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ASilentObserver profile picture
Weekly Prompt #41: How do you perceive your own resilience and ability to cope with challenges?
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 January 22nd
...See more Hello all, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week. A few weeks ago we discussed: How does your depression affect your ability to care about and take care of others? [https://www.7cups.com/forum/depression/General_2427/WeeklyPrompt40Howdoesyourdepressionaffectyourabilitytocareaboutandtakecareofothers_336335/] Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts and questions for discussion. They were thought-provoking questions and thoughts. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/depression/General_2427/WeeklyPrompt40Howdoesyourdepressionaffectyourabilitytocareaboutandtakecareofothers_336335/] and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you This week's prompt: How do you perceive your resilience and ability to cope with challenges? To perceive your resilience and ability to cope with challenges, you can reflect on your past experiences, identify your strengths, ways to embrace a positive mindset etc. Let's get started and share your thoughts with us. I look forward to hearing all your thoughts and ideas.  Join us in the 24/7 Depression Support Group Chat [https://www.7cups.com/connect/groupChatrooms.php]
EmmaE profile picture
Your Poem...
by EmmaE
Last post
 January 13th
...See more Hi everyone, I came across this poem prompt and thought I'd share it here if anyone would like to try! ------------------------- My Poem (Title) My name is (name). Today I feel like a/an (adjective) (noun) (verb)ing in the (noun). Sometimes I am a/an (noun) Sometimes I am a/an (noun) But always I am (adjective). I ask the world, "(question)?" And the answer is a/an (repeat your words from line 2). ------------------------- If you’d like to join the depression support team, please check out THIS POST [https://www.7cups.com/forum/7CupsLeadership_188/SubcommunityHelpWanted_2306/HelpWantedDepressionSupport2023_295219/] for more information. To join our tag list and receive notifications, click HERE [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DepressionSupportCommunity_52/DepressionSupportLeadershipTeam_404/NEWautomateddepressionsupporttaglist_274831/].
LoveMyMoonflowers profile picture
You can keep going 💙
by LoveMyMoonflowers
Last post
 November 22nd, 2024
...See more Hey everyone (: I hope your all doing okie 💙 and if your not (': we *do* care about you and we would really love to be there for you whenever you need us. 💜 I really hope you know that you don’t have to do this alone, buddy.  i don’t know what your going through right now, exactly. i don’t know how you feel (': but i’d like to remind you that it *is* okay to *feel* 💙 and it’s okay to take your time when figuring things out. it may be hard to explain how your feeling as well and i get that. 💜 (it’s important to take some time for yourself also 🥰 please do try being kind to yourself 🥺)  and some days… it just feels like too much, doesn’t it? we feel like we can’t take it anymore, we can’t go on anymore. Things just get too overwhelming, life just gets too hard… and hope seems like a distant dream. i know i’ve felt this way many times (': i think many of you might be able to relate 💙 but honestly, i need to remind you that there *is* hope, and you really can keep going. your never ever alone 💜 and you’ve never been truly alone.  And even though you might have never seen it, you are strong. stronger than you think you are. You’ve come *this* far and I am so so proud of you. i know it hasn’t been easy. i’m so proud of you. 💙 i’m sending so so so much love your way 💜 you deserve it, you really do 🥺 we love you, we care about you *always* and yes, there *is* hope for you. 💙 i promise.  🌙 Ni 🌸 @HealingTalk 
Bostonyourmyhome profile picture
A note to myself
by Bostonyourmyhome
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more Below is a item I wrote to myself.  I recently read it and it helped make me feel better.  Please don’t believe everything you tell yourself when you are depressed! It’s not true!   Hey How are you doing? Listen, I know how you are feeling and I’m sorry you are going through this again.  The darkness can be so suffocating and Scarey and makes living really hard.  I wish I could make it stop instantly and help you feel safe inmediately.   But, let me tell ya something, I know you will get through this.  I know you will be okay.  Trust me.   Since I know you are in a dark place right now, please listen closely.  You are worth it man.  You have come a long way. You have so much to be thankful for.  Yes, I get it.  It’s hard to see right now so let me tell you what you already know but can’t currently see.  You have a beautiful family.   You married the greatest woman possible. Yup, you got very lucky and who knows why she picked you or how and why you were worthy of her but you are together.  And now, you have 5 beautiful, healthy, talented and smart children.  Did you ever envision that when you were younger?  I’m not done so keep listening….You also have two great families that can help you when you need it.  Make sure you let them know when you need help.  I know it’s embarrassing when you feel like a failure but just telling someone how you are feeling will help.  Don’t keep it locked up inside.  That doesn’t help; ever.  Ok, let’s get to what’s bothering you the most, the company.  Keep in mind your company has had good years.  This was a tough one and things happened that you did not see coming.  You don’t want to be in the situation you are in but it happened.  Just continue to do the next right thing, every day.  You are smart enough to know what that means. It could be easy or difficult decisions but you know what needs to be done, what is right for the business, what is right for everyone.  Would you really change your past if you could?  I think it’s easy to look at all the awful *** things that have happened and say I wish that did not happen to me, why did that have to happen to me?  But that’s not how you learn.  You never were much of a planner, more of wanderer and let’s face it, depression has slowed you down.  But it doesn’t need to be that way.  You have learned how to work at staying mentally and physically strong. You have ways to fight depression.  Don’t skip exercising, ever. Just don’t.  Be grateful your legs, heart and lungs are strong and workout as much as possible.  For you, excercise gives that relief your brain needs.  I know that first 10 seconds of starting a workout sucks but the after effects, the rush of seratonin and dopamine well outweigh how hard it is to start the workout.  It outweighs depression man.  Promise me you wont ever stop working out.  Now, I know you like listening to as many mental health experts as possible but at some point you need to start doing what it is they are telling you to do.  I think praticing mindfulness could help you. Just *** try every day for 6 months and see if it helps.   Just try, please, for me.   Keep it simple.  Do the breathing exercise first then add something else once you can do that for 10 minutes at a time.  Pay your bills when you can but only when you can.  Otherwise, focus on the next right thing. I know you hate to hear this but you have wasted so much time on negativity and rumination and it’s *** doing nothing. It does not solve anything.  If it did, trust me, you would have zero mental problems.  You have put the time in thinking about your problems, over and over and over again and it got you knowhere.   Create a plan, excercise and take action every day as if your life depends on it.  The alternative is to end up with a mind invested with negativity which leads to anxiety and then depression.  You don’t want that!  Go gentle on yourself right now especially.  I know it will be hard to do so but you must try.  Keep your routines as best you can.  Keep getting things done.  You’re in a fragile state so please go easy on yourself.   *** the worry, embrace hope and think positive.   See a future you want to have and be honest with what you want.  Know what truly matters.  Then protect that with everything you have!  I’ll say it again, don’t ruminate.  If there is a cure for rumination, it’s  action. Stay in the action lane, not the rumination one.  Think about what worrying does, how it makes you feel.  It’s all bad feelings!  Think of positive outcomes.  Be deliberate with it, say positive things, do positive things.   You know I’m right and ai’m not full of ***!  Lastly, learn to love yourself more. I think it mostly starts with that.  Find the happy, find the peace.  Love you forever!
StayStrongNeverLoseHope profile picture
Struggling with depression?
by StayStrongNeverLoseHope
Last post
 February 9th
...See more Have you ever struggled with depression or are you currently struggling with depression? This might be worth a read..  Whatever you're going through, you're not alone! 🥰 Depression is hard, depression is scary. You feel alone, you feel like a burden. Nothing makes sense, your head is telling you one thing, your heart is telling you another. You're scared, alone, in pain. You stop loving the things you loved before. Everything is so dark and becomes so distant and you're whole body aches. Just get over it they say, but we know that it's just not that easy. Too many lonely dark nights you have cried, put on a smile and carried on with your day like nothing ever happened. You tried your best, you really did try. You feel unwanted, you feel like a failure, you don't know who to turn to, at this point you're almost giving up completely...but then suddenly happy memories come rushing back to you, you're sitting on a pretty beach surrounded by blue skies, the hot sun and warm sand is touching your skin.. you're sat there and you're surrounded by those who love you, they're right there giving you a hug and telling you that everything will be okay, and just in that moment you realise that you were stronger than what your mind and your dark thoughts were making you believe.. Don't ever give up, please. People do care, people will listen! A lot of us go through extremely tough times that may make us believe and think horrible things, but you will get there eventually, with the right support and right mindset you will get through it! No matter how long it takes, small steps are always better than no steps. Stay strong, always.
SaturnsOwn profile picture
Done.
by SaturnsOwn
Last post
 January 12th
...See more I am hurting so bad every day. No I haven't every considered any kind of harm to myself and I don't think I would. Not sure I have a good answer for why it is just not ever something I would even look at. I have reached a point that the people I talk to either don't understand or dismiss myself hirt because it is all I see and they don't see a way to talk to me really anymore because I don't see any light. Not sure how to see a glimmer. I feel so broken...so lonely... I realized that I am not sure I ever have believed that I will find love. I don't believe in hope and honestly hate the idea of it. At this point any have hope, it just takes time message might as well be salt in a very deep wound. I struggle every day to change to see better and different and all that means is I wake up in agony, struggling alone with self acceptance I don't think I will ever find...thinking if I saw one person that would look me in the eye and say you matter to me my whole life would change and I do not believe that will ever come, and that is something I have to force a smile and move on. 7Cups has been the one place I feel like I can be and slowly that has gotten harder and harder there are places of the site I don't feel I can be....but I have always been able to go and talk to listeners. Just reached my end there. I see no reason to go back. I see no place to be nothing but hurt and hatred. I know I need help. I am begging for it and people would rather run than show two seconds of care I am at an end.
powerfulSkies3388 profile picture
PTSD an survival how do I do it just want to move on.
by powerfulSkies3388
Last post
 December 16th, 2024
...See more For four years I stayed around I dealt with so much abuse things I can’t get out my mind things that make it hard for me to watch certain movies, hear certain sounds. A door shut makes me jump loud voices an screams scare me an a simple hand shake makes me jump he was charged with multiple charges yet he only received 15 months an hear I am feeling like he’ll get to come home an live life be happy an move on but I’m here damaged in this dark place changed forever an constantly having flash backs that lead me into crying an panicking an I just want to be normal I’ve dealt with enough trauma an he just added to it only this time I’m completely broken.
Alexistexaass02 profile picture
Big girls
by Alexistexaass02
Last post
 November 10th, 2024
...See more My self esteem is low it’s at a -20 I know I’m probably being dramatic right but I dislike being the “fat” friend because, I always see my friends get guys this still hurts my feelings even though it happened weeks ago I can’t remember if it was the day before or after Christmas but I saw this really cute guy and me my coworker were talking about him and few moments later he ended up flirting w her fast ford to the next day he comes in and brings her flowers and wanting to buy her breakfast at that moment I never in my life wanted to cry so hard and in front of everyone I was proud of myself at that moment because I held it together until I got into the bathroom that knocked it from a -20 to a -100 I never felt so ugly in my life until that moment whenever I work w her all the guys want her “help” instead of mine I’m not trying to make it all about me or seem jealous because I’m not but it’s like if you need help I’m more then welcome to help but if u wanted to conversant w her that’s cool by all means go ahead but don’t make it seem like u need help when u really don’t if that makes sense
jesuslovesyouxoxo profile picture
cycle to note
by jesuslovesyouxoxo
Last post
 November 7th, 2024
...See more
indigoHouse922 profile picture
Confused
by indigoHouse922
Last post
 September 27th, 2024
...See more Hi, I'm 14 years old, and I'm confused about my life, I think it has been difficult. My whole life, other people made fun of me, because I was slightly overweight, my bully in 5th grade- 8th grade, said a lot of rude things to me. He threw some punches, a few slaps, the worst he did was hit my head on a table, it bled and left a tiny scar, a red eye, hit me with an Iphone charger, my hand was bruised and had a nasty mark on it, honestly, he called me so many rude things, said I wasn't even good enough to eat a dogs poop. My life at home was ok, I knew my parents loved me, but we just grew distant, all they cared about was my grades, education and health. I know that's enough, but we just didn't have a relationship aside from that. A artist called kid cudi came into my life, I listened to him after I got bullied. I understood it. I was addicted to porn and the internet, because I was always forced to study at home and my bully made me scared and I didn't want to be hit. I felt all kinds of feelings after listening to cudi, I thought the bad things about me, made me the person I am. I thought it was the only thing that made me special. I took a depression test, I was depressed, but mostly from symptoms of porn addiction, and feeling sad after getting bullied. I forced myself to think of ending things, I realized that I should have never existed and I can't escape. Also, I was trapped in a cycle, get bad grades, watch porn, get bullied. My intelligence was the only thing special about me, without that I'm nothing. Whenever I get bad grades, I feel terrible about how I'm so stupid, why I cant get basic things right. SO the question I have, is am I depressed, or is just porn addiction symptoms and feeling sad. I barely have to energy to change for the better.
ASilentObserver profile picture
Weekly Prompt #39: How has depression changed your perspective on life?
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 September 16th, 2024
...See more Hello all, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week. A couple of weeks ago we discussed:  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/depression/General_2427/WeeklyPrompt37Whatchallengesareyoufacingthatyouneedhelpwith_329560/]Imagine a perfect day where you feel neither lonely nor depressed. Describe what that day would look like. [https://www.7cups.com/forum/depression/General_2427/WeeklyPrompt38ImagineaperfectdaywhereyoufeelneitherlonelynordepressedDescribewhatthatdaywouldlooklike_330702/] Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts and questions for discussion. They were thought-provoking questions and thoughts. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you [https://www.7cups.com/forum/depression/General_2427/WeeklyPrompt38ImagineaperfectdaywhereyoufeelneitherlonelynordepressedDescribewhatthatdaywouldlooklike_330702/] This week's prompt: How has depression changed your perspective on life? Let's get started and share your thoughts with us. I look forward to hearing all your thoughts and ideas.    Note: I invite all to help me with creating these weekly prompt discussions so that we all can come together and discuss something related to depression every week. If you any interested in helping me out, please share your interest through this form and  I will reach out to you to guide and support you in creating the next discussion.  [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefjDBwy85YFxWpfrqrdXbdMORBC-pvJA4xhd10R9lMq66fIw/viewform] Join us in the 24/7 Depression Support Group Chat [https://www.7cups.com/connect/groupChatrooms.php]
indigoHouse922 profile picture
Honest
by indigoHouse922
Last post
 September 6th, 2024
...See more Man, my whole life everyone else had control over my life but me. I don't want to get into details, but that's what made me try to find real happiness in video games and tv, but when that didn't work, it came down to porn. I didn't realize it at the time and hated admitting this, but a guy came into my life called Kid Cudi. He made me realize how this affected my family and myself. Sadly, my whole life I felt alone, I couldn't talk to my parents because they were very harsh, I cant even talk to my dad, because he doesn't really like the guy who I am, he just is forced to like me because I'm his son. I tried to be better, I couldn't I tried again, I couldn't. I realized that, 2 things hold me back, I cant change, 2 this music is the only thing that make me feel like I'm a part of something. I'm not lonely, I finally feel loved in this music. Either way I feel my life will be in flames.
indigoHouse922 profile picture
Confused, and needs help
by indigoHouse922
Last post
 August 18th, 2024
...See more Hi, I'm 14 and I realized I have so many issues. My parents yell and hit me a lot, but I can't lie they are not evil, they care about me in their own weird way, they showed attention and love. I'm distant with them, and don't tell them much. I make a few jokes, but it's hard to talk to them. I'm in a weird position and I need help, they don't want to accept that. They can't stand it when I make a single mistake. Anyway, my parents always made me work a lot and hit me a lot when I made mistakes. This made me resort to find ways to have fun. When I got my first computer I became addicted with video games because I could just have fun. Eventually, it turned to internet addiction and soon after porn addiction. I realized I need help, as previously I have thought the world has been a better place without me. When I discovered an artist called Kid Cudi, I discovered I had so many problems and I needed help.  At the same time I felt like someone, I don't know why I wanted that attention. I felt dumb, stupid my grades deteriorated. I had no energy to study or do anything unless I was forced too, then I could do it and I could enjoy it. Everyday I'm disgusted with myself for brief moments, I don't like being myself. I have so many issues with myself that I hate. Sometimes they are genuine thoughts, sometimes I force myself to think of these things out of boredom and wanting to feel like someone. I'm trapped in a cycle, get bad grades, because of addiction, get no help, get yelled and hit. I can't escape because first of all I can't survive without porn for 3 days, I can't survive without scrolling. I'm stuck in a cycle that I can't escape, but it's ok that's how I want it. I at least feel like someone. I know I need help desperately, but I can't bring myself to ask for it. Sometimes, I think the world is better without me. These things don't bother me, I've felt it all, being hit, told I was stupid, so many times. I just sit there and laugh. Am I an attention seeker who is pathetic or is there more to it? Do I really have depression or is it made up? Is it not addiction or just lack of self control? Will I be stuck in this cycle forever and will it drive me to insanity. At night sometimes I can't sleep because these thoughts keep me up when I am disgusted with myself. I can have fun and feel ok, but I know I'm trapped in a cycle every day, even though I feel ok, I'm not ok. I have so many questions that need to be answered.  I realize it's a lot but please help
indigoHouse922 profile picture
Help me please
by indigoHouse922
Last post
 August 17th, 2024
...See more My old post was too long, no one responded, in summary, My parents beat me a lot when I was a kid. I'm 14 now, because of that, I became addicted to anything that gave me pleasure, including porn, food and the internet. 2 years ago, I was stuck in a cycle and got beaten up badly. Didn't think much of it, because I wasn't mature, but it was a cycle of anything that gives pleasure, get bad grades then get hit. Tried relating to an artist called kid cudi, realized I have so many problems that I don't know how to get through, every day seems further away from my goals and I see a hopeless future, I feel like I have no purpose, and sometimes I want to you know. I never choose to do it and will never. I need help, but can't get it, my parents think what I'm going through is fake. I take pride in this because it makes me feel like someone, because everyone sees me as the fat loser, but now I feel like someone. I want to change at the same time I don't, I don't know whether my issues are fake or real.
indigoHouse922 profile picture
My story so far
by indigoHouse922
Last post
 August 16th, 2024
...See more Hi, I'm not comfortable sharing my age, but I really want to tell my story. I need help right now, honestly my childhood was weird, my parents were strict and hit me pretty badly when I was younger, always kind of overreacted and did many more. In there eyes, it was out of love, but I could never really spend time with them, nor did I want to but I had some good moments. Because they hit me a lot I turned to anything that gave me pleasure, such as food, internet and video games. This helped relieve a lot, and honestly I wasn't taught that mental health was real. I got bad grades, I was forgetful and I got beaten even more, and it was a cycle, waste time, have fun watching what you want and then get beaten, feel like a loser and be good at nothing. Some days I thought the world was better without me. I was confused at what I was good at, and I honestly wanted to feel like someone. Things got a little better, but not much, I was nervous and worried many times in a week. Eventually, I discovered pornography, became addicted and even though I could have fun with my friends, and be happy, it all goes away when I got beat and I was the only one to blame. I don't break down a lot, sometimes I do, like last week I only saw myself living in a future where I was a nobody, a loser and never accomplished my goals. I thought I should have died, and committed suicide. I discovered kid cudi recently, an artist who speak about mental health. Everyone said they could relate and I tried. I uncovered lots of feelings like, how I have let myself, my family down. How even though I don't think about it, everyday does seem further and further away from my goals. I feel the world is better without me, that doesn't really overwhelm me. My anxiety attacks do, sometimes. I realized I have so many problems, I don't have the answers too, at some point they would eat me up. I see a depressing future for myself. Sadly, I force myself to think these things because I felt like someone, kid cudi made me feel like I was someone even though I have nothing about me special currently. Even though I'm happy in the moment, once it escapes, I realize it's a cycle in which I get beaten up, feel happy, and go back. I'm not really happy living like that. But, it makes me feel like someone. I don't know if I have demons, or depression. But I have issues, and I force myself to think of these things because they make me feel like someone, but they are real problems. I try to be more real with myself. I feel the only thing that can help is a depression diagnoses, to feel complete. I want help and a better future so badly, I'm not getting it at this pace. I need help, and I'm obsessed with one question, do I have depression?

We hope that you can find some respite here from what you're going through. We all help each other through the darkness. Welcome, friends, to the Depression Support Community at 7 Cups. We're so happy you're here <3

Click the "join" button above to stay up to date with the community's activities! We'd love to have you as a friend!

Adults & Teens: Join us in the Depression Support Room every Tuesday! The room is open for 24 hours. 

💗 New to the Depression Support Community? We want to get to know you! Introduce yourself here! And here's a welcome guide for you!

💗 Join us in our daily check-ins here and join the taglist here!

💗 Are you interested in joining the Depression Support team? Learn more and apply here!

Community Guidelines

Be gentle to yourself, you're doing the best you can. Remember that your feelings are your own, and no one can tell you that they are not valid.

Be gentle with others, because you don't know what they're going through.

Read the 7 Cups Guidelines
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Community Resources

(all colourful text is clickable)

- 9 Types of Depression and How To Recognize Them 

- You don't have to understand, you just have to be present by @MarianaFilipaSouza6

A beautiful testament to the nature of depression

- Rethink Mental Illness: Depression

Basic information and facts

- Resource Masterpost by @Sealiously

A plethora of amazing links

- Depression Self Help Guide

Discover some ways to help manage what you're going through

- Safety Plan

Here's a safety plan for those who are passively suicidal. Your life is important

- Resources to Help Manage Depression

A collection of helpful links for more information and support

- Depression Community Path

A path that helps guide you through dealing with depression on a day to day basis


(Think that more resources should be here? Send a message to @EmmaE)