How do you overcome existential depression?

BrunoOh · 2015-01-09T18:59:45+00:00

Leave something behind for humanity - kids, an invention, something that others will appreciate after you're gone.

TheOneWhoWokeUp · 2015-01-09T19:47:41+00:00

One thing I wanna say is that if you are feeling existential depression I think the best method is to break the problem into two categories. The first is the existential part, the second the depressed part. First off your existentialism isn't unwarranted. This is the ultimate question, what is it to exist? We all at some point in our lives have an understanding of self in the world around us and question what our purpose is in existing. It is your responsibility to answer this question. That is part of what it takes to be a real man. Some men only really figure out what makes them truly happy later in life. This takes time of self reflection.

Next the depression side of things. This is really a physical condition. This when your body really just wants to be in sloth mode. Sleep all day. Always in sweatpants, what ever it might look like. Your body doesn't want to move. This is cured by LIFTING. I don't care how much caffeine, anger and Post hardcore music it takes to get you a pump, but nothing like it will make you physically feel better.

El_Serpiente_Roja · 2015-01-09T19:01:23+00:00

What difference does it make if your actions eventually mean nothing if your consciousness won't be around to care anyway?

You're wasting your time as a conscious sensual being, and the use of your senses whole you still have them. Don't be so arrogant as to overlook what you can actually do now because it's just not good enough to mean something forever.

Red_Invictus · 2015-01-09T20:19:28+00:00

In all seriousness, I'd recommend you look into and give meditation a try.

The number one thing that compelled me to post was what you said here;

I spent the last few days with my girlfriend and couldn't properly enjoy anything with the knowledge of my own mortality in the back of my head.

As we would say in the meditation community....YOU ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS. You are judging these thoughts, and you are caught up in attachment. You couldn't "properly enjoy yourself" because you have an attachment to that state - wanting to enjoy yourself, you want to be there more often than not. You have to learn to be happy with your own company, and not to judge yourself just because you have some thoughts. No matter what the thoughts are, they are not you - simply observe and let them pass. You are your actions and what you decide to act on. The human brain cannot stop thinking, it's literally impossible, it only stops thinking when you're dead.

Also, part of being a man in TRP is having a bedrock of solid frame to fall back on. In the spirit of this for meditation, I like to visualize myself as a mountain. The thoughts in your head are simply just useless, formless, floating clouds. Clouds do not have any remote effect on, push or pull at all on a goddamn mountain. Be the mountain.

Putting all of this aside, clinical real depression is real, and I would encourage you to consider seeking treatment or help in some form for it. Good luck OP.

alpha_n3rd · 2015-01-09T20:25:27+00:00

every few minutes or so, I have been reminded by this in the form of intrusive thoughts

Honestly think you should see a mental health professional, you sound like you are in need of professional help.

Think about all the orgasms yet to come (no pun intended)

randarrow · 2015-01-09T21:15:07+00:00

Read this . Helps quantify and help you understand what you are going through.

Existential depression specifically? Remember, that although there is no point to things, there's no point to getting upset about it either.

Time heals. Get help if it doesn't.

kingofpoplives · 2015-01-09T19:35:36+00:00

You need to engage with the present instead of worrying about the future. This existential dread is all rooted in future events like your death, the end of relationships, etc. If you stop obsessing over these thoughts, you mind can return to the present where life is actually lived.

The first step in this is recognizing the negative thought spiral and cutting it off. You realize you are thinking about the meaninglessnes of existence, you just stop and put your mind to something else. Do that with diligence and things will change.

[deleted] · 2015-01-09T21:02:39+00:00

TRP, what do I do to regain my inner peace and stop feeling this bullshit?

do you understand logically that the issue is mute? death is irrelevant the only thing that matters is living, how you live and how great of a life you are. There is not utlimate optimal future. There is only the now and how you manage that "now".

Once you get that, you just have to tackle the irational anxiety: give your brain a real taks, a real conundrum something he can solve, because your brain is trying to figure out death because it's bored.

Your nutrition and your workout regiments also play a important role in regulating your mood so you could look into making adjustments there as well.

Tezrekkt · 2015-01-10T04:01:23+00:00

The problem is your emotional state, not your perspective. Your emotional state is fucking up your perspective. You haven't reached the point of "eh, fuck it, so I'll die eventually, no reason to hurry the process." you're still trying to reason with a reality that is vastly beyond your control. The thing that helped me was realizing that everything is pointless, value is a human construct, to assign value is to be human. If there is no point, why take life so seriously? I then decided the purpose of my own life and moved on without looking back. We have this privileged position to watch humanity grow from its infancy to a global society, it's a wonderful time to be alive. There's so much shit going on all the time in this world, I barely have time to sit still. Everyone in the world is playing a game of make believe, why not join in the fun? Seriously dude, see a therapist.

[deleted] · 2015-01-09T21:03:54+00:00

The only way to stop worrying about dying in the future is to get busy living in the present.

Dad7025 · 2015-01-09T21:16:47+00:00

Seek professional help for depression.

ThrowingMyslfOutther · 2015-01-09T21:26:21+00:00

[Serious]

Gamification.

You realize the ultimate outcome, so gameify the middle part.

That doesn't mean take it lightly, but it means, be experimental. Savor the moment, make the future a moment to be savored. Shed the indoctrination that has be put upon you by the commercial masses.

And I rarely if ever suggest anything resembling religion. But check out Buddhism maybe?

byronshadow · 2015-01-09T22:14:58+00:00

Exercise. Take a vitamin C supplement. Don't stay up late at night. Take an evening class in something you're interested in if you or work isn't very stimulating. Jettison negative people - life's too short to hang out with emotionally draining people and drama-causers.

Create a male space that gives you a sense of belonging. I like to host firepits where my friends and I grill meat and talk without any girlfriends/wives/kids pestering us. It's like we're a bunch of cavemen on a hunting trip.

JakofClubs · 2015-01-09T22:29:46+00:00

What you have stumbled upon is freedom and it's terrifying at first. It's the weight of knowing that, ultimately, you are the one responsible for your actions and your place in the world. It is only in our darkest hour that we may realize that the world doesn't owe us anything or give meaning to our lives -- we give meaning to the world by our very existence and by the sheer force of our will.

If it's any consolation, only smart people are afflicted with existential depression. You never see poor, inner-city black youths with existential depression.

I'd also recommend taking vitamin D if you live in a northern climate. Depression can have chemical roots.

sokolske · 2015-01-10T06:51:05+00:00

/r/Buddhism helped me regain inner peace.

[deleted] · 2015-01-10T07:06:18+00:00

Grow, spiritually. Find God, take LSD, meditate, do whatever you have to do to realize your place in the world

[deleted] · 2015-01-10T19:17:28+00:00

You meditate. I know what you mean, in a way, but don't let the inevitability of death prevent you from living. In fact, it should do the exact opposite.

There is no purpose for life unless you make one. So make one! Self-expression is the key component to enjoying a happy life, so pick up some kind of medium in that sense. It could be artistic, could be scientific, anything.

I notice that there is a sort of line that we have to walk, a line between concern and unconcern. You make a difference to the many lives around you that could change their views or their life. We all have a universe inside us, so in that respect, your actions and your attitude can ripple all the way out to the farthest reaches of the void.

Title	How do you overcome existential depression?
Author	[deleted]
Upvotes	11
Comments	24
Date	January 9, 2015 5:59 PM UTC (11 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/2rvm3n/how_do_you_overcome_existential_depression/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/how-do-you-overcome-existential-depression.192570 https://theredarchive.com/post/192570

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