Twitter users share viral tips on how to tackle depression
![The hashtag has encouraged users to share real life stories of how they overcome depression. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pw1ughZSPVOZtYo1I9L8KA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-06/2cbce040-933b-11e9-af9f-59d28005825d)
The hashtag #HowIFightDepression is trending on Twitter, prompting sufferers to share their real life experiences.
It has encouraged more than 7,000 people to offer up advice and suggestions to other Twitter users.
Everything from cuddling animals to seeking therapy has been added to the hashtag. It has also helped to open up channels of communication between people battling depression.
More than 300 million people worldwide display signs of depression, The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates.
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Psychotherapist, Christine Elvin, believes that “realising you’re not alone” by using hashtags like this can be a real help to people suffering from mental health issues.
“Social media is criticised a lot, but in instances like this, it can be really helpful. Realising you’re not alone is such a big part of any mental health issue and the advice offered in this hashtag is really uplifting to read.”
Clinical depression is defined as a “low mood that lasts for a long time, and affects your everyday life”.
People suffering from clinical depression may find themselves feeling hopeless and with low self-esteem, feeling guilt-ridden or intolerable of others, struggling to sleep or having suicidal thoughts, according to the NHS.
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A lot of users have praised their dogs for helping them battle depression. Dogs can help with depression for various reasons, not least because of the walking and outdoors time.
#HowIFightDepression
I really don’t know how to explain how these 7 boys and my baby really impacted my life. Just going home and seeing her is the best part of my day. Watching bts and listening to their music videos just keeps me going and loving myself even more everyday. 💜 pic.twitter.com/WaYXc6VX91— A.🍄 (@amberlylopez01) June 19, 2019
I don't fight it, just tame it whenever it rears its ugly head.
Drugs, therapist, and when I am able to, lots of physical activity and getting all the TLC I can get from my wonderful circle of friends. And, oh, a golden retriever who saved my life.#HowIFightDepression pic.twitter.com/LHGWwgyUS7— Tatiana Pandora Saternus (@Favoreq) June 20, 2019
Others credited music in helping them to overcome feelings of depression.
One user wrote: “#HowIFightDepression, music, mostly.”
This response encouraged thousands of likes and retweets with people suggesting songs and albums that help them when they’re feeling low.
Some people were confused by the hashtag, saying that it “implies that you can just win and it’s over”.
People were torn by the terminology of the hashtag, but many said they found it “helpful” and “motivating”.
