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My anxiety is getting worse and depression won't let me live my life, how do I overcome this?

217 Answers
Last Updated: 05/15/2022 at 9:53pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
Canada
Moderated by

Kajsa Futrell, RTC

Counselor

I specialise in respectfully helping people navigate their way through trauma and relationship issues. The adversities in our life can actually transform us.

Top Rated Answers
AlyssaFJ
June 11th, 2019 3:08am
I know this is probably something you've already been told previously. But please, get therapy. Talk to someone about this. Most people I know who get therapy say it's helped them tremendously. It's hard work and you have to really want to overcome it, but you will. Let someone help you carry this load. Things will get better. You will make peace with yourself. It may take a while, but it will be worth it. It's probably hard for you to be positive right now. This is hard. But you've done hard things before and I believe in you. I
sereneRiver1370
June 13th, 2019 3:35pm
some days ago I heard this from a post on FB and it helped me gain a new perspective to depression. hope this helps you too. ." we can choose to see depression not as a mental illness by a state of deep rest. A spiritual exhaustion that we go into when we are de-pressed. pressed down by the weight of the false self. To master the mind-made story of me. We long to stop pretending and express our raw truth, to give voice to our secret loneliness, our shame, our broken hearts, boredom, and brilliant rage. there is no shame to your exhaustion .we are all exhausted. slow down today, allow your self to rest deeply. and weep. and breath.and begin again."
juewomangala24
June 18th, 2019 8:09pm
Great question, I went through a lot of truama and had to be willing to get help. I asked for it saw my doctor and got proper medication and therapy. Don't be afraid to ask and be open to new things. It's not easy but you must try your best to get through the rough parts. Also, surround yourself with friends, and people you love. I myself got on Anti Anxiety/ Depression medication and my anxiety went from 95% to 5%, so highly recommend to someone with horrible anxiety as I had at one time. Don't be afraid please ok.
healingfriendwithyou
June 23rd, 2019 9:32am
Practice hypnosis or self hypnosis. This is a kind of guided meditation which will help you calm down. Do find the videos on Youtube and you will find a way to lead a peaceful life. You anxiety and depression will subside and hypnosis will help you take control of your mind and situation gradually. In a guided meditation, you are supposed to visualize and make changes to the way you think in a gradual manner. So, if you are unable to meditate yourself, guided meditation will definitely help you in overcoming anxiety and depression. So, go ahead and feel the change.
IamblessedSue
August 18th, 2019 4:32am
There are many ways to overcome depression and anxiety. There are many good applications. I have dealt with depression and anxiety myself. Overcoming requires help its not something you can overcome by yourself. Sometimes medication is needed and there are many apps that can help. I have personally found that reaching out to my therapist helped and she used psychotherapy yoga also. The psychotherapy yoga she is one of the few certified counselors in my area have helped so much. She has helped me learn a lot of different coping skills. I have a coping box that helps and the Yoga. I do the Yoga twice daily and it has made a difference in my energy levels and helped to alleviate the anxiety and depression.
Anonymous
September 17th, 2019 12:12pm
Think about all the good things you have around you . The details that are enough to make your day better and to make you smile ,the activities you like to enjoy ...Talk with people you love and who gives you always good energy . Embrace their energy and love. See all those people who are there for you and love you just the way you are . Open your eyes and see the bright colours of your life and the good things that are there because they are more stronger than you think .
zaatarHoney
October 31st, 2019 6:35pm
It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot at the moment and my heart goes out to you. The truth is, when anxiety and/or depression start disrupting your daily life, that’s usually a decent indicator that seeking out mental health services would be beneficial. Always remember, you aren’t alone in this. Seeking out support from our 7Cups community, our Listeners, your trusted offline friends and family, and a licensed professional would all be very helpful during this time. What comes next? Taking each day step by step. Every battle someone faces is a bit unique, in the sense that.. what works for me, might not work for you too. And, that’s okay. So spending time figuring out what to put in your own ‘tool/first aid kit’ so to speak, will help a bunch. Best wishes, take care.
Anonymous
November 22nd, 2019 8:14pm
It is very important to know that in life there are no immediate solutions to problems. Solving problems takes time, energy and effort. In therapy we should not look at the mind, the soul and the body as separate units, but rather as a single unit. The mind cannot be treated away from the treatment of the soul and soul. ...Some things that can help in the treatment of depression such as: communicating with friends, listening to stimulating music, playing sports, doing new activities, medications, taking responsibility, getting enough sleep and eating healthy, helps to get rid of depression once and for all and develop a routine....
rosewolf1726
December 27th, 2019 5:00pm
I've had a lot of experience in this area. One of the best things you can do for this is try and get out. Don't let yourself sit and dwell on things cause that only will make things worse. For you to overcome your depression you need to be stronger than it. Which everyone is they just don't see that at the time cause it hurts. When do things that help you and find that one thing that constantly makes you happy and you keep doing it will slowly heal you! The worst thing you can do is go to something bad to help heal you. examples are drinking or smoking. Find something healthy and productive!
caringBerry61
January 1st, 2020 6:26pm
There's nothing to overcome. Just practice the complete acceptance of the present moment. Accept your anxiety and depression and be friendly to them, let them arise inside of you, understand where is their source, welcome them and let them go, like clouds in the sky: let them come, give them a warm welcome, look at them, observe their shape, colour, size then let the wind gently blow them away. Whenever you feel anxiety and any other emotion, be it "bad" or "good" repeat to yourself: “Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever.” That's how you start to practice the complete acceptance of the present moment, just as it is. And that's how you deal with your emotions, knowing them, welcoming them, understanding them and letting them go.
Anonymous
January 10th, 2020 7:49am
Sometimes it can feel like anxiety and depression rule our lives. Once those anxious thoughts creep in, it can feel impossible to shut them off. Even the most mundane, routine tasks can feel like the most difficult tasks. Anxiety and depression can trick us into thinking that the sky is falling, and there is nothin we can do to stop it- but they're lying to us. No step is too small. Reaching out on 7Cups is a great start to tackling your anxiety and depression, so I want to congratulate you and thank you for being honest and willing to share.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 2:04pm
you can start with doing something you used to like in the past, like reading a book or traveling. And than, when you ll feel better, you can start talking to someone you liked chatting. You can talk about your hobbies, your family, your friends, your boss maybe, your teachers. Than read the best book you ever heard of. Try to concentrate on the good things in life and spend most of your time by doing it. Try to keep your mind off of the bad things and try to take back control. You can do this, and I believe in you, and your family does too.
MissLisa
February 12th, 2020 3:46pm
Speak out- talk to someone whether that is a friend, family member, doctor or even a neighbor. A problem shared is always a problem halved. Often we carry a load on our shoulders and just by chatting with someone can really help off load. You can also try self help guides online or in book format. It may also be of use to get outdoors, be surrounded by nature. Exercise has been proven to be of benefit to our mental health. As for anxiety you could always try a weighted blanket or heat pad. There is also a range of meditation apps which you may find useful.
YourNeighbourhoodsuperhero
February 14th, 2020 1:24am
I suggest, finding someone to talk to and noticing what patterns your doing and noting them down, the numbing patterns, and dont entirely cut yourself off from them because that would add far more to the stress but try to periodically indulge in them, and do one tiny thing to move urself out, usually and a major part of it is to do with the relations you have in your life and the circumstance - See how Im typing and talking to you as I answer this? Try this communication style where you can be vulnerable and honest. If you can find someone who can talk to you like that - you will be on your way to creating a Blue layer of protection that will make you feel safe and secure within which you can get up for and start exploring life around you - slowly lifting yourself out of depression. That is my suggestion.
sweetJoy92
February 14th, 2020 7:58pm
I'd say it would be impossible to do on your own. Reaching out is the first step and I don't mean going out and finding like-minded people. That could actually bring more harm then good. Overcoming anxiety and depression will be a grueling and time-consuming endeavor but through finding the right people (therapists, supportive friends/ family, people you trust) progress is sure to follow. Though, a team effort is necessary in overcoming anxiety and depression, it also takes self encouragement and self motivation to continue; to want to see yourself better and happier and fining motivation in that to continue the hike up the mountain. Though the journey may seem impossible or the fight never-ending. I'm certain the view from the top will be magnificent.
kindDreamer9743
February 22nd, 2020 2:57pm
At this point it's definable worth talking to other people about this including your doctor and a therapist before it spirals out of control. Although there is plenty of self help tools out there which can be used and will take a little practice and focus on to strike up some good techniques to implement asap, talking to a close friend or indeed a stranger also helps in some cases there's always advice out there to be had, this is something you cant afford to leave and fester as it generally has a nasty habit of growing and getting worse.
HappyBeach
March 4th, 2020 8:59pm
My grandmother once told me a great saying and it has helped me so many times in life. How do you eat an elephant? (No don't really eat an elephant) One bite at a time. I often think that we look at the big picture and sometimes that can be overwhelming. I think we have to break things down into bite size pieces. One bite at a time. One second at a time, one minute, one hour, one day... whatever it takes to make it more comfortable and manageable. I write down goals and gratitude with this as well, this helps me to see the small things. One day it might be a couple of things and the next day one might be I am breathing. Small steps, baby steps. I also think that with that we need to slow down, sometimes just practicing breathing and relaxation is so helpful. A 1 minute breathing exercise to calm us restores a lot in our mind and slows it all down so we can decide what is our next bite.
ReassuringRey
March 18th, 2020 6:19am
Truly, I have been in your position for and know what it's like to have anxiety and depression take over your life and make you feel as though you have no say over it anymore. To overcome it, the treatments vary. Some just include minor adjustments to your daily routine and others involve a more intensive approach. We do have many communities here at 7Cups that can help you fight these battles, as well as free listening and therapy at a fee. Also, just waking up and letting yourself have the mindset that you are in control of your life and you can decide how you want to handle your anxiety and depression, should it come up, is a really good technique as well.
ashni687096
March 23rd, 2020 1:47am
I have felt the same way before. It sucks. But there is always a way out. I know when I felt like I couldn't live my life anymore, I would just talk. I would talk to my sister, my parents, or my friends. Sometimes I didn't even talk to them about how I felt. I just talked to the people that made me happy. If I found that any time by myself would make my anxiety worse, I would constantly talk to people (different people of course so you don't get tired of just one person). I would occasionally tell them how I was feeling so I could be listened to, but I would also just talk to them because I found that I was happier with them than I was by myself. Then, once I started to feel like myself again, I would go back to my regular routine.
helpfulRose97
March 25th, 2020 12:43pm
Try to do things you normally dont do everyday - things that make you happy or things in the past that have made you happy. For example, going for a quick run, drawing, journaling, yoga, calling a friend. Things like this may make you feel happy and make you realize other things too that you enjoy as well. Maybe you like to cook, ride your bike, walk a dog, something that you forgot about that brings you joy. We all need happiness in our lives. Also remember to practice self-care. Take some time for just yourself. :) Stay positive and keep fighting. You've got this!
smpc
March 26th, 2020 3:44am
I understand how you are feeling, I often feel as if these feelings are getting in the way of my life. It can be hard to move past these feelings but in the end It is so rewarding. Also, remember that getting help is not a bad thing, these are illnesses and sometimes treatment is needed. Doing something I love helps me let go of these feelings for awhile, you could try this. In these times, I like to think of this quote "Feel what you need to feel and then let it go, do not let it consume you."
cal1860
March 26th, 2020 10:35am
Firstly, it's very important to seek medical help now. Seeing your doctor and having a chat with him will be a relief to you in itself. He/she might advise that medication will help and refer you to a specialist, therapist, counsellor or any other service that he/she feels might help you. It might be a appropriate to tell your partner, family and friends that you're not feeling so good at the moment. If you feel able, having a chat with a close friend might help. In the short-term, if you have to wait for appointments to come through, use the listening service on & Cups - expert help is also available on the site. Sometimes just putting life on hold can help, if that's not possible (if you've got kids or other responsibilities) try to get some support or just do the essentials until you're feeling better. It's important to care for yourself first. Overcoming not being able to let your live your life because of anxiety and depression might take a long time, but it does become manageable.
InuNoTaisho
April 1st, 2020 4:32pm
Anxiety and depression are very fierce enemies. I have fought them myself, and i have to say it is hard, but not impossible. You would first need to asses how much they impact your daily life. After the initial assesment, you will need to start looking for help, either here or on other places. With patience, a strict life regime and trust in yourself, you can most definitely overcome this. Speaking to other people helps a great deal. Reading about how to handle it helps alot too. But in my opinion, what helps to get through tough times is keeping yourself busy. This way you can focus on finding a solution without being haunted by the negative thoughts.
Antoniette12
April 5th, 2020 2:20pm
I non't this feeling all to well. I was once in a state of depression that effected my entire life including work and home. I went thru several relationships looking for something and i didn't even know what it looked like. I spent my entire childhood in an emotional lock down pretending i was okay, when in fact i wasn't. I say that to say this, depression is something we have control over. I realized that i was creating my own state of depression. I hadn't dealt with my trauma and i was using my childhood tactics to portray someone being strong and can deal with anything. Right now Im currently writing a book to help me thru those traumas and i must say it does get better everyday. I hope this touches you well.
Cerys15
April 9th, 2020 7:15am
I believe that a good way to overcome this is by completing breathing techniques which sometimes my be hard but will help to reduce the stress of everything that is going on around you and to focus on yourself. Another way I believe is a good way to overcome anxiety and depression is by talking to others. This helps to relieve the bottled up emotions that you may be feeling and they may be able to help you through your time of need. This will help you to remove those negative emotions from your system and to feel better about yourself.
Anonymous
April 18th, 2020 1:17pm
Sorry to hear this. It will hundred percent get better when you are in control of ur mind and ur mind is not in control of you. It requires a lot of effort to get back on the track but if you put in the effort things will get better. The secret to your future lies in your daily habits. Create a support circle around you, get your emotions out by talking to people you trust, come up with a plan to keep yourself healthy, do things you like, tap into your hobbies, and really invest in yourself. Depression is the result of the past and anxiety is worrying about the future. live in the moment and take back your control.
NorthwardMagenta
April 25th, 2020 7:24pm
I hate to hear that you are feeling this waym. Anxiety and depression is overwhelming to say the least. I can't imagine how you feel if you feel like its not easing. You know your situation best. What do you think would help you overcome this or at the very least alleviate it. Do you have sources or situations that make your anxiety worse? I am here to help and support you. Is there something I could do today to help give you some relief. I am here to listen. Please share
DreamerDestiny
May 15th, 2020 6:27pm
You have to find coping mechanisms for yourself. Having anxiety and depression is not so uncommon. The struggle that comes with it is quite something to deal with. In these times you can have help from your friends, surrounding yourself with good people and therapy would definitely help ❤ finding some hobbies, sticking to them might be helpful too. Open up to someone close to yourself about anything you feel like is bothering you and triggering your depression. Asking help is not only very normal but it actually helps you in your situation.also you will be surprised to find out how many are willing to help
kindEars2121
May 22nd, 2020 2:54am
Some anxiety is a normal part of life. It’s a byproduct of living in an often-chaotic world. Anxiety isn’t all bad, though. It makes you aware of danger, motivates you to stay organized and prepared, and helps you calculate risks. Still, when anxiety becomes a daily struggle, it’s time to act before it snowballs. Unchecked anxiety may greatly impact your quality of life. Take control by trying out the ideas below. Stay active, Don't drink alcohol, stop smoking, sleep well, Ditch caffeine, maditate, eat natural diet, practice deep breathing, Try aromatherapy, Studies have shown that aromatherapy: helps you relax,helps you sleep, boosts mood,reduces heart rate and blood pressure
Anonymous
May 31st, 2020 7:57pm
Having depression and anxiety both is the worse combination ever. I would suggest you to deal with both of them individually as they are two separate mental issues. When it comes to depression, you can start by questioning why you feel this way and what makes you feel this way. Did something happen that made you feel depressed or it could be inherited your genes as well. Going to the root of the problem really helps. When it comes to anxiety first you need to categorize the kind of anxiety you have. Is it social anxiety or Generalized anxiety disorder? You could try different grounding exercises accordingly. In my opinion seeking professional help or even support from friends and family can make a huge difference!