I don't know how more people aren't depressed

[Springisnear4]

Life just is depressing imo. You work all the hours with no appreciation for someone who would replace you tomorrow, everything is really expensive, you just go through the motions going on some semi average holiday once a year, most days are the same, tiring and boring.

I'd need to be a different person.

Happiness is only chemicals that are released when you do certain things. Its not always connected to your circumstances, and I think many people think "I will only be happy when I have a better job / better holidays / more money" etc. But they aren't the things that release the happy hormones.

Socialising, exercise, sunlight, human interaction, eating certain foods, ticking tasks off a list, getting good sleep, singing...all of these are the things that release the dopamine, serotonin, endorphins that make us feel happy.

So even if you are in a job you dislike, by walking there and ringing a friend / family member for a chat on the way, and sitting outside on your lunch break and eating a healthy lunch, vastly improves how you feel in the day. How you approach your life is within your control.

Such a lovely post@custardlover .

Do you have room/would you be prepared to have a lodger to ease your financial situation? Would that help you at all or would that cause more problems?

wise words! just wanted to add, I personally believe we should be aiming for "contentment" not "happiness" on the basis that contentment is a long term thing and happiness is a fleeting emotion, a bit like anger .

Always compare downwards, if you must. Not upwards.

It doesn't actually make me feel better to think I should be happy because I don't live in a war zone. It makes me feel guilty for being so unhappy.

Why? What do you believe is wrong with you that you cannot ever find any positivity in the world?

You say you’ve tried all the treatments going…….you’ve tried all the antidepressants out there? Lifestyle changes? Practicing gratitude? CBT or other therapies? ALL of the treatments?

What do you like doing? prioritise doing more of it. Everything can’t be perfect but you should have time to do a few things a week that you really look forward to. If you have depression life style changes will only do so much but then life itself isn’t the problem.

My old dad was moaning about his health 10 years ago.
Now he has more to moan about.
He'd be so relieved if his health now was as good as it was 10 years ago.
Instead, he spent 10 years moaning.

A glass-half full person here.

I don't think I'm well enough to have a lodger. It would just make me feel anxious that the house wasn't clean enough or I was making too much noise etc. And when people ask me to do things I tend to do them whether I want to or not to avoid being rude or upsetting people so I don't think it would be good for me

What special talent do you bring to the world among the other 8 billion people that sets you apart and makes you think you should not work to earn a living?

What exactly are you looking for OP? What do think you deserve that you are not getting and who do you expect to give it to you?

I do work you numpty!

Just that I get to keep most of the money I earn for myself, as opposed to handing over to others.

Because I've been unhappy since I can remember. My head is a very difficult place to be. I've tried 10 different anti depressants and seven types of therapy. I've done all the lifestyle changes including diet exercise sleep supplements.

A semi average holiday is better than none!

@PostItInABook to answer what I think is wrong with me, I think there's something wrong with my brain that can't be cured, not long term anyway.

I don't understand posts like this: I mean, I understand depression but I don't see why you can't see that not everyone is prone to it. Depression is an illness which is not really about life circumstances. With that said, life is to an extent what you make it. I avoid misery by avoiding the news except sporadically, by keeping fit and healthy, by my hobbies, by staying off social media, and by staying away from alcohol and other bad substances. These things are not necessarily easy to do, but they are worthwhile. Some of the complaining posts that I see on here and elsewhere seem a little bit 'We've tried nothing and we're all out of ideas'.

You don't know anything about me or my problems. Comment reported.

Well, I posted before I realised you were so unwell. Depression is a serious illness. I hope things get better for you.

Op just hugs. I hope someone or something makes you smile very soon x

Why did you report that valid comment? It won't be removed it didn't in anyway break talk guidelines

Perhaps you need a new job. Rethink your career OP.

Not everyone feels the same as you. I work for a small, ethical, professional company. My boss is lovely, and supportive. My colleagues are nice. Yes, we work hard but we see the benefit from it. And I chose to do something I don't find boring or depressing.

Yes, this year has been tight, no foreign holiday last year, but I like where I live, and spending time at home with my ds is something I cherish. Life is good. I have the sense to recognise it.

How's it valid when that person knows nothing about me? Saying "get a grip" to someone who is unwell and really struggling is horrible.