Never been into depression. Yeah, I'm one of them lucky bastards. But it seems every single friend I've had has says 'Ooo I'm depressed, I'm going to cut myself'. ONE of those friends actually did. The other ten or so were attention seeking, and they've admitted that. Attention seeking angers me because it creates this 'taboo' that Emma mentioned and stops real people getting real help. Sorry... Just needed to get that off my chest
That well metaphor was fucking great, Emma, at describing depression. I also think of it as being trapped underwater in a dark lake/ocean and you can see the light faintly above you, but you're trapped beneath the surface and you can't breathe fresh air and rise above it because you're stuck in the sand and the mud.
A couple of years ago I moved into a new school. I suddenly developed something called separation anxiety. It made me absolutely terrified of leaving my parents which... made it really fucking hard to go to school. I remember feeling terrified and alone. This was when I fell into depression. I'm going to be completely straight here and say that youtube saved my life. It was around that time that I began watching the Yogscast. Having that piece of hilarity to return to every day made my life worth living. It might sound stupid but It's true. It gave me something to live for, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I feel the same way, only I was always picked on, the first person that someone would think to make fun of. No- one ever thought about my feelings. I started watching youtube (too much of it but anyway) and thought: Fuck those people! They think that just because something won't affect them, it won't affect someone who may not look it, but is extremely sensitive. I'm 11, and I stopped myself from falling into a 10 times deeper thanks to people like Emma. Thank you
I love how she points out she doesn't know are parents or situation with them because some parents can be the reason you are depressed and a lot of these videos or things they just say tell your parents and repeat that but that won't work for everyone
To be honest, my parents would just think I was trying to get out of something, or trying to get sympathy, even if my doctor has diagnosed me with pms. TBH my parents know that im depressed, but all they do is try to cheer me up, and my mother is pressuring me not to go on anti-depressents or anything to stop the pms becaus eapparently itll fuck me or something idk, and im literally dying on the inside every day and its getting worse
There's also a website called '7 cups of tea' if you prefer to write about your problems rather than talk. I have used that website before and it's really amazing.
i didnt like 7 cups so much bc i would go on there when i needed to rant and blow off steam but a friend found it and was really freaked out by my rather disturbing feed of rants. so like, its kinda public
My mum just says I have crappy attitude and everything about me is just selfishness she makes me cry everydY ._. And my conselleur doesn't know how serious I am about anything :/
This comes very late, but i just wanted to tell you that reading your comment made me happy and I'm proud of you for not cutting yourself, even if it might just be once. It's important for you to know that and even though i don't know you, i bet you are a beautifull, wonderful, amazing person and you deserve to be happy. I know you will meet the love of your life someday and you will find true friendship if you haven't already. Until then, hang in there, even if it is tough. You can do it! Be strong Emma! I have faith in you :)
emma, I know you'll probably never ever see this, but if you do ever start up this series again, could you maybe make an episode about anxiety? mine has been unbearable lately and I don't know why but this series genuinely makes me feel better
Also same, told someone and she was just like it's part of being a teenage, teenagers do feel depressed. I sure hope it's true because I don't want to feel like this for longer
You are wise beyond your years. A delight to watch and listen to. I think young people can relate to you so keep up making these sorts of videos. I'm sure you've already saved someone from doing irreversible damage. We'll done!!
The bit at the end where Emma kept saying to drop people if they don't support how you want to live your life touched me so much. I had to drop my best friend (of the past 7-8 years) because she started to think she was better than me and stopped caring and talking to me. That was so motivational to me
Depression is like drowning, while you see the people around you breathing. It's feeling like you're constantly dying and can't breathe, not having control, when you tell someone about your depression it feels like being choked. Depression is for me in this metaphor also that I'm constantly living and dying in the same time, not able to live and break through the water choking me, and not able to actually touch the bottom and die. I don't know if that made sense.. The thing is I've told people, friends and school nurse and my parents (kind of, the nurse did it for me and they know I'm low), and nothing has changed, and I feel it's worse that they know. I feel so sick about it.
I was depressed for about 6 years starting when I was 13. I was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and had just survived my second bout with it, and when it was over it left me with a host of problems. Depression, partial deafness, damaged sight, and a few other things. I even had survivor's guilt after finding out how many people had died from it, I felt like it was unfair, that so many people who could have done something great died when I, someone who had done nothing of note at all, lived. What was worse was that some people from my old school criticized me. When I got back to school after being in the hospital I was hated by a lot of people who said I was contagious and that I would get people sick despite the condition being a genetic one that wasn't contagious. Hell when I got back I even looked like a monster, my eyes were bloodshot for months and my lips were stained red from blood, I looked like a literal monster and it sucked. I was called the "little sick shit" the "fucker who's gonna infect us" and a few other things. All this culminated in me leaving school, partially due to my depression and ridicule and partially due to the chance of me getting sick and having to take medication (the cause of SJS). I finally went back to public school after two years but I was still depressed. Sure the ridicule stopped but I didn't feel any better. My life looked like it was closing, like everything I ever wanted was out of reach because of that damn disease. All that came to a head when a kid died at my school on the same day that a former friend had died, and both of those events pushed me over the edge. I became distraught and I only survived due to a friend. I managed to get better. Now that friend went and lied to me for the better part of 6 months and I started to fall in again. I'm keeping myself up because of my brothers help and a few of my friends. People are the only remedy I've found. To anyone with depression, there are others out there that know it's grip as well, and you can always count on them to help, stay strong and hold on.
To be clear I never cut nor did I take anti-depressants. I also never told my parents because I always felt that if I had it would cause them problems.
I think you are a really strong person and everything you've been going through has made you the way you are today. That's what I'm also thinking of myself and I understand others much more.. It helped me get REAL friends who also understood me. I'm going to a psychologist for the first time in my life, I learned that I have moderate depression, anxiety and now we're looking into ADD. In third grade when I was 8 years old, my very best friend left me.. I got really bad self esteem and got really shy which I never was before. My new ''friends'' talked behind my back and I was to shy to be with anyone else so I always did my best to try and fit in. I was also much thinner and smaller than other kids but I never put too much thought into it until I began fifth grade. It was so bad, I was not only ashamed because I was shy but also over the way I looked. I hated myself, everything was my fault and of course no one wanted to be with me when I looked like this. That's what I thought. I stayed home most of the time in between fifth to eight grade. I was still with one of the girls from before and another one. But I got both offended and was bullied by them. I only hade one real friend but she went to another school. I had a hard time with studying, tried to change friends but ended up being all alone until som teacher saw me and I had no other choice but to make up with my ''dear'' friends. I'm nineteen soon and I always thought that there must be something wrong with me.. I changed high school once because it got bad with friends again, I lost my dog and too much happened in one year. In the school I go to now, I actually have many friends and I talk a lot. I've realised that I'm not at fault, being bullied is not the victims fault. Mostly I was bullied because of my weight. Knowing that I've had depression for very long, panic disorder, anxiety and now ADD.. How come no one noticed any of this? Because I could've got help and maybe would'nt be having it so hard now. I can't remember what I learn, scared of the future etc. I almost cut myself for some weeks ago, I have never done that in my life and did also have suicidal thoughts. It's scary. I can't talk to my mum about this anymore because she does not understand me and she only gets tired of it. I only have my dad and my friends. I also have three younger teenage sisters, one who 'hates' me and two who doesn't understand. But it's a good thing that I'm not alone in this, no one is :) Keep on going and stay strong like you said! I'm not american so I hope I didn't write too much wrong... hehe :)
Felicia Strandberg You're very strong my friend, and thats an understatement. Something I learned a while ago is that you can find people everywhere who understand. I met people in over 100 countries through the SJS community, and they've helped me through a lot since I found them. You'll find people are very caring in the world, despite the bad there is always something good around the corner.
Today has been a very rough day to cap off a rough year. Been feeling very low. That being stuck at the bottom of the well bit really resonates with me. That's exactly how it feels. I'm going to seek help and create new goals for myself. Just needed someone who could understand. Thank you, Emma.
Never EVER EVER EVER EVER phone a help line, I vented to one and they called cps (for reasons) and told my parents and showed them all of my messages about suicide and stuff, now my relationship with my parents is really awkward and its been 3 months like this.
I have "triggers" in my life, triggers can be anything from a song to a random comment. When something "pulls my trigger" I get snappy, sad and if too many people ask me about it I start to cry.Using your first metaphor, I'm in a well but it's only 10 feet deep. I can climb out but when I'm near the escape I fall back down. Spoke to people that could "help" me. Still didn't help me.
On the topic of anti-depressants, I have been on them for a week and a half now. I have felt better, everything is as it should be. It is me, just me being able to smile and laugh. They might not be the fix for everyone, but they help get a mind into a state where you can make the changes that you want to so your life goes your way.
They balance you out. I felt the same way once I started taking them. Even now when I rarely take them, I feel alot more balanced then I did before. If you get the right ones for you they can make a huge amount of difference.
I was always picked on, the first person that someone would think to make fun of. No- one ever thought about my feelings. I started watching youtube (too much of it but anyway) and thought: Fuck those people! They think that just because something won't affect them, it won't affect someone who may not look it, but is extremely sensitive. I'm 11, and I stopped myself from falling into a 10 times deeper thanks to people like Emma. Thank you
Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while now and it got really bad I turned to self destructive acts to try and feel again but it DOESN'T work at all. If you're reading this please listen to me and DONT do anything stupid like I and so many others have. Emma's advice is really good and it really does help to tell someone you trust.
This was amazing, it made me cry, actually. I tried your tactic of making lists of things I want to do and see in the future. It really helps, so much. It makes me feel like I have so much to live for every time I look at it, when before I felt I had nothing. This really helped, thank you Emma!
I became very depressed when I was about 10 years old (yep, 10) and I didn't even know why, I just wanted to die (and still do but not as much) I told my parents (well my mom, and she told my dad) they said and I quote "you are too young to be depressed" that being the first time I ever even heard of depression... they say now that I am just seeking attention and that there is nothing wrong with me. I can't go to any teachers or anyone at my school because the counser hates me because of my friend who he really hated and now has moved hundreds of miles away, and teachers just arent fans of me.... and that friend I mentioned like I said has now moved and he was the only person who ever understood that I was really depressed and cared about me, now I don't even have anyway to contact him. so I guess I'm saying this because I need advice on who to talk to, my I say that I'm not as suicidal as I was before, I don't have the courage to actually kill myself but if there was a car coming straight for me, I'm not sure I would get out of the way....
+Franki Røsee please seek help. I know how alone you might feel, but you dont have to. look around you and see if there is someone you feel comfortable talking to. If you feel like there is nobody, make new friends, school or online. stay strong!!
i agree can you please stop insluting this girl because you might be ruining someones day.. whether you think theyre attention seeking or not there is no reason for you to point it out. plus youre filling my google plus notifs with negativity and its really fucking annoying
+Tutti Man I can tell you right now that there's many things that I have been through that I didn't include in my original comment, I would throw them at you right now, maybe open your eyes a bit, but it seems you're too busy with your 'niggas'.
I was so glad I finally came out and talked to my mom about my depression/anxiety because she encouraged me to seek help with medication and counseling and I'm glad I had her in my corner. You might not have that in your family, but someone out there WILL see your struggles and want the best for you!
Emma I can't believe that I'm just finding out about you. You are so amazing and this video has given me a lot to think about. It's nice to know that even though this was made years ago it's still relevant. Just... Thank you. This is a really great video. Stay. Strong. Fight. Back.
I stumbled across one of your videos on tumblr, and thought I'd give it a look. Can I just say that you are an absolutely amazing human being? I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for almost my whole life, and I was never able to explain it correctly to my friends and family. You hit it spot on. Thank you so much. Stay beautiful.
I really just stopped the video when she started the video saying what depression is, like its wonderful to hear that there is people that know what you are going throught and they can understand you and i just wanna cry right now.
my school has a counsellor who is just crap. I went for about a month, she would ask about how you feel, then about your grades and that seemed like all she cared about
My mum suffers with Depression. She dips a lot. I didn't want to talk to her because I felt that she may get worse. I'm currently in Year 11, and I get stressed (Like really bad). You notice when people feel like crap. I don't want to tell my mum somethings that goes on in school because I'm worried of the consequences and then she may worry more. The spiral that my mum went down in it... it was terrible. She is starting to come back now, slowly but she is getting there. Emma, you described it perfectly, with you dealing with it yourself and having the help, lets you climb that hole that you thought you wasn't going to be able to climb a year ago. There is some amazing advice in here that I would highly recommend that you use. I worry a lot, I may not notice that but I do. Recently I have been feeling rubbish, I just want to start again.People are talking to me to try and get me to how I was in Year 7. I'm grateful that there is people out there to talk to.that can help me and so many other people that are in the same situation. My confidence had dropped. But I'm trying to fight it off. Thank you Emma, you are so inspirational!
I just got out of a 3 year long depression. everything she said may b crazy ecspecially near the end. but they r all true. i wish i had some1 as wise and full of experience and understanding as emma wen i went through what i went through. idk what ur depression is from but mine was from bullying and severe lack in confidence. . . . . I'm also thirteen. i was in a depression when i was ten. idk what year 11 means in the UK but im gonna guess that it means 11th grade and the ur 16 or 17 so if i can get out of a depression when im thirteen you can do it at 16 or 17. but ive only told people like my best friends and no one else. im not saying you have to tell any1 but just talk to your self about it and if its personal looks then focus on what u do like about ur appearence, if its bullying then just tell them to shut the fuck up. get rid of all the people in your life that make you feel even the slightest bit upset about ur self and if u have to deal with them and they are family just tell them that u rlly dont apperciate what they are saying and if they dont shut their mouth then tell an authoritive figure. im sorry if this is kinda long but just listen to emma and i and u and everyone else out there should b fine.
rewatching this 7 years later..crying in my room (: as one does... but I'm glad you reached 1 million subs. Idk how else your life is going but I hope its good. this series really helped in high school, post college and I'm still here
You need to win an award for this or something. I'm not even kidding. So much of this video has made me feel better about having depression just by hearing it. I think that...most people can't tell their parents though, cause when I told my mother that I wanted to die several months ago, she grabbed the sharpest knife in the kitchen and told me to go right the fuck ahead. Other people's parents might be like that, I don't know. I have only told one person, but I think some other people are realising that I'm depressed because I was asked yesterday by email by a teacher if I have anyone to talk to. I haven't replied yet because I didn't know what to say. I really don't know what I'm going to tell her. I have plenty of people to talk to, but my boyfriend is the only one who I can really talk to about this type of stuff, cause I've told him and he went through something very similar to what I'm going through. Knowing that he's been through it helps me sometimes because he managed to get through it, and I might be able to too. It's funny how I can post on here that I have depression but I can't even say it to my best friend that I've had for over ten years... I know that I'm probably not going to get professional help for it, but even though you said you're not a replacement for professional help, you certainly could be, cause you just know what to say and that. I don't know. All I'm attempting to say is thank you for the video, just in a very long, overcomplicated-with-a-backstory type of way
I know I'm about 3 years too late and you probably won't read old comments, but thank you for putting this up, I have just recently been depressed after my dad had brain damage and this really did help, so thank you and I hope you are feeling happy 🙂
I'm late as well but anyway: Im sorry to hear what has happened to you and i hope you get along and will be fine. Just remember to stay strong and if necessary, fight back like Emma said. Don't let you get down, or get back up. If you need, ask for help. There will be someone to help you out of your depression, i know that :)
S3ritos (MPP) wow, I completely forgot about this comment. Thank you so much for this, I've still been feeling really down recently after a good spell... today has been good though, a year since my dad came home from hospital 😊 thank you so much for being so kind, it really means a lot to know there are good people out there 🙂 I hope you are well 🙂
Of course! Glad to hear today has been good :) I like to think that little things like this make people smile and brighten up their day a little bit, so why not write a few words? It even helps me too^^ I hope that everything gets better for you :)
Being selfish is literally one of the best things I'm doing for myself right now. I'm still working on it, I apologize for pretty much everything I ever do, but I'm working on it and it feels so much better
As a 21 year old male who is currently experiencing depression, I can say that this is a brilliant video. I didn't realise how serious it was before I experienced it. I had days where I wasn't getting out bed, I was just sleeping all day and all night. I wasn't seeing anybody, I was self harming, I was replaying words said to me over and over again, I was angry, this anger led to me losing my job and in the end I thought of suicide. I stood on a bridge in tears with the same words replaying in my head again and again. I saw a doctor, thinking I was a bit low. I was diagnosed with severe depression and a few steps away from being a danger to myself and the doctor having to tell the police so I could be sectioned. I never dreamed that i was that bad until I had the courage to seek help. I urge anyone who is feeling low, just please get help.
The school counselor has to tell my parents by law once somebody reports me for depression/self harm. I don't trust her ad my mum sent me to a therapist who did nothing. Every time in see the counselor in the hallway I have a panic attack and I can't tell anybody...
SAME! I hate my councelor and when I see her at school in a hallway I just don't want to be there, I panic so much and I dread my sessions with her. And she has to say everything to my parents.
Even in the UK, if you're inflicting harm upon your self or others, they have to tell your parents. In America it's different, when you're inflicting harm or not, they will tell your parents basically everything you tell them.
People get depressed for different reasons too which may effect how best to handle it. In my life I can think of 2 occasions when I suffered from depression. When I was 15/16 I received some news which also destroyed alot of trust I had in my own mother and more recently I had the old lack of self confidence + falling for someone ordeal. I don't want to go into detail on the circumstances of either incident. The first one, I took the wait for broken leg to heal by itself in pain option. Do not advise. When I get even slightly depressed I become an insomniac. I recall at this time one of my "friends" asking if I had taken drugs one day, I had not, I had been awake for over 72 hours straight. I got angry, I lost the ability to think rationally and had a very short temper, this is not me at all. I even seem to have a reputation normally for being someone who keeps their cool. Parents were part of the cause, I certainly couldn't talk to them, my school didn't have a councilor and I had no close family members to talk to. I didn't have access to make phonecalls to helplines. Towards the end came the realisation that I can indeed control my future, I opened up with a friend who I trust more than anyone else and pulled through. Even a full year later I was not always entirely happy but I managed to get my self control back and keep a lid on it. More recently it was women problems. Long story which I don't want to go into but the tl;dr is that eventually after a lengthy runup I got friendzoned, this was not the trigger for depression (inb4 someone saying I'm a pansy who cant handle rejection) and it was more to do with events in the runup. For this I took the silverlining. I came away having achieved something I had not done in my life and since then have actually found myself being much closer to the girl as a friend than before and these are both good things. Take hold of any positive element in whatever situation you find yourself in, spend a little time thinking about them, leave no time for negative thought. I had the same friend I had before to help me through and at least be someone who I could vent my thoughts towards. I personally like taking a long drive while trying to focus on the positive thoughts. A little positivity and a shoulder to lean on go a long way towards your happiness. It isn't applicable to every situation, but if there is some good there then just take a hold of it.
I do not recommend you taking ant depression tablets because it numbs you and makes you feel good but when it dies down and run out you will feel really low and depressed and it also makes it worse sometimes but it depends who you are.
I tried to drop multiple hints for my mum that I felt depressed and think that I might me struggling with depression. She was just like well this is what growing up is like and you will get over that and stuff. And another time she was like that actually sounds like symptoms of depression and didn't react any further
I just want to thank you for making this video. I feel that most of the time people just say "It gets better." and kind of leave it at that, and that was of one of the reasons I, and maybe a few others, didn't seek help for so long, as well as the stigma behind having depression itself. I was just waiting for it to get better on it's own, and didn't tell anyone that I was pretty much drowning. I'm happy to see a person who actually gets it and shows how to help yourself when you're in that place. Thank you so much, best wishes to you :)
Depression is a complicated thing with variations of degree, from a fit of the blues to full blown bi-polar. A bit like the variations from sniffles to pneumonia with complications. It's an illness just like any other, a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be triggered by a vaiety of things but will stay with you for the rest of your life. It's a painfull thing to live with, you just have to take it one day at a time and congratulate yourself for making it through another one. Just keep your eyes ahead and keep aiming yourself through the open door. And for the realy bad times when all you see is black, seek help from a doctor. There are other therapies to help you cope than just drugs. If you cant talk to your doctor, change your doctor for one you can.
Emma, I can honestly say that this video is great. You have inspired me to actually turn my life around for 2014, and I can't wait to change things. I am beginning to feel happier and I am going to help myself out of this, thank you so much. I love that Well metaphor too. P.S~ school councillors don't really help. I have been talking to one for a year & all they do is listen but don't give advice. And constantly say what they think about the situation, but confuse you. If you want actual advice- don't go to a councillor.
This video convinced me to tell my parents about everything. The anxiety, depression, self harm, the lot. And now, thanks to their months of support, I can finally, truthfully say I am recovered and I am okay. Thank you so much for helping me take that first step.
And when I decided to tell my teacher, she just said "Don't be stupid. You're too young to be depressed. If you was really depressed, you'd tell your mother or something." So I replied with "No. No, I can't tell my mother because one- she's DEAD, and two, She abused me before she died. And OBVIOUSLY I know what depression is, because I have THESE." and then I just rolled up my sleeves and showed her all my stupid scars. She just laughed and told me to go home. This is why I despise school,
What I do when it comes to depression...I draw messy butterflies on the area I feel like I WOULD CUT and repeat until I calm down "Dont Hurt The Butterfly" I haven't cut before nor I dont think I will but when it comes to people I have so much trouble in words coming out my mouth, I find it easier to write it down but am afraid to give it to people even though I want to, I do have my brother who bullies me and a sister to suck up and nosy I can't talk to, a mom who's a loud over dramadic nosy gossipy person and a dad who shows no expression who travels all most all the time. Friends who don't care on what I say. Doctors only go for if you are 'SICK' with a flu or something and teachers mean mostly and school helpers (Idk what they are called I do know I cant spell it, I have a dyslexia so shut up) that always ask and tell parents...even when I dont want them to.
i read something on facebook the other day which makes total sense in this situation, it went something like this: in times of darkness we all run and hide....when all we really want is to be found!
Emily Dobson , YOU CAN TALK TO ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER, I am 64 and she is 17 , check me out in the comments above and when she comes over again perhaps she can get together with you on her facebook but BE CAREFUL WHO YOU SHARE WITH, THERE ARE SOME BAD MEN , WOMEN AND BULLIES OUT THERE . PLEASE, PLEASE call a helpline, you don't even have to give your name . Oh ,please listen when I tell you that you are precious.
Emily Dobson , YOU CAN TALK TO ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER, I am 64 and she is 17 , check me out in the comments above and when she comes over again perhaps she can get together with you on her facebook but BE CAREFUL WHO YOU SHARE WITH, THERE ARE SOME BAD MEN , WOMEN AND BULLIES OUT THERE . PLEASE, PLEASE call a helpline, you don't even have to give your name . Oh ,please listen when I tell you that you are precious.
I can't tell my mum because she's already depressed and has was x-selfharmer for a daughter I can't upset her more. but I feel so lucky to have 3 amazing friends who undersand💕
I get times of depression that mainly occurs at night when I'm left alone with my thoughts. I get restless, I feel lost and I have no idea what to do with myself and I can sit there crying my eyes out in my room feeling worthless and, sometimes, suicidal. It's the worst feeling ever but recently I have found comfort in telling my parents (it does help). I went to the doctors but there are a few things I can't admit. I can't admit that I have wanted to kill myself. I can't admit that I have self harmed a few times, especially to my parents. My mum said she would really start to worry about my mental state if I had self harmed, and she did ask me if I had but I couldn't tell her so I just said no. How do you tell parents things like that? How do you let them know that you're suicidal and have self harmed?
I consider my life a failure, and I don't believe in my dream anymore, and I don't want to think about the past and what that did to me. I also think I bring shame to my family and my parents. I've also considered taking my life several times. As of recently too. however! There is one thing that keeps me strong and probably saved me from suicide a long time ago, and that's gift that I got from my parents at a very young age. My religion! I'm a christian and taking your life is not a option if you want to make it to heaven! Now you can start arguing about what religion is the correct one, and that religion all together is just rubbish nonsense, but that's irrelevant. The important thing is that religion, in whatever form you choose to believe in, is something to bring light and faith in life when it's at it's darkest. To help you along and for you to find comfort and have a goal in life. A goal that's not gonna be changed by how you feel, or what happen to you. I consider myself incredible lucky to have a religion that I can find comfort in. And I'm very great full towards my parents who made me believe in christianity at a young age! it has saved my life. Thanks to it I know my life will be fine somehow! I don't know how nor when, but I just know it will happen someday! :) I'll survive...
I'm glad your religion has saved you, and I wish I had more faith in God, but that's something I will have to earn as time goes on. But people who kill themselves are still good people, they just got lost, and I don't think God is so cruel to punish someone in eternal hellfire for being lost, getting hurt, or because of an illness they couldn't control. I'm sorry, I just don't believe that you won't go to heaven if you take your own life. I can't believe that.
This video was a major catalyst in me healing from depression. Thank you so much Emma. I was just a teen back then and now in my twenties I can look back and see that this helped quite alot.
I don't know what to do anymore I told my mum nothing happened I told my friends they told me to get over it!! I'm never happy I have to do what I call wear a mask all the time, basically pretend to be happy, and if I don't you can tell I'm depressed and sad. I just don't know what to do anymore I'm all alone and I cry every night, if anyone has any ideas please share them with me.
I know exactly how you feel. I personally think I've had depression for a whole year now. I also use the 'mask' method. I've got an old hair grip in my school blazer pocket which I've made sharp and in the majority of my lessons I'll sit there and scratch my hand until it bleeds. I'm starting to wonder if I even want to live anymore. Perhaps we can pull through this together??
You didn't give up, you're here now, you have a second chance and you're going to create an amazing life. You deserve all the health and happiness in the world and it will come to you.
I don't care that this is an older video. I recently found your channel and you're simply amazing. You've got an attitude and personality that I admire. I wish I could not care and love myself the way you put off. Just this, makes me feel so much better. it makes me feel hopeful. I'm honestly going to use your advice and tips and look back on this when I need to. thank you, so much.
If you want to help a depressed friend, I might be able to give you a bit of advice! A few months ago, I was feeling depressed for about two weeks because it's my first year at college (I'm from the US, so it's my first time living 9 hours away from home). My grades were slipping despite all of my efforts, I wasn't sure how I could endure four whole years of constant failure, and, to top it all off, a weird part of my mind kept telling me that my friends don't care about me. I felt like if I didn't show up to meals, nobody would ever notice. So I stopped showing up. And almost immediately after that, I started getting texts and calls every time I missed a meal, and it was always my friends wanting to know where I was. They invited me to go places all the time even though they knew I wouldn't go, and when I did start going to meals again, my friends all wanted to know where I'd been. Even the people who I'd barely known were caring and concerned. That REALLY helped me.
Of course, I was only feeling depressed for two weeks, so I don't know if that really counts. If your friend is seriously depressed for a long time, those tips will almost definitely not be enough.
Emma honestly. you have saved my life. I've been subscribed to you and watching your videos for over a year, and you do not know how much you've helped me. I love you.
I basically just told my brothers that I was depressed,and have been for a while, and they just didnt really care even though they know im suicidal they just dismiss it as if its joke. But its not. I told them how the only person that was giving me any sort of happiness is no longer part of my life and they decided to focus on the fact that I used to love someone rather than try help me so now I have no idea who to turn to as I have been struggling with depression for over 3 years and that may not seem like a long time and I know so many people have it so much worse, but it was for me! Its like when im not drowning I just feel nothing and I don't have the energy to do anything I just feel lifeless like ive lost my personality... To be perfectly honest they probably think im just an attention seeking bitch but actually it just slipped out! Sorry this is so long I just needed someone to share my thoughts with someone...so lucky you...:-/
coughdenialcough Tell your doctor, your friends, relatives, help lines. I also found listening to people talk about their experiences was helpful for me as it made me feel less alone and gave me hope. Try to surround yourself with people who make you happy, even if you don't tell them. Trust me, you don't want to isolate yourself even though you may want to.
I have been clean ( no cuts or burns) for 9 months now. I'm not going to tell you that you have saved my life but i think its right you should know you have made it so much better. Each time i come close to doing it again i turn on my laptop and i either laugh away any pain at your videos or i become inspired by them. You might not have made a difference to the whole world or everyone's lives, but in my life,my boyfriends life and my family's life... We will never be able to thank you enough for helping me through this. I was ruining everything good in my life because i didn't think i deserved it, because i hated myself and you managed to do what no one else could, you helped me see the good and the beauty in the world again and also in my self. Thank you so much for everything Emma.
Would you mind talking about eating disorders? Please and thank you. Also I love your videos, you are an amazing person and I hope life brings you nothing but good. :)
I'm currently battling depression, I found that the biggest help was telling my two closest friends. Of course that didn't magically fix everything but it was a relief to tell them. At first I thought I would be a burden on them but they helped me realize that if it were them i would want to know. when things are getting really bad I find it helps to write my thought down so I can process them more logically. To help me cheer up I have a playlist of song that always make me smile. I really appreciate your help Emma. Thank you!
I thought I could be strong but I really can't I want help but don't want people to feel sorry for me.... I can help others I always help my friends with this but don't think I should have the help I don't deserve it as much as my friends but I know they would feel the same way ... Ugh confusion
Taylor x i do not know you or your situation....but this is your life, your journey & you have made it this far! you are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit =) everything is just one moment in time...what you feel in one setting and rising of the sun will change forever and you can not return to it nor can you change it....but you can change what comes next...this is YOUR POWER...you own it! here if you ever need to chat or vent
Taylor x Hey, I felt exactly the same. If what the others suggest does't work, try thinking about it differently. Your clearly a compassionate person and enjoy helping others. Try asking yourself how would my friends feel if you didn't ask for help. Sad probable. If you can't tell them for you, tell them for them. They enjoy helping you as much as you enjoy helping them. But of course, don't rush it.
when this first came out, it helped me so so so much. i was really depressed when i was 13 and it was so hard to feel okay. after i saw your feel good 101 series, i started feeling better and this video in particular, was so so so so so helpful. i cannot thank you enough for what you've done by making this video. you're an amazing person emma, and i love you and youre just fucking perfect
I am going to therapist for the first time thursday. I have been going through this for 4 years now and i can't believe that i am actually seeking help. Bit scared tho.
i remember reading Emma's book fell good 101 and hearing depression is like falling in a well and being stuck and hearing it in this video made me happy and when ever i have a anxtiy attack i image myself in a well and someone throws me a rope and once i get out the person who helped me is emma thank you Emma for all the help and smiles
I have friends and when they found out that I was depressed and self-harming and that I was open about it, they said I was attention-seeking. They found out that I didn't eat, I was 'suicidal and anorexic' and the laughing stock for them. Even now, one year after, I am suicidal, a lot. I want to tell them, because I feel as if I need help but I don't want people to think that I cut for attention. I am still among the same friendship group and I really need someone but I don't trust them anymore. They teased me for cutting without realizing that they are responsible for some of the cuts. I have overdosed and cut. And now I am speaking out to random strangers because I am that fucking desperate for a confidant...
You're not attention seeking, don't ever think that! You're friends aren't real friends if they don't take you seriously. I know I'm just another stranger on the internet but if you ever need to talk, I'm here, and I'm sure there are many more people that are willing to do the same. Please stay strong x
+Izzi Larkins First, do you really think that real friends would laugh at you because of your problems? I was depressed (still am a little) and because of that I didn't really go to school, I was scared what other people would think of me. I didn't eat well and sometimes not at all. I went to a professional, it helped. Everyone has problems, but it does not give others the right to oppress you. Stay strong, find something that you like, talk to your parents, find new friends, really, the point is to survive and to live like you want...
+Ivy Nana Thank you for your advice, I am trying to find different friends but struggling due to my personality. I am trying to get help from the schools councilor but struggling as I don't want to speak to my parents or family as I know that they would think that I am making it up and I know that the school would tell them... Kind of stuck and I don't really know who I can go to. I have also looked online but nothing is really helping and now I'm panicking because school starts soon and I hate it because I am ridiculously scared about other peoples opinions etc... I just don't understand anything...
The not doing things for other people is a huge part of my depression that I'm getting better with. My job in retail actually helped me in realizing that there is no reason to apologize for every little thing that happens, especially when it is not my fault. The people just do not deserve it half the time, and it serves to exasperate the problem. I told my mother last year about my depression and anxiety and she felt guilty but was all for me getting help. She felt like it was her fault and it wasn't but she helped me get into therapy and it has helped a ton. I have not taken any medicine because I do not wish to, but just being able to speak to someone and setting goals for myself instead of sleeping all day and feeling like a failure has helped tremendously.
When you said, "I must be fine because my heart is still beating" I teared up. Thank you so much.
+Szopidło Haha, thank you.
I see.
+Rachel Portman I did to
It's 2016 and this still means the world to me.
same
Honestly tho
Same fam
Same
+pierce charbonnet Brb
Never been into depression. Yeah, I'm one of them lucky bastards. But it seems every single friend I've had has says 'Ooo I'm depressed, I'm going to cut myself'. ONE of those friends actually did. The other ten or so were attention seeking, and they've admitted that. Attention seeking angers me because it creates this 'taboo' that Emma mentioned and stops real people getting real help.
Sorry... Just needed to get that off my chest
this video is still better than any counsellor ive ever spoke to
That well metaphor was fucking great, Emma, at describing depression. I also think of it as being trapped underwater in a dark lake/ocean and you can see the light faintly above you, but you're trapped beneath the surface and you can't breathe fresh air and rise above it because you're stuck in the sand and the mud.
Two years later, you've almost reached a million subscribers, Emma :)
SHE REACHED ONE MILLION TODAY!
A couple of years ago I moved into a new school. I suddenly developed something called separation anxiety. It made me absolutely terrified of leaving my parents which... made it really fucking hard to go to school. I remember feeling terrified and alone. This was when I fell into depression. I'm going to be completely straight here and say that youtube saved my life. It was around that time that I began watching the Yogscast. Having that piece of hilarity to return to every day made my life worth living. It might sound stupid but It's true. It gave me something to live for, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I knew joff didnt have you killed Eddard! haha
But seriously its good that you have found a way to cope with things :)
deltingfc haha thanks
Does Yogscast make videos about minecraft?
Amber Eames Yes, they do, They have lots of channels and many branches, they have done countless games over the years
I feel the same way, only I was always picked on, the first person that someone would think to make fun of. No- one ever thought about my feelings. I started watching youtube (too much of it but anyway) and thought: Fuck those people! They think that just because something won't affect them, it won't affect someone who may not look it, but is extremely sensitive. I'm 11, and I stopped myself from falling into a 10 times deeper thanks to people like Emma.
Thank you
my school councillor literally sent my parents a letter saying exactly what I said to her and now I don't feel like I can tell anyone after that so
+Yøungbløød “literally everywhere” Phan Trash that person has broken the law
+the unholy gamers it depends if the person believes you are in immediate danger it is allowed
true
+BEARly illegal what a great thing to tell people on a video about depression
Yøungbløød Phan Trash yeah man :D
I just recently told my mom and I've never felt better.
Good for you! :D
LulitaInPita
Brooklynne Williams thank you :)
I told my mom that i think i have depression then she forgot two days later...
I got the courage to tell her i self harmed and showed her and she forgot after a week, during that week she didn't talk to me
Wow im sorry that happened to you :( it really sucks that our parents can just forget about us like that
I told my best friend....and he doesn't care
+Gary Burt so much for a best friend
+Lucy Gardner she may have been in denial and just given in to it
I love how she points out she doesn't know are parents or situation with them because some parents can be the reason you are depressed and a lot of these videos or things they just say tell your parents and repeat that but that won't work for everyone
To be honest, my parents would just think I was trying to get out of something, or trying to get sympathy, even if my doctor has diagnosed me with pms. TBH my parents know that im depressed, but all they do is try to cheer me up, and my mother is pressuring me not to go on anti-depressents or anything to stop the pms becaus eapparently itll fuck me or something idk, and im literally dying on the inside every day and its getting worse
:( srry to hear that
Thanks man
Try to get an appointment with a psychologist, he/she will tell you if you need to see a psychiatrist
I really don't have enough free time to get a new hobby. I have mock exams next month
Haha yeah :D
There's also a website called '7 cups of tea' if you prefer to write about your problems rather than talk. I have used that website before and it's really amazing.
It's a really great website
(In the US) there’s also a texting crisis hotline
i didnt like 7 cups so much bc i would go on there when i needed to rant and blow off steam but a friend found it and was really freaked out by my rather disturbing feed of rants. so like, its kinda public
You are the one person on UA-cam who doesn't pretend you know everyone's life and story and actually gives quality advice xx
My mum just says I have crappy attitude and everything about me is just selfishness she makes me cry everydY ._. And my conselleur doesn't know how serious I am about anything :/
I watched this in tears but it meant I put my blade down so, thank you
This comes very late, but i just wanted to tell you that reading your comment made me happy and I'm proud of you for not cutting yourself, even if it might just be once. It's important for you to know that and even though i don't know you, i bet you are a beautifull, wonderful, amazing person and you deserve to be happy. I know you will meet the love of your life someday and you will find true friendship if you haven't already. Until then, hang in there, even if it is tough. You can do it!
Be strong Emma! I have faith in you :)
My heart is beating. I am fine.
emma, I know you'll probably never ever see this, but if you do ever start up this series again, could you maybe make an episode about anxiety? mine has been unbearable lately and I don't know why but this series genuinely makes me feel better
My dad thinks depression is part of being a teenager
foreverwantingpie That's what i thought , boy was i wrong...
foreverwantingpie: I hope you're feeling better. Btw, I love your profile pic. ❤
Beth Anonymous thank you I actually am :)
same...
Also same, told someone and she was just like it's part of being a teenage, teenagers do feel depressed. I sure hope it's true because I don't want to feel like this for longer
You are wise beyond your years.
A delight to watch and listen to.
I think young people can relate to you so keep up making these sorts of videos. I'm sure you've already saved someone from doing irreversible damage. We'll done!!
I wish that my sister watched this. I miss her :(
Stay strong dear :)
did she ...
Stay strong beautiful!
I'm so very sorry for your loss. ❤ Keep going. You'll make her proud.
The bit at the end where Emma kept saying to drop people if they don't support how you want to live your life touched me so much. I had to drop my best friend (of the past 7-8 years) because she started to think she was better than me and stopped caring and talking to me. That was so motivational to me
Depression is like drowning, while you see the people around you breathing. It's feeling like you're constantly dying and can't breathe, not having control, when you tell someone about your depression it feels like being choked.
Depression is for me in this metaphor also that I'm constantly living and dying in the same time, not able to live and break through the water choking me, and not able to actually touch the bottom and die.
I don't know if that made sense..
The thing is I've told people, friends and school nurse and my parents (kind of, the nurse did it for me and they know I'm low), and nothing has changed, and I feel it's worse that they know. I feel so sick about it.
I was depressed for about 6 years starting when I was 13. I was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and had just survived my second bout with it, and when it was over it left me with a host of problems. Depression, partial deafness, damaged sight, and a few other things. I even had survivor's guilt after finding out how many people had died from it, I felt like it was unfair, that so many people who could have done something great died when I, someone who had done nothing of note at all, lived. What was worse was that some people from my old school criticized me. When I got back to school after being in the hospital I was hated by a lot of people who said I was contagious and that I would get people sick despite the condition being a genetic one that wasn't contagious. Hell when I got back I even looked like a monster, my eyes were bloodshot for months and my lips were stained red from blood, I looked like a literal monster and it sucked. I was called the "little sick shit" the "fucker who's gonna infect us" and a few other things. All this culminated in me leaving school, partially due to my depression and ridicule and partially due to the chance of me getting sick and having to take medication (the cause of SJS). I finally went back to public school after two years but I was still depressed. Sure the ridicule stopped but I didn't feel any better. My life looked like it was closing, like everything I ever wanted was out of reach because of that damn disease. All that came to a head when a kid died at my school on the same day that a former friend had died, and both of those events pushed me over the edge. I became distraught and I only survived due to a friend. I managed to get better. Now that friend went and lied to me for the better part of 6 months and I started to fall in again. I'm keeping myself up because of my brothers help and a few of my friends. People are the only remedy I've found. To anyone with depression, there are others out there that know it's grip as well, and you can always count on them to help, stay strong and hold on.
To be clear I never cut nor did I take anti-depressants. I also never told my parents because I always felt that if I had it would cause them problems.
I think you are a really strong person and everything you've been going through has made you the way you are today. That's what I'm also thinking of myself and I understand others much more.. It helped me get REAL friends who also understood me. I'm going to a psychologist for the first time in my life, I learned that I have moderate depression, anxiety and now we're looking into ADD. In third grade when I was 8 years old, my very best friend left me.. I got really bad self esteem and got really shy which I never was before. My new ''friends'' talked behind my back and I was to shy to be with anyone else so I always did my best to try and fit in. I was also much thinner and smaller than other kids but I never put too much thought into it until I began fifth grade. It was so bad, I was not only ashamed because I was shy but also over the way I looked. I hated myself, everything was my fault and of course no one wanted to be with me when I looked like this. That's what I thought. I stayed home most of the time in between fifth to eight grade. I was still with one of the girls from before and another one. But I got both offended and was bullied by them. I only hade one real friend but she went to another school. I had a hard time with studying, tried to change friends but ended up being all alone until som teacher saw me and I had no other choice but to make up with my ''dear'' friends. I'm nineteen soon and I always thought that there must be something wrong with me.. I changed high school once because it got bad with friends again, I lost my dog and too much happened in one year. In the school I go to now, I actually have many friends and I talk a lot. I've realised that I'm not at fault, being bullied is not the victims fault. Mostly I was bullied because of my weight. Knowing that I've had depression for very long, panic disorder, anxiety and now ADD.. How come no one noticed any of this? Because I could've got help and maybe would'nt be having it so hard now. I can't remember what I learn, scared of the future etc. I almost cut myself for some weeks ago, I have never done that in my life and did also have suicidal thoughts. It's scary. I can't talk to my mum about this anymore because she does not understand me and she only gets tired of it. I only have my dad and my friends. I also have three younger teenage sisters, one who 'hates' me and two who doesn't understand. But it's a good thing that I'm not alone in this, no one is :) Keep on going and stay strong like you said! I'm not american so I hope I didn't write too much wrong... hehe :)
Felicia Strandberg You're very strong my friend, and thats an understatement. Something I learned a while ago is that you can find people everywhere who understand. I met people in over 100 countries through the SJS community, and they've helped me through a lot since I found them. You'll find people are very caring in the world, despite the bad there is always something good around the corner.
"I'll be fine if I can breathe."
- Troye Sivan, EASE
I listen to that song whenever I feel unwell. 🙃
Today has been a very rough day to cap off a rough year. Been feeling very low. That being stuck at the bottom of the well bit really resonates with me. That's exactly how it feels. I'm going to seek help and create new goals for myself. Just needed someone who could understand. Thank you, Emma.
Never EVER EVER EVER EVER phone a help line, I vented to one and they called cps (for reasons) and told my parents and showed them all of my messages about suicide and stuff, now my relationship with my parents is really awkward and its been 3 months like this.
7 months and still awkward asf
***** I hope it gets better:/ did they at least help you in some way?
Johanna Weber they've tried forcing me into counseling
***** did you consider it? Maybe it could help:// (idk much about those things sorry if i'm saying nonsence)
Johanna Weber Would rather not
I like how your depression metaphor resembles the beginning of Dante's inferno.
***** what could be better for depression than killing lots of demon babies.
You've reached your goal Emma :D 1 million subscribers and you deserve every single one of them
I have "triggers" in my life, triggers can be anything from a song to a random comment. When something "pulls my trigger" I get snappy, sad and if too many people ask me about it I start to cry.Using your first metaphor, I'm in a well but it's only 10 feet deep. I can climb out but when I'm near the escape I fall back down. Spoke to people that could "help" me. Still didn't help me.
On the topic of anti-depressants, I have been on them for a week and a half now. I have felt better, everything is as it should be. It is me, just me being able to smile and laugh. They might not be the fix for everyone, but they help get a mind into a state where you can make the changes that you want to so your life goes your way.
They balance you out. I felt the same way once I started taking them. Even now when I rarely take them, I feel alot more balanced then I did before. If you get the right ones for you they can make a huge amount of difference.
I was always picked on, the first person that someone would think to make fun of. No- one ever thought about my feelings. I started watching youtube (too much of it but anyway) and thought: Fuck those people! They think that just because something won't affect them, it won't affect someone who may not look it, but is extremely sensitive. I'm 11, and I stopped myself from falling into a 10 times deeper thanks to people like Emma.
Thank you
Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while now and it got really bad I turned to self destructive acts to try and feel again but it DOESN'T work at all. If you're reading this please listen to me and DONT do anything stupid like I and so many others have. Emma's advice is really good and it really does help to tell someone you trust.
This was amazing, it made me cry, actually. I tried your tactic of making lists of things I want to do and see in the future. It really helps, so much. It makes me feel like I have so much to live for every time I look at it, when before I felt I had nothing. This really helped, thank you Emma!
I'm 20. I really appreciated the metaphor you created about depression, its definitely spot on.
The well metaphor is really good.
I became very depressed when I was about 10 years old (yep, 10) and I didn't even know why, I just wanted to die (and still do but not as much) I told my parents (well my mom, and she told my dad) they said and I quote "you are too young to be depressed" that being the first time I ever even heard of depression... they say now that I am just seeking attention and that there is nothing wrong with me. I can't go to any teachers or anyone at my school because the counser hates me because of my friend who he really hated and now has moved hundreds of miles away, and teachers just arent fans of me.... and that friend I mentioned like I said has now moved and he was the only person who ever understood that I was really depressed and cared about me, now I don't even have anyway to contact him. so I guess I'm saying this because I need advice on who to talk to, my I say that I'm not as suicidal as I was before, I don't have the courage to actually kill myself but if there was a car coming straight for me, I'm not sure I would get out of the way....
+Franki Røsee please seek help. I know how alone you might feel, but you dont have to. look around you and see if there is someone you feel comfortable talking to. If you feel like there is nobody, make new friends, school or online. stay strong!!
+Franki Røsee i feel the same way. my other friends try to help, but no one gets it
+Lame-O what do u mean ignorant. Notice how this dumb this fucker is
i agree can you please stop insluting this girl because you might be ruining someones day.. whether you think theyre attention seeking or not there is no reason for you to point it out. plus youre filling my google plus notifs with negativity and its really fucking annoying
+Tutti Man I can tell you right now that there's many things that I have been through that I didn't include in my original comment, I would throw them at you right now, maybe open your eyes a bit, but it seems you're too busy with your 'niggas'.
The "promise me" bit at the end made me feel so good for some reason...
I was so glad I finally came out and talked to my mom about my depression/anxiety because she encouraged me to seek help with medication and counseling and I'm glad I had her in my corner. You might not have that in your family, but someone out there WILL see your struggles and want the best for you!
Emma I can't believe that I'm just finding out about you. You are so amazing and this video has given me a lot to think about. It's nice to know that even though this was made years ago it's still relevant. Just... Thank you. This is a really great video. Stay. Strong. Fight. Back.
I stumbled across one of your videos on tumblr, and thought I'd give it a look. Can I just say that you are an absolutely amazing human being? I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for almost my whole life, and I was never able to explain it correctly to my friends and family. You hit it spot on. Thank you so much. Stay beautiful.
I really just stopped the video when she started the video saying what depression is, like its wonderful to hear that there is people that know what you are going throught and they can understand you and i just wanna cry right now.
my school has a counsellor who is just crap. I went for about a month, she would ask about how you feel, then about your grades and that seemed like all she cared about
My mum suffers with Depression. She dips a lot. I didn't want to talk to her because I felt that she may get worse. I'm currently in Year 11, and I get stressed (Like really bad). You notice when people feel like crap. I don't want to tell my mum somethings that goes on in school because I'm worried of the consequences and then she may worry more. The spiral that my mum went down in it... it was terrible. She is starting to come back now, slowly but she is getting there. Emma, you described it perfectly, with you dealing with it yourself and having the help, lets you climb that hole that you thought you wasn't going to be able to climb a year ago. There is some amazing advice in here that I would highly recommend that you use. I worry a lot, I may not notice that but I do. Recently I have been feeling rubbish, I just want to start again.People are talking to me to try and get me to how I was in Year 7. I'm grateful that there is people out there to talk to.that can help me and so many other people that are in the same situation. My confidence had dropped. But I'm trying to fight it off. Thank you Emma, you are so inspirational!
I just got out of a 3 year long depression. everything she said may b crazy ecspecially near the end. but they r all true. i wish i had some1 as wise and full of experience and understanding as emma wen i went through what i went through. idk what ur depression is from but mine was from bullying and severe lack in confidence. . . . . I'm also thirteen. i was in a depression when i was ten. idk what year 11 means in the UK but im gonna guess that it means 11th grade and the ur 16 or 17 so if i can get out of a depression when im thirteen you can do it at 16 or 17. but ive only told people like my best friends and no one else. im not saying you have to tell any1 but just talk to your self about it and if its personal looks then focus on what u do like about ur appearence, if its bullying then just tell them to shut the fuck up. get rid of all the people in your life that make you feel even the slightest bit upset about ur self and if u have to deal with them and they are family just tell them that u rlly dont apperciate what they are saying and if they dont shut their mouth then tell an authoritive figure. im sorry if this is kinda long but just listen to emma and i and u and everyone else out there should b fine.
rewatching this 7 years later..crying in my room (: as one does... but I'm glad you reached 1 million subs. Idk how else your life is going but I hope its good. this series really helped in high school, post college and I'm still here
You need to win an award for this or something. I'm not even kidding. So much of this video has made me feel better about having depression just by hearing it. I think that...most people can't tell their parents though, cause when I told my mother that I wanted to die several months ago, she grabbed the sharpest knife in the kitchen and told me to go right the fuck ahead. Other people's parents might be like that, I don't know. I have only told one person, but I think some other people are realising that I'm depressed because I was asked yesterday by email by a teacher if I have anyone to talk to. I haven't replied yet because I didn't know what to say. I really don't know what I'm going to tell her. I have plenty of people to talk to, but my boyfriend is the only one who I can really talk to about this type of stuff, cause I've told him and he went through something very similar to what I'm going through. Knowing that he's been through it helps me sometimes because he managed to get through it, and I might be able to too. It's funny how I can post on here that I have depression but I can't even say it to my best friend that I've had for over ten years...
I know that I'm probably not going to get professional help for it, but even though you said you're not a replacement for professional help, you certainly could be, cause you just know what to say and that. I don't know. All I'm attempting to say is thank you for the video, just in a very long, overcomplicated-with-a-backstory type of way
I know I'm about 3 years too late and you probably won't read old comments, but thank you for putting this up, I have just recently been depressed after my dad had brain damage and this really did help, so thank you and I hope you are feeling happy 🙂
I'm late as well but anyway:
Im sorry to hear what has happened to you and i hope you get along and will be fine. Just remember to stay strong and if necessary, fight back like Emma said. Don't let you get down, or get back up. If you need, ask for help. There will be someone to help you out of your depression, i know that :)
S3ritos (MPP) wow, I completely forgot about this comment. Thank you so much for this, I've still been feeling really down recently after a good spell... today has been good though, a year since my dad came home from hospital 😊 thank you so much for being so kind, it really means a lot to know there are good people out there 🙂 I hope you are well 🙂
Of course! Glad to hear today has been good :)
I like to think that little things like this make people smile and brighten up their day a little bit, so why not write a few words? It even helps me too^^
I hope that everything gets better for you :)
Being selfish is literally one of the best things I'm doing for myself right now. I'm still working on it, I apologize for pretty much everything I ever do, but I'm working on it and it feels so much better
Thank you so much for this video.
It's stupid how much I relate to this. I cried.
As a 21 year old male who is currently experiencing depression, I can say that this is a brilliant video. I didn't realise how serious it was before I experienced it. I had days where I wasn't getting out bed, I was just sleeping all day and all night. I wasn't seeing anybody, I was self harming, I was replaying words said to me over and over again, I was angry, this anger led to me losing my job and in the end I thought of suicide. I stood on a bridge in tears with the same words replaying in my head again and again. I saw a doctor, thinking I was a bit low. I was diagnosed with severe depression and a few steps away from being a danger to myself and the doctor having to tell the police so I could be sectioned. I never dreamed that i was that bad until I had the courage to seek help. I urge anyone who is feeling low, just please get help.
I told my parents and the said I was lying and I did not have it
Same
same
yea. maybe
I dont want to tell mine because of the fear of an overreaction or to say that im lying
If they love you they will understand
depression is like drowning but you can see everyone around you breathing
i had moderate depression for about 3 years, during the first few months I fell into severe depression.
Love the video, had me tearing up.
The school counselor has to tell my parents by law once somebody reports me for depression/self harm. I don't trust her ad my mum sent me to a therapist who did nothing. Every time in see the counselor in the hallway I have a panic attack and I can't tell anybody...
SAME! I hate my councelor and when I see her at school in a hallway I just don't want to be there, I panic so much and I dread my sessions with her. And she has to say everything to my parents.
Hayley Randomer do you live in america cos in britain concellers keep everything confidential enless it could bring you to severe harm
Gaminghink123 American councilors have to tell our parents everything.
You therapist is supposed to tell you if you need to see a psychiatrist, but if he/she didn't... try asking specifically
Even in the UK, if you're inflicting harm upon your self or others, they have to tell your parents. In America it's different, when you're inflicting harm or not, they will tell your parents basically everything you tell them.
People get depressed for different reasons too which may effect how best to handle it.
In my life I can think of 2 occasions when I suffered from depression. When I was 15/16 I received some news which also destroyed alot of trust I had in my own mother and more recently I had the old lack of self confidence + falling for someone ordeal.
I don't want to go into detail on the circumstances of either incident.
The first one, I took the wait for broken leg to heal by itself in pain option. Do not advise. When I get even slightly depressed I become an insomniac. I recall at this time one of my "friends" asking if I had taken drugs one day, I had not, I had been awake for over 72 hours straight. I got angry, I lost the ability to think rationally and had a very short temper, this is not me at all. I even seem to have a reputation normally for being someone who keeps their cool. Parents were part of the cause, I certainly couldn't talk to them, my school didn't have a councilor and I had no close family members to talk to. I didn't have access to make phonecalls to helplines. Towards the end came the realisation that I can indeed control my future, I opened up with a friend who I trust more than anyone else and pulled through. Even a full year later I was not always entirely happy but I managed to get my self control back and keep a lid on it.
More recently it was women problems. Long story which I don't want to go into but the tl;dr is that eventually after a lengthy runup I got friendzoned, this was not the trigger for depression (inb4 someone saying I'm a pansy who cant handle rejection) and it was more to do with events in the runup. For this I took the silverlining. I came away having achieved something I had not done in my life and since then have actually found myself being much closer to the girl as a friend than before and these are both good things. Take hold of any positive element in whatever situation you find yourself in, spend a little time thinking about them, leave no time for negative thought. I had the same friend I had before to help me through and at least be someone who I could vent my thoughts towards. I personally like taking a long drive while trying to focus on the positive thoughts.
A little positivity and a shoulder to lean on go a long way towards your happiness. It isn't applicable to every situation, but if there is some good there then just take a hold of it.
that's a very good metaphor for depression...but sometimes it feels like you have lost your voice.
I do not recommend you taking ant depression tablets because it numbs you and makes you feel good but when it dies down and run out you will feel really low and depressed and it also makes it worse sometimes but it depends who you are.
I tried to drop multiple hints for my mum that I felt depressed and think that I might me struggling with depression. She was just like well this is what growing up is like and you will get over that and stuff. And another time she was like that actually sounds like symptoms of depression and didn't react any further
I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm here if you want to talk
I just want to thank you for making this video. I feel that most of the time people just say "It gets better." and kind of leave it at that, and that was of one of the reasons I, and maybe a few others, didn't seek help for so long, as well as the stigma behind having depression itself. I was just waiting for it to get better on it's own, and didn't tell anyone that I was pretty much drowning. I'm happy to see a person who actually gets it and shows how to help yourself when you're in that place. Thank you so much, best wishes to you :)
Depression is a complicated thing with variations of degree, from a fit of the blues to full blown bi-polar. A bit like the variations from sniffles to pneumonia with complications. It's an illness just like any other, a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be triggered by a vaiety of things but will stay with you for the rest of your life. It's a painfull thing to live with, you just have to take it one day at a time and congratulate yourself for making it through another one. Just keep your eyes ahead and keep aiming yourself through the open door. And for the realy bad times when all you see is black, seek help from a doctor. There are other therapies to help you cope than just drugs. If you cant talk to your doctor, change your doctor for one you can.
Emma, I can honestly say that this video is great. You have inspired me to actually turn my life around for 2014, and I can't wait to change things. I am beginning to feel happier and I am going to help myself out of this, thank you so much. I love that Well metaphor too.
P.S~ school councillors don't really help. I have been talking to one for a year & all they do is listen but don't give advice. And constantly say what they think about the situation, but confuse you. If you want actual advice- don't go to a councillor.
This video convinced me to tell my parents about everything. The anxiety, depression, self harm, the lot. And now, thanks to their months of support, I can finally, truthfully say I am recovered and I am okay. Thank you so much for helping me take that first step.
And when I decided to tell my teacher, she just said "Don't be stupid. You're too young to be depressed. If you was really depressed, you'd tell your mother or something." So I replied with "No. No, I can't tell my mother because one- she's DEAD, and two, She abused me before she died. And OBVIOUSLY I know what depression is, because I have THESE." and then I just rolled up my sleeves and showed her all my stupid scars. She just laughed and told me to go home.
This is why I despise school,
School sucks. Teachers suck. It gets better, honestly. Dont sweat the small things. Let it roll off your back.
What I do when it comes to depression...I draw messy butterflies on the area I feel like I WOULD CUT and repeat until I calm down "Dont Hurt The Butterfly" I haven't cut before nor I dont think I will but when it comes to people I have so much trouble in words coming out my mouth, I find it easier to write it down but am afraid to give it to people even though I want to, I do have my brother who bullies me and a sister to suck up and nosy I can't talk to, a mom who's a loud over dramadic nosy gossipy person and a dad who shows no expression who travels all most all the time. Friends who don't care on what I say. Doctors only go for if you are 'SICK' with a flu or something and teachers mean mostly and school helpers (Idk what they are called I do know I cant spell it, I have a dyslexia so shut up) that always ask and tell parents...even when I dont want them to.
i read something on facebook the other day which makes total sense in this situation, it went something like this:
in times of darkness we all run and hide....when all we really want is to be found!
TURN YOUR HATE INTO PASSION- it really works. and this will be my next tattoo.
***** I was diagnosed with depression long before I've made a tattoo
The only family member I have that would understand is dead, so....
Me too. And I'm very sorry for your loss❤️
Yeah, Don't worry about it, it's okay. And I'm sorry for yours too :/
I'm sorry :(
Emily Dobson , YOU CAN TALK TO ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER, I am 64 and she is 17 , check me out in the comments above and when she comes over again perhaps she can get together with you on her facebook but BE CAREFUL WHO YOU SHARE WITH, THERE ARE SOME BAD MEN , WOMEN AND BULLIES OUT THERE . PLEASE, PLEASE call a helpline, you don't even have to give your name . Oh ,please listen when I tell you that you are precious.
Emily Dobson , YOU CAN TALK TO ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER, I am 64 and she is 17 , check me out in the comments above and when she comes over again perhaps she can get together with you on her facebook but BE CAREFUL WHO YOU SHARE WITH, THERE ARE SOME BAD MEN , WOMEN AND BULLIES OUT THERE . PLEASE, PLEASE call a helpline, you don't even have to give your name . Oh ,please listen when I tell you that you are precious.
I can't tell my mum because she's already depressed and has was
x-selfharmer for a daughter I can't upset her more. but I feel so lucky to have 3 amazing friends who undersand💕
I get times of depression that mainly occurs at night when I'm left alone with my thoughts. I get restless, I feel lost and I have no idea what to do with myself and I can sit there crying my eyes out in my room feeling worthless and, sometimes, suicidal. It's the worst feeling ever but recently I have found comfort in telling my parents (it does help). I went to the doctors but there are a few things I can't admit.
I can't admit that I have wanted to kill myself. I can't admit that I have self harmed a few times, especially to my parents. My mum said she would really start to worry about my mental state if I had self harmed, and she did ask me if I had but I couldn't tell her so I just said no. How do you tell parents things like that? How do you let them know that you're suicidal and have self harmed?
I go through the same exact thing. It's relieving to see another person who goes through the same thing.
I consider my life a failure, and I don't believe in my dream anymore, and I don't want to think about the past and what that did to me. I also think I bring shame to my family and my parents. I've also considered taking my life several times. As of recently too. however! There is one thing that keeps me strong and probably saved me from suicide a long time ago, and that's gift that I got from my parents at a very young age. My religion! I'm a christian and taking your life is not a option if you want to make it to heaven! Now you can start arguing about what religion is the correct one, and that religion all together is just rubbish nonsense, but that's irrelevant. The important thing is that religion, in whatever form you choose to believe in, is something to bring light and faith in life when it's at it's darkest. To help you along and for you to find comfort and have a goal in life. A goal that's not gonna be changed by how you feel, or what happen to you. I consider myself incredible lucky to have a religion that I can find comfort in. And I'm very great full towards my parents who made me believe in christianity at a young age! it has saved my life.
Thanks to it I know my life will be fine somehow! I don't know how nor when, but I just know it will happen someday! :) I'll survive...
I'm an athiest. Good job. :)
I'm glad your religion has saved you and that you can find comfort in it, some are not as lucky as you!
I'm glad your religion has saved you, and I wish I had more faith in God, but that's something I will have to earn as time goes on. But people who kill themselves are still good people, they just got lost, and I don't think God is so cruel to punish someone in eternal hellfire for being lost, getting hurt, or because of an illness they couldn't control. I'm sorry, I just don't believe that you won't go to heaven if you take your own life. I can't believe that.
This video was a major catalyst in me healing from depression. Thank you so much Emma. I was just a teen back then and now in my twenties I can look back and see that this helped quite alot.
I don't know what to do anymore I told my mum nothing happened I told my friends they told me to get over it!! I'm never happy I have to do what I call wear a mask all the time, basically pretend to be happy, and if I don't you can tell I'm depressed and sad. I just don't know what to do anymore I'm all alone and I cry every night, if anyone has any ideas please share them with me.
I know exactly how you feel. I personally think I've had depression for a whole year now. I also use the 'mask' method. I've got an old hair grip in my school blazer pocket which I've made sharp and in the majority of my lessons I'll sit there and scratch my hand until it bleeds. I'm starting to wonder if I even want to live anymore. Perhaps we can pull through this together??
You're parents are already proud of you. If they're not, they definitely should be
You didn't give up, you're here now, you have a second chance and you're going to create an amazing life. You deserve all the health and happiness in the world and it will come to you.
The metaphor is 127 hours, but it was far worse.
Wow it's ten minutes exactly
FairyDustedDaydream For me it's 10:01 haha
I don't care that this is an older video. I recently found your channel and you're simply amazing. You've got an attitude and personality that I admire. I wish I could not care and love myself the way you put off. Just this, makes me feel so much better. it makes me feel hopeful. I'm honestly going to use your advice and tips and look back on this when I need to. thank you, so much.
Depression "Like Drowning but you can see everyone around you breathing"
If you want to help a depressed friend, I might be able to give you a bit of advice! A few months ago, I was feeling depressed for about two weeks because it's my first year at college (I'm from the US, so it's my first time living 9 hours away from home). My grades were slipping despite all of my efforts, I wasn't sure how I could endure four whole years of constant failure, and, to top it all off, a weird part of my mind kept telling me that my friends don't care about me. I felt like if I didn't show up to meals, nobody would ever notice. So I stopped showing up. And almost immediately after that, I started getting texts and calls every time I missed a meal, and it was always my friends wanting to know where I was. They invited me to go places all the time even though they knew I wouldn't go, and when I did start going to meals again, my friends all wanted to know where I'd been. Even the people who I'd barely known were caring and concerned. That REALLY helped me.
Of course, I was only feeling depressed for two weeks, so I don't know if that really counts. If your friend is seriously depressed for a long time, those tips will almost definitely not be enough.
Emma
honestly. you have saved my life. I've been subscribed to you and watching your videos for over a year, and you do not know how much you've helped me. I love you.
Dear Emma could you talk about mother/daughter relationships? Specifically the bad ones?
I basically just told my brothers that I was depressed,and have been for a while, and they just didnt really care even though they know im suicidal they just dismiss it as if its joke. But its not. I told them how the only person that was giving me any sort of happiness is no longer part of my life and they decided to focus on the fact that I used to love someone rather than try help me so now I have no idea who to turn to as I have been struggling with depression for over 3 years and that may not seem like a long time and I know so many people have it so much worse, but it was for me! Its like when im not drowning I just feel nothing and I don't have the energy to do anything I just feel lifeless like ive lost my personality...
To be perfectly honest they probably think im just an attention seeking bitch but actually it just slipped out!
Sorry this is so long I just needed someone to share my thoughts with someone...so lucky you...:-/
You could tell your doctor, your friends, relatives.
coughdenialcough Tell your doctor, your friends, relatives, help lines. I also found listening to people talk about their experiences was helpful for me as it made me feel less alone and gave me hope. Try to surround yourself with people who make you happy, even if you don't tell them. Trust me, you don't want to isolate yourself even though you may want to.
I have been clean ( no cuts or burns) for 9 months now. I'm not going to tell you that you have saved my life but i think its right you should know you have made it so much better. Each time i come close to doing it again i turn on my laptop and i either laugh away any pain at your videos or i become inspired by them. You might not have made a difference to the whole world or everyone's lives, but in my life,my boyfriends life and my family's life... We will never be able to thank you enough for helping me through this. I was ruining everything good in my life because i didn't think i deserved it, because i hated myself and you managed to do what no one else could, you helped me see the good and the beauty in the world again and also in my self. Thank you so much for everything Emma.
You're the best human being on the planet. ✌️
Would you mind talking about eating disorders? Please and thank you. Also I love your videos, you are an amazing person and I hope life brings you nothing but good. :)
I'm currently battling depression, I found that the biggest help was telling my two closest friends. Of course that didn't magically fix everything but it was a relief to tell them. At first I thought I would be a burden on them but they helped me realize that if it were them i would want to know. when things are getting really bad I find it helps to write my thought down so I can process them more logically. To help me cheer up I have a playlist of song that always make me smile. I really appreciate your help Emma. Thank you!
I thought I could be strong but I really can't I want help but don't want people to feel sorry for me....
I can help others I always help my friends with this but don't think I should have the help I don't deserve it as much as my friends but I know they would feel the same way ... Ugh confusion
Taylor x i do not know you or your situation....but this is your life, your journey & you have made it this far! you are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit =) everything is just one moment in time...what you feel in one setting and rising of the sun will change forever and you can not return to it nor can you change it....but you can change what comes next...this is YOUR POWER...you own it! here if you ever need to chat or vent
hyphen that is really inspirational
Taylor x Hey, I felt exactly the same. If what the others suggest does't work, try thinking about it differently. Your clearly a compassionate person and enjoy helping others. Try asking yourself how would my friends feel if you didn't ask for help. Sad probable. If you can't tell them for you, tell them for them. They enjoy helping you as much as you enjoy helping them. But of course, don't rush it.
I just listen to "Hey Jude"- The Beatles; "Take a sad song, and make it better"
when this first came out, it helped me so so so much. i was really depressed when i was 13 and it was so hard to feel okay. after i saw your feel good 101 series, i started feeling better and this video in particular, was so so so so so helpful. i cannot thank you enough for what you've done by making this video. you're an amazing person emma, and i love you and youre just fucking perfect
wow i just don't want to said it to anyone and i have two friends and other who have depression and i think this will help thanks
I am going to therapist for the first time thursday. I have been going through this for 4 years now and i can't believe that i am actually seeking help. Bit scared tho.
Una Kaya
Good luck
Michal Moss-Dans Thank you so much.
i remember reading Emma's book fell good 101 and hearing depression is like falling in a well and being stuck and hearing it in this video made me happy and when ever i have a anxtiy attack i image myself in a well and someone throws me a rope and once i get out the person who helped me is emma thank you Emma for all the help and smiles
I have friends and when they found out that I was depressed and self-harming and that I was open about it, they said I was attention-seeking. They found out that I didn't eat, I was 'suicidal and anorexic' and the laughing stock for them. Even now, one year after, I am suicidal, a lot. I want to tell them, because I feel as if I need help but I don't want people to think that I cut for attention. I am still among the same friendship group and I really need someone but I don't trust them anymore. They teased me for cutting without realizing that they are responsible for some of the cuts.
I have overdosed and cut.
And now I am speaking out to random strangers because I am that fucking desperate for a confidant...
You're not attention seeking, don't ever think that! You're friends aren't real friends if they don't take you seriously. I know I'm just another stranger on the internet but if you ever need to talk, I'm here, and I'm sure there are many more people that are willing to do the same. Please stay strong x
+Izzi Larkins
First, do you really think that real friends would laugh at you because of your problems? I was depressed (still am a little) and because of that I didn't really go to school, I was scared what other people would think of me. I didn't eat well and sometimes not at all. I went to a professional, it helped.
Everyone has problems, but it does not give others the right to oppress you.
Stay strong, find something that you like, talk to your parents, find new friends, really, the point is to survive and to live like you want...
+Ivy Nana Thank you for your advice, I am trying to find different friends but struggling due to my personality. I am trying to get help from the schools councilor but struggling as I don't want to speak to my parents or family as I know that they would think that I am making it up and I know that the school would tell them... Kind of stuck and I don't really know who I can go to. I have also looked online but nothing is really helping and now I'm panicking because school starts soon and I hate it because I am ridiculously scared about other peoples opinions etc... I just don't understand anything...
+Izzi Larkins
OK. Try asking yourselves: "Why do you think your family will think that your >>making it up
+Izzi Larkins I have a eating dissortder,i cant stop eating..no joke..i literaly cant..i need to see a docotor
Wish had a friend like you. :)
The not doing things for other people is a huge part of my depression that I'm getting better with. My job in retail actually helped me in realizing that there is no reason to apologize for every little thing that happens, especially when it is not my fault. The people just do not deserve it half the time, and it serves to exasperate the problem. I told my mother last year about my depression and anxiety and she felt guilty but was all for me getting help. She felt like it was her fault and it wasn't but she helped me get into therapy and it has helped a ton. I have not taken any medicine because I do not wish to, but just being able to speak to someone and setting goals for myself instead of sleeping all day and feeling like a failure has helped tremendously.
You always know what to say💘💘💘😘
Emma: "Don't have depression on-and-off for seven years!"
Me "Dammit! I've done ten!"
Can we just talk about how incredible Emma is at speaking. I've never heard someone who can so perfectly explain something.
I fucking love you.