Most people experience sadness, the blues, or temporary depression at some point in their lives due to circumstances or changes. A depressive episode, however, is when you experience those same feelings with no apparent reason, for an extended period of time.
Depression can be caused by genetics, trauma, stress, and some medications and illnesses. It can also affect anyone from young children to adults. In fact, over 15 million people in the United States struggle with depression every year. Still, it can be hard for those with depression to reach out for help. It can feel like no one understands, or that it is hopeless. The following videos can help those struggling with depression as well as their friends and loved ones. They give tips on what to say and not to say, and share the personal stories of those who have struggled with depression.
When a friend or loved one has depression, it can leave you feeling like you don’t know what to say or do to help them. From cleaning the clutter around them to cooking them a healthy meal, these are easy but impactful ways to let them know you care and are there for them.
In this video, host Dan discusses what anxiety and depression are and are not, how he discovered his triggers, and why he went through depression. He then shoots down 10 common myths with the intent of showing that depression is not unbeatable.
Fifty percent of all college students struggle with depression. And that covers only those people who report it. Among those, very few get help. Using simple animations, charts, and statistics, this video shows us how common it is in college. If you’re feeling depressed, talk to your friends, because chances are they may be feeling the same way.
For those seeking to understand what it feels like to go through depression, this haunting, mostly wordless video from Grace Chia highlights the hopelessness and aloneness that those with depression feel, even when others are trying to connect.
Depression affects men and women differently. Women tend to show the type of symptoms people think of as depression, like being overly emotional or sad. Men tend to get angrier or agitated. Knowing these differences can help you spot depression faster and get help to feel better.
People with depression don’t always show their struggle. Many people who look like they are living happy lives might really be covering up their depression. This is a strong reminder to pay attention to the people around us as we go through our daily routine.
In this unique spoken word performance, Taz pulls from her personal experience and shares her coping mechanisms, some of which she realizes are not coping mechanisms at all. She also discusses the stigma surrounding depression, and how stigma is sustaining the condition.
What’s the difference between depression and just feeling down? This video discusses how to tell the difference and what the different types of symptoms of depression are. It goes into the science of depression and the chemicals that are affected in someone with it.
Depression can make it difficult to stay in school and hold a job. In this TEDx Talk, Jessica Gimeno shares her personal struggle with depression, other diseases, and the strategies she uses to stay productive. This is a very inspirational video with a lot of helpful information for anyone that feels unproductive due to their depression.
Thousands of people have committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, and only 1 percent of them have survived. This is the story of one man who did. He describes what led him there, the thoughts that rushed through him as he fell, and his recovery since his miraculous survival. His message to those suffering with depression is: “It’s OK to not be OK. It’s not OK to not ask someone to back you up.”
People can be harsh on social media, sometimes more so than when in person. It can wear down a person’s confidence, and create or make anxiety and depression worse. Video blogger Rachel Anderson has struggled with both, and here is a very open and raw blog about how anonymous negativity can trigger depressive thoughts, no matter how equipped you think you are to deal with it.
This video uses an actual monster to depict how strong a presence depression can be in a person’s life. Whether you’re at work, a party, or just trying to get some alone time, depression can feel like an unavoidable intruder that is constantly interfering with your existence.
Actress Kristen Bell shares her personal struggle with depression and anxiety. A serotonin imbalance has been in her family for a number of generations. With the help of her mother, she learned to not feel shame for having this type of disease and using medication to manage it. She stresses that society needs to understand that mental illnesses are no different than other illnesses, and that they should not be shamed.
Depression is a liar, and the things that it tells you are just that — lies. Calum McSwiggan spells out the many terrible things that depression tells you: that you are worthless, that people are talking about you behind your back, and he explains just why they’re inaccurate. Most importantly he says that if you have depression, you are not alone. There are people out there who want to help and support you. Warning: This video has some strong language.
Filmmaker Katarzyna Napiórkowska offers an in-depth look at what depression feels like, explaining why people with depression push others away, and why they stop trying. She explains how her comfort zone is a place “where no one asks any questions.” This video is an important one to watch if you have a friend, family member, or loved one with depression.
What should you say to a loved one who is depressed, and what shouldn’t you? Why? Clinical psychologist Julia Kristina walks you through the thought processes that some who has depression goes through when you say certain things to them, and why they might react in an unexpected way.
This 40-minute documentary features interviews with many people battling depression. They explain how the condition makes them feel, showcasing how depression affects each person a little differently. They then share how they each found and put to use their own unique coping mechanisms, which could prove helpful if you are dealing with depression yourself or know someone who is.
Sometimes we say things that we think sound encouraging or helpful, but really have the opposite effect. Depressed people can’t just stop “being sad.” If they could, they would. This short video from AJ+ is filled with great information that can help you say what someone with depression will find helpful, comforting, or able to act on in a positive way.
Anxiety is an invisible illness. However, “Sometimes the most painful demons are the ones that you can’t even see.” People with anxiety tend to look like they are fine, but the reality is that they are not. With powerful visuals, pacing, and music, Meghan Rienks gives us a look into what having anxiety is like. Warning: This video has some strong language.
This video is an entertaining yet serious look at the physical effects of depression. By understanding why you feel depressed, you will be able to better accept that it is OK to feel that way. It also educates on why you can’t just “snap out of it” and why sometimes medication is necessary to balance the chemicals in your brain. It also gives some practical tips to help when you are having a depressive episode.
Colette Stearns was a high school student who struggled with depression. Because teens tend to struggle in silence and hide their depression due to the stigma surrounding it, here she discusses the various symptoms of depression, how to tell the difference between normal mood swings and depression, and why it is important to be open about it.