I Am Depressed And No One Cares

What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline

SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

Also visit the online treatment locator.

How Is Depression Diagnosed

To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad.

If you think you may have depression, talk to your health care provider. Primary care providers routinely diagnose and treat depression and refer individuals to mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.

During the visit, your provider may ask when your symptoms began, how long they last, how often they occur, and if they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities. It may help to make some notes about your symptoms before your visit. Certain medications and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same depression symptoms. Your provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests.

Read NIMHs Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider to help prepare for and get the most out of your visit. For additional resources, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website.

Supporting Someone Else Who Is Feeling Sad

Maybe you know someone else who is feeling sad. Being supportive isn’t always easy, because its sometimes hard to know why someone is sad and how they are coping.

Here are four basic tips:

For more ideas about how to support someone who is sad, read the tips from beyondblue.

Read Also: Can You Overcome Depression Without Medication

What To Do What To Do

Ive posted another entry about how creatives heal from walking depression, and here are the highlights:

• Rest.
• Develop a meaning practice.
• Change your life.

These steps are simple to say, not easy to do, so make sure you get as much support as you can.

Important: If you are in dire straits, please contact your doctor or visit the International Suicide Prevention Wiki to find a hotline near you.

Complementary And Alternative Therapies

Many complementary medicines and alternative therapies are promoted for coping with depression. Some have been tested in scientific clinical trials, but many have not. Here is an overview of some of the most common therapies:

Physical Exercise: Exercise has been found to reduce the effects of depression. Walking three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes has been linked to reducing or alleviating symptoms of depression. If that seems like a lot of time you donât have, then start with 15 minutes once a week. The important message is to get started with a regular exercise activity.

It is unknown whether physical activity prevents the onset of depression or just helps modify the effects. Arranging time for exercise is sometimes difficult for caregivers. It is often seen as a âvalue addedâ activityâsomething to do when everything else is done. You might consider adding it to your âto doâ list, asking a friend to give you a âwalk dateâ each week as a gift, or requesting that your doctor write a prescription for walking or joining an exercise class. All the research shows that for a healthier life, it makes good sense to make time for exercise.

Mind-Body Techniques: There is a growing body of research showing that our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings can have a direct impact on our health, and our physical health can impact our mental state. Your mind and body are interrelated. Implementing mind-body techniques into your routine may help alleviate depression.

Read Also: Mixing Depressants With Alcohol Can Cause

Most People With Depression Need Treatment To Feel Better

If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your health care provider. This could be your primary doctor or a health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions . Certain medications, and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression. A health care provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests. Your health care provider will examine you and talk to you about treatment options and next steps.

Talking to Your Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health

Communicating well with your health care provider can improve your care and help you both make good choices about your health. Read about tips to help prepare and get the most out of your visit. For additional resources, including questions to ask your health care provider, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Powerful Daily Affirmations For Enjoying Your Own Company And Combatting Loneliness

Finally, if youre feeling lonely or lost, try affirmations for loneliness:

• I am at peace when Im on my own.
• I can appreciate myself for everything that I am.
• Only I am responsible for my happiness.
• I am learning to love myself and my own company.
• I will trust my intuition.
• Being alone is rejuvenating me.
• I am finding myself by being on my own.
• I am creative, happy, and at peace when I am on my own.
• We all learn new things about ourselves every day.
• I will take the time to truly understand myself.

Recommended Reading: Mild Depression Vs Severe Depression

What Loved Ones Can Do

Loved ones can gently hold and show love and commitment to the depressed person, try not to take on the persons reality, but also not argue with him or her about it. They can also gently remind the person that depression causes his or her perspective on everything to change, and he or she is unable to think outside of depression mode at the moment. It is a time for the person to avoid making decisions, or avoid doing anything significant that requires a nondepressed perspective. If this is a repeated experience for this person, it can be helpful to discuss all of this between episodes so he or she is more prepared when caught in the quicksand.

As someone who loves a person with depression, it can be emotionally difficult or stressful at times to support that person. It can be beneficial to focus on your own needs and self-care, and to reach out for help if you need it such as seeking the support of a counselor or therapist.

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.

Your Perception Is Wrong

Our beliefs create our world. The way that we perceivean event or experience is much more important than what actually happened. Changing our perspective can turn challenges into opportunities, failure into learning moments and a negative past into a positive future. It can also change anxiety into gratitude, fear into accomplishment and loneliness into abundance. Its likely that lots of people care about you. You just need tochange your perspective, reach out and let them know you need them.

Read Also: How Do I Support Someone With Depression

Depression And Suicide Risk

Depression usually does not lead to suicide ideation. But, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, studies have shown that about two percent of people who have been treated for depression in an outpatient setting will die by suicide. If the treatment is inpatient, the number doubles to four percent. Men are more likely to die by suicide after depression than women. Find hotlines and organizations for support in our emergency mental health resources directory.

What To Remember When You Feel Like No One Cares

Heres how to get through a season of feeling lost, unwanted, and like no one cares about you. Believe me you are not alone! Every human being, no matter how loved or happy they seem to be on the outside, at some point feels like nobody cares. Some of us hide and bury our feelings because of embarrassment or shame. Others the wiser, more experienced folks know that this, too, shall pass. They also question their thoughts.

Read the comments section at the end of this article and youll see that you are not alone. If it doesnt help to learn that you arent the only one who needs help coping with feeling unloved and unwanted, try questioning your thoughts. This is my favorite way to handle any problem I face! Byron Katie taught me how to question what I think and believe. When I test my thoughts, even painful ones such as no one cares about me, I discover the truth. The truth is that somebody does care about me. The truth is that even if I reached out to strangers for help, I would find someone who cares.

It is not true that no one cares about me. It is not true that I am all alone. And if its not true for me, its not true for you, either. You have fallen into the trap of believing what you think. The problem with believing what you think such as the thought that youre alone in this world and nobody gives a toss is that it is not true.

Also Check: Why Do I Feel So Depressed In The Morning

Learn To Enjoy Your Own Company

Sometimes, you might trick yourself into feeling lonely because youve internalized the message that you can only be happy if youre with others. This isnt true theres a lot of worth to enjoying your own company.

Experiment with ways of having a good time alone. Take a walk in nature , create something, exercise, plan a day trip or treat yourself to your favorite meal. You may be surprised by how much better you feel.

Harness Your Emotions For Good

Use your anger with the other person to your benefit. Instead of turning your anger inward and beating yourself up for your failings, channel this anger into doing something positive.

Go out and get some exercise break a few pieces of ceramic tile and construct a beautiful mosaic or give your house a thorough cleaning. Find something physical to do that will release your pent-up feelings. You’ll have an outlet for your anger and do something good for yourself at the same time.

You May Like: Major Depressive Disorder Disability Rating

Disconnect From Social Media

As noted above, social media breeds loneliness by giving you false perceptions. Instead of scrolling through images of everyones best selves and happiest times, take a step back from your online life for a while.

Choose to only look at social networks once a day, or perhaps not at all for a month.

See if this makes any difference to your loneliness, and ask yourself what you can learn from this.

Whats The Difference Between Normal Grief After A Loss And Mdd

When you experience a loss of someone close to you, its normal to grieve and feel down and empty for a period of several weeks or more, but it should get better, says Dr. Murrough. If youre starting to feel worse instead of better as time goes on, thats a red flag. Perhaps, more critically, a typical grief reaction isnt: My life is not worth living anymore. Consider seeking treatment if you or someone experiences this.

Don’t Miss: Why Is It Hard To Shower When Depressed

Your Relationship Has Lost Passion

Many of us depend on our partners to ease feelings weve put on repeat, like no one cares about me. When we feel a loved one has grown distant and no longer cares, it can be especially destructive. There are lots ofstressors in relationships however that have nothing to do with how much they care about you the reason could be money, stress at work or aloss of the polarity you felt when you first met. Get to the root cause to restore the feelings of support and love.

How To Cope When You Think No One Cares About You

This article was co-authored by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist, Author, and TV/radio host based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli is currently in private practice and specializes in individual and couples’ relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. Kelli also facilitates groups for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction as well as anger management groups. As an author, she received a Next Generation Indie Book Award for her book “Thriving with ADHD: A Workbook for Kids” and also wrote “Professor Kelli’s Guide to Finding a Husband”. Kelli was a host on LA Talk Radio, a relationship expert for The Examiner, and speaks globally. You can also see her work on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kellibmiller, Instagram @kellimillertherapy, and her website: www.kellimillertherapy.com. She received her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,438,722 times.

Sometimes, it’s easy to feel that nobody cares about you. Even the most popular and famous people have doubts about whether or not people close to them actually care. Learn how to overcome these moments of doubt, and value yourself for who you are. If you often feel worthless or unloved, take steps to improve your life.

Recommended Reading: Emory Treatment Resistant Depression Clinic

Lonely Depressed Worthless No One Cares

Know The Warning Signs Of Suicide

The risk of suicide is high in those living with depression. No matter what you say or what you do to help your friend, they may still experience suicidal thoughts and feelings. Make sure to be on the lookout for warning signs of suicide and know when to seek help.

Some signs to watch for include:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Expressing that they feel like a burden to others
• Feelings of extreme hopelessness and sadness
• Withdrawing from friends and loved ones
• Sudden mood swings
• Giving away possessions or making a will
• Making ambiguous statements about not being around in the future
• Open discussions about suicide or having a suicide plan
• Previous suicide attempts

If you spot warning signs of suicide, you should talk to your loved one and ask them to speak with a mental health professional. When there is an immediate risk, you should remove dangerous items from the home, make sure you don’t leave them alone, and get help from a medical professional immediately.

If you or someone you love are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

Recommended Reading: Lack Of Sleep Causes Depression

How Can I Help A Loved One Who Is Depressed

If someone you know has depression, help them see a health care provider or mental health professional. You also can:

• Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
• Invite them out for walks, outings, and other activities.
• Help them stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take prescribed medications.
• Make sure they have transportation to therapy appointments.
• Remind them that, with time and treatment, the depression will lift.

Take comments about suicide seriously, and report them to your loved ones health care provider or therapist. If they are in immediate distress or thinking about hurting themselves, call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.