Overcoming the Pain of Depression

In this video, author and mental health educator Douglas Bloch talks about how to use coping resources to change the pain of depression from unbearable to bearable, so that the person who suffers from depression can release despair and embrace hope.
To visit my personal website which contains links to all of my books, websites, and newsletters, go to douglasbloch.com
To visit my depression recovery website, go to healingfromdep...
To visit my website on suicide prevention, go to www.overcoming...
To contribute to this channel so that its healing information can reach more people, visit / douglasbloch
To sign up for a free newsletter that provides valuable e-tips for healing from depression, click here: forms.aweber.c...

[@kbderek610]

Biggest coping skill. Learn to forgive yourself. The guilt depression makes U feel is out of this world!

[@shirleykaye4344]

Misplaced guilt almost killed me, as I pretty much stopped eating for a few weeks and ended up in the hospital. Everyone would remind me and make me say “I did the best I could. I did what I thought was right. I believed the experts instead of my gut. I have no reason to feel guilty. “. It has taken me several years to forgive myself, and every once in a while, in a weak moment, that twinge of guilt tries to get in my head. Taco Platter, you are so right!

[@DouglasBloch]

I agree that it is important to forgive oneself. Here's a video I made called "forgive yourself for your mistakes." I think you'll find it helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5a7mWmdhdN6iKM

[@klanderkal]

Wow,... I read your comment. So spot on! I tried. But still cannot forgive myself because I'm suffering the consequences of my mistake, and the guilt I have, it was my fault. I have severe depression,... and my life was destroyed. Devastated... 🙏

[@kylemos1088]

Thanks Douglas, it looks like I'm going through a depressive episode again. Had one 3 years ago and you helped me get through. It lasted 6 months and I hope this one doesn't last as long. You are a blessing , Douglas. Thank you

[@DouglasBloch]

Good luck Kyle. I know you can come out the other side of this

[@ARCASIAUK]

Doug you are getting me through some really tough times. I am doing my best at the moment! And I know my brain is repairing, Ive just taken a few steps back. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@shirleykaye4344]

Hi Alex, hang in there, read your bracelet "This too shall pass", and know there are a lot of people who care about you. I've been having some challenges the last few weeks and so have a bunch of other people. There are plenty of possible reasons as the world is in the grip of this pandemic as well as all the usual things. Awareness is your prompt to do some things that have helped in the past.

[@mohammedalshannat2385]

Great video as usual, Douglas. I wish our paths will cross one day. I dream meeting you in person.

[@birdielove5733]

Thank you! You’ve given me such good advice and most of all hope with all your videos. I’m 62 and I’ve been through a number of breakdowns/depressions, and am going through one now. I’ve always come out the other side to live and laugh again. I have to remember that as I patiently wait to feel better. May God bless you and all here reading the comments.

[@DouglasBloch]

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you understand the prince of love, "what goes down must come up."

[@dailydoseofmedicinee]

Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems👍

[@DouglasBloch]

Yes, your point is very well taken

[@ericg1222]

I remember listening to you when I was going thru depression and anxiety a few years ago I’m happy to say I am healed and back to my regular self but better thank you For you’re videos 😊

[@DouglasBloch]

You’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re feeling better

[@patrickdoherty4527]

Great to see such a positive comment. I'm going through a tough time now and am hoping I will feel good again soon.

[@mjllorg6631]

Since I'm Listening to you, i am more aware about everything specially in times of my madness, sadness, loneliness. Thank you Douglas

[@DouglasBloch]

You are welcome.

[@user-io4fj4ii4z]

love your videos .Please dont stop posting .

[@DouglasBloch]

I plan to continue doing it.

[@chanphoieng1650]

Thanks you for your advice. I learned tremendously from you. You are my guru. My best cope I have been using at any worst situation is to repeatedly tell myself is to " love and respect myself". Then other things will fall into places.

[@DouglasBloch]

I'm glad the videos have been helpful

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

It was an unwelcome surprise and not knowing what was going on made it worse. A few years later and I'm getting out of it. Eating keto made a big difference.

[@shirleykaye4344]

I like how you got Bruce kitty into the background with the green screen! This video is very helpful and is desperately needed by so many people right now. I really like the list of Coping Skills as each item is one simple action which doesn't need explaining. I'm sure this video is going to help a lot of people. I remember ages ago during one of my prior depression/anxiety periods, I really did think I would never get better. It was like I was in the bottom of a deep dark well and there was no way out. This video would have really helped me back then!

[@jacob9739]

praying for you this am

[@DouglasBloch]

Good to hear from you again

[@marshalantonio619]

Same here. S B you are cute. Hope you don't mind us engaging in a conversation

[@brianw.5230]

Douglas is the man!

[@metsot]

There are still these people that want to make themselves believe that people who suffer mental illness are in fact in some way be less capable or weaker than they themselves. The resilience and emotional strenght needed survive to serious mental illness leaves me without words. Completely.

[@DouglasBloch]

Very well stated. In order to overcome something like a serious mental illness, you do have to be strong and resilient

[@GeorgeMakrides]

This is what I needed you hear right now. Thanks for all the videos Doug. And thanks for all the understanding and encouragement. And for being a good example. Ps. You look good :-)

[@DouglasBloch]

Thank you.

[@azdoglover7]

Thank you for being here. I needed this today! You speak the truth and with great wisdom. :-))

[@jbarkerhill92]

There also has to be differentiation between healthy vs. unhealthy coping resources. Recreational drugs are quite an effective coping resource in the short term, but destroy you over time if you’re an addict. Also, I think sometimes you just have to learn to gracefully deal with suffering, and can’t rely on remission of the pain. Sometimes there are life circumstances out of your control that keep you stuck in suffering. And as you strive to change those circumstances you just have to bear the suffering. But you can appreciate times of respite when they do come

[@MCE593]

Thank you Douglas! Vey informative video! Exactly what I needed! You are such a blessing!!! 🙏🏻🌈🙏🏻

[@DouglasBloch]

Thanks Evan. I hope that you are feeling better

[@MCE593]

@@DouglasBloch doing a little better. My doctor got me on 10mg of Celexa now. Talking 1mg of Ativan in the morning and 2 mg of Ativan to sleep at bedtime. Hopefully these dosages of Ativan will decrease as the Celexa works. I been trying to go on my treadmill 2x a day. I have not been going too fast because my insides of my body is still healing from my surgery. And of course listening to your videos is also my coping mechanism. Is that chart the same one in your book Healing From Depression,? because I have that book. Wishing you the best always, Evelyn

[@pakmattempe2848]

Hi Douglas.. recovering from depression is like a rollercoaster ride..ur coping strategies really helps.. TQ

[@DouglasBloch]

I' glad they are helpful

[@beyondthescenes7430]

Thank you so much for this, you just gave a name to what I thought was just me losing my mind and also a curative method for it🤗

[@TheGatewayProductions]

Big thanks for this video! Depression is horrible but we can crush it!

[@henrikpersson1962]

I hear those saying that the pain of depression is not something they wish on anyone other, but I think those who treated me like shit during my depression by not respecting it should go thru the same thing. They deserve it. I feel no remorse thinking that either.

[@jessicayms2135]

Another great video.. Thank u so much for the sharing your experience and encouraging messages, have been really help... God bless u Douglas😊

[@DouglasBloch]

You are welcome.

[@TheHotdogstand]

First, I love the photoshoped cat in that background haha. But more importantly, you've given me hope in what was a pretty dark time for me. Thank you Douglas Bloch :)

[@TheHotdogstand]

Also shoutout to the PNW! I'm a Portland boy, born and raised!

[@DouglasBloch]

Thanks for the shout out. I'm glad you're feeling better

[@josejimenaz]

a great n best way is as well to find simple but motivational videos of nostalgic times for me is seeing my favorite wrestler inspire me when times r tough

[@joho9815]

You look nice all dressed up. Nice background too. Great video. I have that book.

[@josejimenaz]

Hearing nostalgic piano sounds great and powerful for the inner child

[@helenimdad4004]

Chronic insomnia feels like its killing me. GP can't prescribe sleeping tablets or diazepam anymore. Became treatment resistant to antidepressants, quit my job due to not being able to do it and life has become worse. Listening to Douglas Bloch for hope.

[@DouglasBloch]

I have done a number of videos on sleep that will help you. I will place the links on this comment tomorrow. In the meantime there are other sources on the Internet you can look at. One of my videos is called “what if it’s 4 AM and you can’t get back to sleep.“ The other one is called “the most important thing you can do for your health.“ And I think the third video is called the role of sleep and in healing from depression. You can search for them on the website

[@helenimdad4004]

@@DouglasBloch Thanks Douglas. Will revisit those videos. Recently off mirtazapine which could be causing it? Tried promethazine last night, same early morning waking with bit of breathing difficulty, made me drowsy though and managed bit more sleep later. I read you are on wellbutrin, how is that working for you? I heard it can cause more anxiety and insomnia but also heard it can help with smoking cessation.

[@DouglasBloch]

Well Buterin does cause anxiety and some people but fortunately not for me. I hope you are working with a prescriber

[@mselbit]

I pray (mitpalel, in Hebrew) daily, do yoga or Qigong every day. I have a purpose, my work, which is very meaningful to me. When I pray, I burn sage to accompany the prayer for "ketores" or the spices that were burned by the High Priest in the Temple in Jerusalem. My anxiety and depression fluctuates so I take medication the doses of which my psychiatrist says I can vary based on my feeling, vary within limits. I also have taken your advice and keep a journal of "intentions." This condition has been with me for about one year now and is usually tolerable. I left my email here so please send that document you cited in the video. Thanks for all you do.

[@no-vaseline7467]

I wished I'd have had the knowledge you have to persuade my brother not to end his life. Very well presented and received. Thank you Douglas.

[@DouglasBloch]

I am very sorry about your brother. There is a website called allianceofhope.org that is designed to support those who have lost loved ones to suicide. I have also created a website to help people who are struggling with suicidal pain. It is www.survivingsuicidalpain.com

[@no-vaseline7467]

@@DouglasBloch Thank you, your response means a lot to me.

[@richardfarrell6098]

These strategies (and btw, I would add *getting a massage* to the list) did two things for me, as you point out so well, they helped me hang on day to day, and they moved me closer (I believe) to my goal of feeling better.

[@DouglasBloch]

Thanks Richard.

[@mindfulnesswithchristpodca5795]

Great video Douglas! Love all the new animations and setting.

[@iluvj50]

Alternate answer to the opening joke: "He just didn't dig it."

[@edwardsteiner8086]

Excellent video, as always. So true about adding more coping skills when your (what I call) in The Black Hole of depression.

[@margaretdooley2742]

Brilliant Doug you are my hero

[@mikebordner3820]

Great stuff Doug, keeping up the great work as usual I see 😊.

[@DouglasBloch]

Nice to. hear from you Mike. We dodged a bullet in Washington DC

[@mikebordner3820]

@@DouglasBloch that we did, scary, scary stuff.

[@sharonbrisbane3747]

I've just found you on KZbin. Thank you for the content.

[@DouglasBloch]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@pappmaschee0153]

Great Video, helps me getting through. Thank you, Douglas.

[@DouglasBloch]

You're welcome.

[@arial.808]

Thank you!You are wonderful!

[@DouglasBloch]

I’m glad the video was helpful

[@sunset33533]

A nice book to have is "30 Days to Reduce Depression" by Harper Daniels. It takes a play by play mindfulness approach.

[@DouglasBloch]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@josejimenaz]

Yes a talented pianist can heal your depression n inspire u😀🎹

[@lesboes6439]

Good video and good advice. Thank you very much Douglas. I would like the chart too.

[@DouglasBloch]

Send an email and I will send you one

[@mkeupnext]

It would be a great time to talk about seasonal depression

[@DouglasBloch]

I have a video exclusively focused on seasonal affective disorder. See if you can look it up in the video section

[@terribrooks439]

Great video and would love chart!

[@DouglasBloch]

Simply email me and I will send it to you. [e-mail]

[@atzypadron-urbina9312]

Thanks for the useful video for me. Doyglas sent me the chart

[@josejimenaz]

Yes nature can heal u

[@libs5382]

Thank you very much Sir

[@DouglasBloch]

You are welcome

[@sereneismail2129]

Thank you sir 🙏🙏🙏

[@vamsi3735-t3i]

It follows

[@Blah-blah-blah79]

New subscriber here. Could you do a video on anxiety and intrusive thoughts please? Thank you

[@terencereed7957]

I’ve been struggling for 5 years with ocd / depression and nothing seems to be working. It’s living hell. Just don’t want to wake up each day.

[@TheYoli182]

Since the pandemic I have been depressed and anxious. I've been having panic attacks too..

[@DouglasBloch]

This has been true for many people. You have somebody you know who you could reach out for Counseling

[@user-cb5hj2lc4f]

My episode started 3 months ago...I was doing so well too well...I forgot I ever suffered with this disease now Im here in clinical depression wondering how Ill survive cause Im not used to it

[@benjaminjensen7402]

Know have you feel, Hope you get well

[@Krystal620]

🥰

[@TigranKhachatryan]

If you have symptoms of depression, lose of energy, apathy fear, anxiety there is no need to take medecine you just need to let your negative past leave your body. Let us know about you and we will try to find solutions personally for you.:-)

[@dilaraaydogus7935]

Dear Douglas, thank you for thls video, yet I have a crucial question: why would I ve experiencing this painful, unbearable depression if I had the strength to achieve these coping resources? I also lost almost all of the ones that existed in the beginning of the depression. So what should I do if I am a non-functioning, self-destructive person? Thank you very much again for your precious help.

[@DouglasBloch]

This is where you need to get the assistance of something outside of yourself to heal, ideally a therapist or a counselor. You could also have the help of a good friend or family member or someone from your spiritual community. Also groups can be particularly powerful for healing. Iran support groups for 20 years. You could attend 12 step group. There’s also an organization called Lionrock recovery that offers groups online.

[@dilaraaydogus7935]

@@DouglasBloch Thank you for your thoughtful response, best

[@DouglasBloch]

You’re welcome.

[@malikzafar7232]

Excellent as usual.. kindly consider my request on priority,Im at v critical serious stage,Ur xtra ordinary help, efforts can only heal me... im still waiting

[@umeshlimbu2799]

Thank you for the video. What age were you when you were first diagnosed with major depression and how old r you now?

[@DouglasBloch]

I was diagnosed when I was 26 and I am now 71

[@hannahjohnson7238]

Mr. Douglas bloch does all depression lift iv been struggling 6 months and things seem to be getting better. Thanks

[@DouglasBloch]

I'm glad to see things are improving

[@guitarserenadior9399]

Please help. I've been suffering from intense darkness and torment of Major Depression for 15 years of my life.... another thing is I've never learnt a startegy of how to effectively deal with pain, trauma and tragedy in a sustainable way...and there's been SO much of it in my life and. Please help, I feel that descension coming because I'm feeling more and more suicidal every day...any resources or pointing in the right direction would be greatly apprciated..thanks! I'm reaching out to whoever I can for support as I feel the darkness creeping back in...thanks

[@DouglasBloch]

I understand your suffering. I’ve been there many times. There are therapists to work with people who have suffered trauma. If you can find one that will be really helpful. If you go to the website Psychology Today find a therapist you can type in your ZIP Code and you will get a list of therapists. Also, I have two websites that can help you learn strategies for overcoming your pain and suicidal thoughts. The first is overcomingsuicidalpain.com The second website is healingfromdepression.com At the moment it is having problems, but these will fix within the next two weeks. Good luck. You might want to come to our live chat every Sunday and get supported by people who are in the same situation. Simply go to the homepage of my KZbin channel at noon Pacific time and click on the link when it appears. You can get through this.

[@guitarserenadior9399]

@@DouglasBloch Hey! Thanks so much for the reply! I didn't see this until now. I will check out both of your websites and attend your live chat this Sunday! It feels like I'm burning and on fire. Thank you so much for the response. What I've noticed understandably is low and behold, since COVID hit, I feel extremely isolated and cut off from the rest of the World, and other people and that's just never a good thing when it comes to me...whenever I get super depressed, I tend to feel better when I'm with larger therapeutic communal groups of loving people advocating peace, love and acceptance...but I don't know how to find that right now..and it's scaring the crap out of me. Thanks for the response.

[@SjorsHoukes]

Hm. So if my coping strategies are not working… I just need to have more of them? I am working so hard, and nothing is working.

[@DouglasBloch]

I'm sorry to hear that. Are you seeing a counselor or psychiatrist? What kinds of medication and treatments have you tried? There are many

[@lesleyclaeke7462]

Hi, I would love a copy of this chart please.

[@DouglasBloch]

Send me an email with the words I would like a copy of the short in your subject line. [e-mail]

[@anneharbaugh9913]

Please send the list.

[@DouglasBloch]

I would need your email address

[@zambooka10]

What a crock. When people have severe debilititaing depression, nothing helps. These coping strategies may help people who are mildly depressed, not severely depressed when cognitive functions decline because of years of severe despression. Also major memory problems happen after years of severe despression. Mine is treatment resistant. I can't wait until I end my pathetic existence. My family will be so much better without me

[@DouglasBloch]

I’m sorry you feel so much despair. Have you considered reaching out to a mental health professional. The body and mind can be resilient.

[@josejimenaz]

have an idea of funny things like jim carrey the mask n laugh hard is a way overcoming the pain of depression

[@vamsi3735-t3i]

Death is the only way to overcome the pain of depression.

[@hannahjohnson7238]

Keep strong keep up the fight your strength is more than depression im praying for you keep fighting.

[@kbderek610]

With proper help you can recover

[@shirleykaye4344]

Don’t give up five seconds before the miracle occurs!

[@154421535]

I think there are some people that suffer from depression their whole lives. Mine comes and goes.

[@154421535]

Your hair looks good Doug.