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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
Anonymous
August 1st, 2015 3:47pm
To deal with your depression after a breakup you can do many things . You can try deleting everything after your breakup with your girlfriend/boyfriend off of your phone or whatever else , you can try hanging out with friends to get your mind off things , you could take sometime to yourself by relaxing !
itsokaycomputer
August 1st, 2015 7:26am
It's a painful stage in any person's life but it's important to let go of any resentment for the other person who we once might have loved. Moreover, it should be seen as an opportunity to grow as a person and know that life is all about experiences. Let go of the bad things and remember the good things; and take the positives and start a new chapter of your life knowing that you will be stronger for it.
Anonymous
July 31st, 2015 9:20pm
I think that if you talk with someone you trust about all of your feelings, you'll be 110% better. Honestly, I have written down my feelings as well as talked to someone I dearly trusted - I immediately felt better.
Brok3nHeart
July 30th, 2015 11:44pm
I try to listen to music and stay active. Picking up a sport or hobby helps. Also, talking is the best medicine.
johnhigh22
July 30th, 2015 12:26am
Talk about it with your friends , try out new hobbies and LOOK AT YOUR MIRROR AND SMILE life's small
Anonymous
July 29th, 2015 4:40pm
Surround yourself with support (family friends...) try and lead a normal life and try and keep yourself motivated. If you feel it is to strong contact your GP and they will be able to offer treatment options.
funnyFreedom92
July 29th, 2015 5:58am
Depression caused from break ups are not often simple. Try using 7 cups site to find suggestions, maybe a licensed therapist
xray
July 29th, 2015 5:57am
The breakup in itself doesn't cause depression, but the way you take it does. Analyze what it is specifically about breaking up that causes the depression. Be really honest with yourself and you will find something that you might not want to admit, but if you do and you can find a solution to it, the depression will certainly be lessened.
Raerejean
July 26th, 2015 9:11pm
Focus on you! Take this time to relearn yourself, what things do you like to do now? Places you like to go? Surround yourself with positivity! Dont let a break up get you down. You lived life before them & you can keep living without them.
MiraculousMermaid13
July 26th, 2015 7:43pm
The way I find it easier to deal with depressing after a break up is accepting the pain, accept what has happened to you, and then making yourself feel better, whether its taking your self out to do something fun or going to your favorite restaurant. I find it easier not to dwell on it, it will eat you alive and you start asking "what ifs". Don't do that to yourself, find something to distract you!
Anonymous
July 26th, 2015 11:00am
I stayed as far as I could from my ex, always kept myself among people listening their stories about anything, I just kept myself busy with positive stuff.
wondersoflife
July 25th, 2015 10:45pm
See a whole life without them. I know you can do it because at one point that person wasn't in your life until you meet them.
divinemind
July 25th, 2015 4:38pm
Break ups can hurt a lot and most break ups can lead to depression. If you're experiencing this pain don't get in denial about the situation it can hurt you even worst. It's best to accept what had happen. It's best to surround yourself with positive people who will help you in your time of need. Another thing to do is to express your emotions don't let them build up just release them.
Thanks4Calling
July 25th, 2015 4:16am
One step one day at a time. Immerse yourself with uplifting people and interests. Relax with massage or hot bath. Read great book. Go to movie or cafe. Pamper yourself. Eat healthy and exercise to boost endorphins. Keep youself and your mind busy on anything but the breakup.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2015 4:14am
Surround yourself with friends and loved ones, don't isolate yourself, keep your mind occupied and yourself busy.
brighterdawn
July 24th, 2015 2:27pm
The best way to deal is divert your mind and not think about him/her. The more you think about that person the more painful will it be for you and also with no solution so its better to indulge in other activities and keep yourself as busy as possible
Anonymous
July 24th, 2015 6:36am
Perhaps finding an activity you enjoy or finding a new activity or hobby to keep you busy. Enlisting friends to help you through this journey by going out and enjoying mutual activities with one another.
tranquilFreedom
July 23rd, 2015 11:53pm
This differs for everyone but what usually helps is if you are diagnosed with depression to keep taking your pills like you're supposed to and just take it one day at a time.
tranquilBubbles99
July 23rd, 2015 1:55pm
Try to go out with your friends or out on a date with a fun entertaining person. Or perhaps try to forget about them a little even though it'll be hard, just think about something positive.
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2015 4:06am
I try to spend time working on loving myself again, that seems to be what a lot of people forget to do. I've been known to take myself out on dates. I'll go out to movies, frozen yogurt, lunch - by myself. I like to get comfortable being alone in my own skin again. It's never easy to go through a breakup, but everything gets better in time.
organicDeer83
July 22nd, 2015 8:20pm
It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused—and these feelings can be intense.Accept that reactions like these will lessen over time . Give yourself permission to feel and to function at a less than optimal level for a period of time.take time to heal, regroup, and re-energize. Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help you get through this period. Isolating yourself can raise your stress levels, reduce your concentration, and get in the way of your work, relationships, and overall health. Don’t be afraid to get outside help if you need it.
frostyRose25
July 22nd, 2015 5:18pm
The most important thing that is to surround yourself with people who value, respect, and love you. Through this tough time, they will encourage and push you to do things that might seem difficult now and will help you in your journey to find who you are once again.
troubleBreaker
July 22nd, 2015 3:17pm
The very first thing to do is to focus on the positives. There is usually a good reason to break up, and you need some time alone to figure out how to get your life back on to the singles track. Your ex-partner may or may not have been a huge influence on your life and this may make it difficult to adjust to the new life. However, though you have to ultimately figure things out for yourself, you needn't be lonely, and should enjoy the occasional time with friends. This can help cope with depression.
AlovingFriend
July 19th, 2015 10:06pm
After a breakup, your depression may hit your lowest point. Your feeling of loss and loneliness can easily spiral you down further into your depression. Keeping your friends and family close is important, and so is keeping busy if you find yourself feeling the most depressed when you have free time.
Oreo
July 19th, 2015 7:50pm
Reintroduce the kind of feelings that you had before the relationship happened, and maybe take up a new activity that is basically a blank slate with no memories of the person with whom the breakup occurred.
patientWords25
July 19th, 2015 5:35pm
After my last breakup it took me a while to start thinking positively again, I mostly got over it by talking to friends and trying to think positively about the breakup, telling myself that my previous partner obviously wasn't "the one" so I just have to keep looking as somewhere out there the perfect partner for me exists. It's important to take it slow though as it might be hard to really appreciate your new partner if you just dive into a new relationship while you are still having trouble to get over your last partner.
Anonymous
July 19th, 2015 5:14am
I am sorry that you feel depressed after a breakup, but sometimes it helps people to keep active and surround themselves with people that care for you and want to help you get better.
TheComedyTragedy
July 18th, 2015 8:19pm
Sometimes it isn't a simple answer like that, a breakup causes a lot of emotional trauma and some people heal with time, friendships, talking, people and hobbies etc. whereas others feel the need for therapy and / or a medication to help relieve the depression.
Anonymous
July 18th, 2015 6:24pm
Talking to friends, distracting myself, hobbies, and many other things helped me cope with depression after a loss. Also, seeing a therapist was very helpful.
Anonymous
July 18th, 2015 2:40pm
Well i would usually sing, draw and play sports when i'm depressed because i refuse to let my own sadness take away everything i worked so hard for in life. There are many fish in the sea why cry over that one.