April 25, 2010
How can a depressed person be happy , if he has no reference points ?
How can a mildly-extensively depressed person , who has been getting better mood wise , become Happy and stay in that state “for longer” , if he has absolutely no reference points , what so ever.
I mean most of the depressed people, ever since they can remember has been put in the middle of violent circumstances and abusive behaviors which caused them anxiety/depression/panic disorders etc.
What can he do to stay in a state of mental happiness after he survives depression ( and i mean without pills ) ?
Suggested Reading:
The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More FunGretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realize... Read More >
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Comments on How can a depressed person be happy , if he has no reference points ?
I have found that most depressed individuals do have a reference for happiness. However, during deep depression it is difficult to remember those times and they need assistance in remember/recreating that feeling.
One caveat to your questions is that the goal is not to be elated and maintain a constant bliss, even non-depressed people are not maintaining a state of happiness. The goal is to maintain a contentment with life. Happiness and sadness come and go for everyone. It is understandable to want a lot less sadness or to avoid it completely, but it is inevitable for everyone.
Some ways to treat depression without pills include determining and changing negative self talk (inner thoughts), acting “as if” (that is where you operate “as if” you were not depressed, this is helpful for someone who has stopped enjoyable activities because of depression), and learning positive coping skills.
Therapy is just as effect as antidepressants in most cases and is longer lasting. Hope this helps!