My Top Ten Strategies for Healing From Depression

[@sequentivero3060]

Eighteen years ago when I was hospitalized with anxious depression following a suicide attempt, one of the therapists handed out copies of Douglas Bloch's book, "When Going Through Hell, Don't Stop." At that point I was so discouraged; nothing seemed to be helping and I felt totally hopeless. I was in such bad shape that I could barely sit still and focusing on anything was out of the question. Along with the treatment I received, Bloch's book was instrumental in my recovery. It offered the most practical advice on dealing with the day-to-day agony of depression, and showed me how to put one foot in front of the other. It taught me how to hang on until I felt better. I was thrilled to discover recently that he has a youtube channel aimed at helping people recover. I hope that people suffering from depression and looking for help will come across this channel because of the practical guidance and hope it offers. Douglas, you are amazing. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.

[@DouglasBloch]

You are more than welcome. I am happy that you found your way out of the abyss of depression.

[@DouglasBloch]

Thank you very much

[@oliae2898]

"hurricanes eventually run out of energy" - thank you for this. I'm absolutely drained. This gives me hope.

[@shirleykaye4344]

Hi Douglas and greetings to all! I haven’t been on here in a long time, but today’s video is a gem, I picked the right day to look at the channel. Through this channel, I’ve connected with several people, some correspondence is a bit sparse (that is on me!) but I have bonded with someone I “met” through this channel. We have decided to be a healing team. We text each other every day, a check-in, we talk on the phone frequently, we pull each other up when one of us stumbles, and we understand each other. Our friendship is a “No judgment zone”. I hope when I am well to go to California to see my relatives and to meet this woman in person. Thank you to Peadar for keeping the contact list up to date. If you are new to this channel, welcome. Douglas is here sharing lessons often learned the hard way. He has been through hard times and uses the knowledge he gained to help others, us. And know that there are many supportive people who watch and participate in the Live Chats and who are interested in making friends with others in similar situations. Douglas, keep up the good work! You are saving lives and helping people get through difficult times! Sending love to all from rainy today but hot as the dickens lately Florida!❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗

[@DouglasBloch]

Thanks Shirley. It's great to hear from you again. Perhaps you can pop in on a live chat and say hello.

[@larrygillespie6110]

Glad I found this channel ... Thank You Douglas

[@DouglasBloch]

You are very welcome.

[@deathuponusalll]

If you can change the way you think you can change the way you feel and may I add you change the way you ARE, CBT has been wonderful in helping me getting rid of negative self thinking and reduce depression drastically in myself and I’ve had MDD since I was in elementary school. I thanks to CBT not only changed that negative self thinking and ruminations but also managed to be the kind and compassionate person and turn it inward to myself and that what was changed everything and I encourage everyone who’s currently suffering to do that, it won’t solve the whole problem BUT help tremendously. Life is beautiful and everyone should get joy from it. Be safe everyone ❤️ take care

[@ciarandevaney385]

deathuponusailll ,It's that easy

[@deathuponusalll]

@@ciarandevaney385 what Im trying to say is that it’s possible. Nothing worth doing or having is ever “easy” or comes “Easy”. It took me years but now it’s just something that doesn’t take effort (being compassionate towards oneself) and if I ever feel myself reverting back to negative self talk I have the skills necessary to combat it wether it’d be thought stopping and thought replacing or tell myself something very compassionate even if I don’t believe it at first

[@DouglasBloch]

I’m glad you have found some tools that work for you

[@chaunceylocklear3661]

Hello Douglas, I live in Port Townsend, WA. Four years ago my son was conceived, I finished my undergraduate degree (older student), moved, ended my romantic partnership with my wife, and dropped out of an MFT program for grad school, all in a four month period. I went through the deepest darkest night of the soul experience that i never knew was possible. The level of anxiety, pain, intrusive thinking, and inability to sleep and eat properly created a hellish eperience that had me fighting to survive for many weeks and months on end. I had to quite working and lost nearly everything I had, as I was consumed with worry with no day or night to break up the onslaught of pain. Your channel and book helped me immensely. It was a key part of my daily support routine. I am so deeply thankful to you, your writing, and for your film team. Your lists were part of the instruction book that I needed in addition to my real life support in order to make it through. I was on death's door, twisting and turning on the ground nearly unable to feel pleasure of any kind. The experience brought my soul to its knees, and then some. Still, to this day, I can weep with gratitude for how blessed I am to have made it through to see my son born and to be a compassionate coparent with his mom. I took medication for 3 years, only discontinuing sleep and anxiety meds a year ago. I feel like "myself" again before my major episode, but will go back to taking meds if I ever get close to where I was at that time. My recovery took years, but it's as if it all happened yesterday. So, thank you from my heart to yours for making a career/life choice to share your writing and time to communicate the lists and focus needed to make it through. Your authentic self comes through, and is so needed in the digital age where the internet is as powerful as what we experience in real life. I have so much more love and compassion for the brave and deep spirits that have to bare the pain of the darkest experiences imaginable. If you are someone going through this right now: Keep going, keep trying, ask for help, I am so sorry you're in so much pain, you will make it through, keep searching and practicing the steps you learn, I love you. My choice to live did come down to taking it all one day at a time.Thank you thank you thank you. Much love and blessings. Gratefully, Chauncey

[@DouglasBloch]

Thank you for your inspiring story of recovery. I hope to share it with other people to give them hope.

[@josejimenaz]

for me healing from depression are adventerous nostalgic experiences

[@youknowyoulikeit1000]

Thank you for helping us Douglas! 💞

[@DouglasBloch]

You're very welcome

[@brianw.5230]

Douglas rocks!!! What a genius saint. I love this guy.

[@ellis1621]

Totally agree Brian Douglas rocks .

[@chemicalbromance1911]

Yes, he is!! And he always takes the time to answer my comments. Props to him!!!

[@youknowyoulikeit1000]

My coworker gave me 4 crystals yesterday because I was anxious and want to quit my job🥴 (my birth name is Crystal too lol) they made me happy and eased my mood. I just stared at them all day. I’m interested in learning more about them.

[@ritaaneesia8707]

You’re definitely helping me! Thank you so much 😊

[@DouglasBloch]

You are more than welcome.

[@i-am-abraham]

Thank you Douglas, for always being there and offering your support and encouragement. Could I suggest one additional item to the list? - watching your channel :)

[@DouglasBloch]

I’m glad you have found the videos helpful.

[@EarlJohannaber]

Watched it twice and took notes 1 through ten

[@EarlJohannaber]

Have set the intention to heal from depression and am trying to exercise everyday by walking around my house and lifting a couple of bricks for 🏋 weights.

[@ellis1621]

Thanks Douglas 😊 So happy these reminder videos pop up . Have a great week

[@DouglasBloch]

The same to you.

[@justmadeit2]

Doug, I’m in a very bad place mentally at the moment, I can’t sleep, my stomach is in knots, I have no appetite and I’ve remembered something from the past that I feel great shame about, all of this has made me feel dangerously low

[@DouglasBloch]

I’m sorry to hear this. However, you can recover. If you have depression, you can go to for a good therapist and maybe try medication. As for shame, some good psychotherapy, or even group therapy could help you release that. There are tools and coping strategies available. It’s a matter of connecting with them. Perhaps you can find a friend to help you find these resources, or call your local Mental health agency. You can also join my live chat by going to my channel every Sunday at noon Pacific Coast time and click on the link that appears. You will get good support from other people in your situation.

[@justmadeit2]

@@DouglasBloch Thanks Doug, I appreciate the reply

[@DouglasBloch]

You're more than welcome. I hope my feedback gave you some guidance about how to heal from depression. Here's a book I wrote called Healing from Depression that I think you will find very helpful. www.amazon.com/gp/product/0892541555/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

[@brianw.5230]

​@justmadeit2 how are you feeling now? I recommend the amazing book "Feeling Great" by Dr. David Burns.

[@justmadeit2]

@@brianw.5230 Not great. I made a recovery a few months after my comment a year or so ago then I crashed down again in December. It’s been a rough 4 months

[@paddybrady5874]

Douglas book helped me when I had a bad reaction to a antidepressant

[@Kelli-bo9os]

Im so glad i saw this again. Its a fantastic, concise video. Reminds me of the quote from Maya Angelou, "Every storm runs out of rain." Im still waiting here with my umbrella. Thank you for your work.

[@DouglasBloch]

Thank you for the comment in the quotation

[@almighty.saumya]

Wow that's so helpful!!! Thanks doc :)

[@prasadchate3602]

How long you have been suffering from ?

[@EarlJohannaber]

Thank you!

[@DouglasBloch]

You’re welcome.

[@takaN1981]

Thank you so much for the great video and advice! I

[@prasadchate3602]

Very informative and precise. As I recovering well from depression but still one of the question which bothers me is that relatively most of my happiness is still dependent on single person , is it good or not and what shall I do further! More power to you Douglas 🤝

[@adeelahmad1097]

You are fortunate that you have some happiness. I have none at all :-(

[@DouglasBloch]

H Mellen, there are ways for you to overcome insomnia. I have a number of videos on the subject including "medication's that are prescribed for insomnia," "the role of sleeping healing from depression, "what happens if it's 4 AM and you can't get back to sleep." I think you will find these videos helpful.

[@prasadchate3602]

@@adeelahmad1097 you will eventually learn to accept the things and to get happiness in your life ! Don’t worry brother everything will fall in place just live one day at a time 🤝

[@LetArtsLive]

I think your channel helped me to be alive still after that one girl and now my son died I'm at a deep depression of my life I don't even know where my son's remains are they took his funeral from me I raised him alone and the mother came and took the remains and change the funeral arrangements and I don't even know what my own son is being buried there's nothing that could happen worse than what happened to me and my son who died I don't think killing someone is as bad as taking away the funeral from somebody

[@LetArtsLive]

Funerals are for healing they took that from me cop cares why my kid died he was gay he was addicted and they didn't even take a fingerprint

[@DouglasBloch]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[@hmellen1611]

How can i sleep ?i haven't have a decent sleep for a very long time i hate depression

[@i-am-abraham]

So sorry to hear that, I experience the same. Two things that often help me are not eating too close to bed time and having enough time to wind down without screens eg meditation, journaling, affirmations. Good luck, it will get better!

[@DouglasBloch]

If you can treat the depression successfully, the sleep will usually get better. There are also a number of good medication that can be used for insomnia. I have a video called formedication‘s that are prescribed for insomnia.“ I also have a video what if it’s 4 AM and you can’t get back to sleep.“ I don’t have a number of videos on sleep. Just go to the homepage of the channel and in the search button and type in the word sleep

[@jvjoe4376]

I use a hand full pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds contain magnesium, which helps to relax muscle and tension. I buy a small bag of unsalted pumpkin seeds.

[@jvjoe4376]

Thanks for posting. Always great advise! Peace!

[@carolmusselman8859]

I seem to wake up around 3am

[@chemicalbromance1911]

Not quite related to the subject of your video, but do you think the sense of not belonging is related to anxiety and depression? Or where it might come from? Thank you!! 😀

[@DouglasBloch]

Absolutely. We humans are social animals, and when we don't feel connected to others it adversely affects our mood. That's why reaching out for support is the second step of my mental health recover program.

[@gurdevsehmi3636]

Hi Douglas, your channel is very inspirational and is helping me. However, do you cover OCD in any of your videos?

[@DouglasBloch]

I have two videos on the subject. “How to get free of OCD.” And “how to stop intrusive and obsessive thoughts.” You can find them on the channel

[@gurdevsehmi3636]

@@DouglasBloch much appreciated. Keep up the good work as I'm sure all viewers appreciate it

[@LetArtsLive]

Is there a video today a live one??

[@DouglasBloch]

Live shows her every Sunday at noon Pacific time

[@wendyberger8892]

Douglas…did you take anti-depressants? I’m reluctant as I’ve tried many of them and the side effects were intolerable while I’m still working full time. Even if you take medicine, the meds themselves don’t take your problems away.

[@DouglasBloch]

I am not trying to be deceptive. I am giving people the opportunity to see a video that they missed the first time.

[@wendyberger8892]

@@DouglasBloch I guess I’m not following. I’m just wondering if you yourself have used medication for the clinical depression you experienced and was it helpful?

[@LetArtsLive]

How can you wear a turtleneck in the summertime?

[@monaebreak561]

You just put it on? 🤔

[@christopherking9338]

Portland, Oregon = Wacky Weather 😜😜

[@DouglasBloch]

I only work when I’m in my studio in the basement where it is cool. When I go outside and in short sleeves

[@sundjerbob6229]

You heal your depression?

[@DouglasBloch]

I have managed The symptoms so that I could lead a decent life

[@sundjerbob6229]

@@DouglasBloch how?

[@DouglasBloch]

I have a recovery program that I talk about in my book healing from depression. I also talk about coping strategies on this channel

[@monaebreak561]

Hahaha Dr. Spock? 😄

[@skepsys]

stop posting the same videos twice in a row. not only you re-post old videos, now you almost consecutively post same video twice, with different names and thumbnails, to get views. i complained about this some weeks ago and obviously you dont see the problem with it. its wrong and youre doing it to trick people into getting you views. this time i reported this video and your channel for this deceiving practice.

[@DouglasBloch]

I thought I had responded to you. I am giving people the opportunity to see a video that they might have missed the first time. Also, when I republish old videos I am clearly letting them know that it is an old video and giving them the opportunity to look at it if they want to.