lovers. You will say “I love you you” to another person. What I’ve done to get through break ups is I’ve immersed myself in something that I like doing. Being around friends and being social can really help. If you’re not able to be social, then taking up a project or a sport can be a great way to recover.
miraculousIcicle83
November 2nd, 2015 4:42pm
Cry. Seriously, Crying is one of the best ways you can deal with anything as well as talking. Cry and Talk to your friends, to your parents.
Someone2LeanOn
October 27th, 2015 7:53am
Treat yourself to something nice. Spend time with close friends and family you love and take it easy and think on the positive side of life! ;)
whimsicalstarlight
September 18th, 2015 4:08am
Try not to think about the breakup, keep yourself busy with family, friends, school, or even work. Even if the places you've gone remind of all the good memories you spent together in the past, have a positive mindset and say to yourself "it's time to move on and make new memories." Pace yourself slowly, try not to have contact with your ex partner, it will only bring more pain to yourself and your ex partner. You will start to feel better internally and move one, remember there is always someone better than the previous. When the time is right that person will come into your life. There is always a new beginning.
powerfulStrawberries4371
September 14th, 2015 3:47am
we should concentrate on our work and achive something high in our life then everyone will follow you
fairmindedPal3763
- Expert in Depression
September 12th, 2015 5:13pm
2 weeks ago i was in an amazing relationship, or i thought. I was planning our wedding, We just found out we are pregnant with.. 3 babies. And overnight he advised me that he didn't want to be together anymore and then systematically deleted me from his life. From social media, blocked my phone calls etc . Fast forward 2 weeks and i was informed he has gone back with his ex girlfriend. I NEED advice on how to get over this pain because the betrayal i feel is killing me.
Anonymous
August 16th, 2015 6:34pm
The most important thing to remember after a breakup is not to fight the hurt/pain/struggle. It's inevitable that you'll feel that to some extent, so try and ride it out. Time is the greatest healer in this situation. Use ANY support available to you, and remember that it DOES get better.
Larzy
August 16th, 2015 3:59am
I'd think it was the same as any kind of depression, You could seek medical help or discussing the issue with your ex may help...?
Ky23
August 15th, 2015 11:51pm
You have to trust that things will always workout as they should, and that includes a breakup. Support and time spent with family and friends, passes the time, until you can move on.
Tomislav
August 15th, 2015 4:18pm
Dealing with depression after a break up is certainly hard. Lot of thoughts drive through your mind. Was it about me? Wasnt i good enough? What could i have done better? These thoughts lead to depression. Feeling of low self worth and often a desire of revenge (if it was a rough break up) accompany it. It is hard to comfort someone going through a break up. Person is reminiscing good memories they had with a feeling of loss. It is necessary to comfort the person in such a way that wont blacken their former partner in their eyes, as friends usually do. 'she was a bitch' 'he doesnt deserve you' and similar thoughts can only worsen the guilt and/or depression and prolong the time of mental recovery after a break up. Comfort them with kind and encouraging words and tell them they need to face the facts and move on, as it is the only way to deal with a break up. I hope this answer helps, my dear questioner. Do not try to take revenge over your former beloved ones as your feelings of anger and depression will pass. It takes time but you ARE a good person and you DO deserve someone to love you. You will find them! Remember your former beloved ones with respect and dignity. And let them go.
coolvibes
August 15th, 2015 1:56am
Allow yourself to feel your emotions then take breaks from them and fill your time with what ever you need. hang around people who can support you in what your going through. Be kind to yourself.
CrystalFriend
August 14th, 2015 8:57pm
I think keeping busy in work or hobbies can be helpful. If you are lucky enough to have friends and/or family as a support system reach out to them.
mysticalcod
August 14th, 2015 3:17pm
I think this is a tough one especially if you didn't want to break up. I think these things take a lot of time to heal. I also think spend as much of your free time with friends and family coz sitting home by yourself dwelling on the breakup isn't going to help