How did you ever overcome depression and anxiety?

Depression is a feeling - all our feelings are created by our thoughts. So, if you think negative, self-defeating thoughts, you WILL feel negative and defeated. If you think positive, self-affirming thoughts, you feel positive. This is how feelings work, and it is the ONLY way they work.. This explains why someone who seems to 'have it all' can commit suicide - happiness doesn't come from having money, a fancy car, a big house, good looks, lots of friends, fame, success - happiness is a feeling that comes from thinking positive, self-affirming thoughts..

I know I am going on and on, but I want to make this totally clear - a billionaire MIGHT be happy, if he is thinking about all the freedom he has (thinking positive), or he could just as easily be miserable and depressed, if he is thinking about how expensive servants are, and how everyone wants his money, and how he doesn't know who his friends are anymore..

The good news is that what we think about every waking moment is a CHOICE! Negative thinking is a habit - habits can be changed. Negative thoughts are like little brats that want all your attention, but you do not have to give it to them!

step one - a negative thought comes to mind "My life sucks, I will never be happy"

step two - stop right there and reply "NO. I refuse to think this way. This way of thinking fixes nothing, changes nothing and is a total and complete waste of my time and energy, plus it creates negative feelings. I refuse to think this way!"

step three - CHANGE YOUR FOCUS to something positive "Negative feelings don't control me. I CONTROL ME! I decide how I will think. I choose what I will think about.. Like everyone else, I have problems, but by setting goals, thinking of solutions to my problems, I can change my life. I can do this!"

See how this works? First you shut down the negative thoughts, then you replace it with something positive and self-affirming, and finally, you think of solutions and set goals to fix whatever is wrong.

THINK MORE ABOUT THE BAD STUFF.. keeps you stuck in a problem.. working towards a goal, finding a solution moves you forward, gives you hope, renews your energy and enthusiasm for life.. try it.. every single little step you take towards overcoming a problem and reaching your goal will make you feel GOOD.

Lastly, be your own best friend - this means that you never beat yourself up, never insult yourself, or call yourself names.. for example, would you ever say to a good friend, "gee you are stupid!" No, you wouldn't.. you would try and build your friend up, give some good advice or a little pep talk.. this is how you must treat yourself at all times.. putting yourself down destroys self esteem and self confidence.. accept that we are all weak, flawed, foolish at times, that we all make mistakes, struggle etc.. and be KIND to yourself. Never let a problem or mistake bring you down - immediately get back up and start again.. The phrase "I can do this!" has gotten me through many hard days.. you want to be positive and encouraging.. you want to focus on goals and solutions, never on the problem itself. You want to ACT every day - take little steps towards reaching those goals and solutions, and you want to treat yourself well - this is how you achieve happiness and avoid depression.

Here's a really good exercise to get you thinking positive - honestly try this and you will be amazed at how it works! Each day, sit down with pen and paper (to slow the thought process down) and write for 15 straight minutes, all the good things in your life.. For example, from you post, I can tell that you have hands that work, you know how to type, you have access to a computer, you have a good grasp of the English language, you have good punctuation and grammar :-) As silly as this sounds, this exercise FORCES the brain to think positive, and after just a week or two at the most, you literally rewire the brain - you create a new way of thinking. Your brain will start to think positive, even when you are not doing the exercise.. you will start to notice random positive thoughts coming your way - gee, today is a beautiful day! etc..

Change your thoughts and you change your life.

Lastly, I want to say, there is a God and he is still in the business of answering prayers. He's not hiding, he is WAITING for you to ask for his help, and to ask him to be a part of your life.. I had debilitating depression for over 4 months and finally, I couldn't take it anymore.. I had tried counseling, self help books, meditation etc.. nothing helped, and it was only getting worse. Finally (sad to say), I cried out to God and asked him to help me. I have no reason to lie to you - in that moment, my depression went away and I was filled with peace and joy - even I couldn't believe it.. my depression has never returned. Give God a chance to show you what he can do.. all the positive thinking I mentioned above will help, but there are times when we just can't do it alone..

Clinical mental disorders like anxiety and depression can be treated but not cured.

A combination of medication and talk therapy help keep it under control.

I turned to God <3