I think I might be slipping into depression. How to prevent it?

For some time, I'm waking up at night crying without a certain reason. I also feel like I'm an "observer" whenever I'm with other people.
I relive all unpleasent situations in my life and remember constantly what mean someone said to me years ago.
I keep thinking about my childhood and what went wrong back then despite being 28 now.
I'm giving myself hard time for my past decisions.

How to stop?

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iamnikki · 31-35, F

That's called ruminating. I do the same thing.
My only solution has been to distract myself. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Find a hobby, do something you like, try something new, join a club, exercise, craft, read a book, whatever you can to distract yourself in the moment.

EbrietasTenorei

@iamnikki infortunately scientifically proven these are temporary solutions that don't affect the issue. Distraction is exactly that. A distraction. The way to lessen the issue is to sit with it, don't intellectualize it, let yourself feel the emotion and release. Take it from someone who had 10 to 16 panic attacks everyday for over 6 years. Distraction is a reward for the behaviour, not a solution or cure. You need to turn your attention inward and let the feelings of your inner child be felt and heard with empathy.

EbrietasTenorei

@iamnikki I. Recommend the channel HealthyGamerGG on youtube and their guide you can purchase for a modest fee that explains many workings of the brain and, how looking for solutions, we are actually worsening our mental health.

iamnikki · 31-35, F

@EbrietasTenorei yes, it is temporary, hence why the last sentence of my unedited reply states : "... whatever you can to distract yourself in the moment."
Thank you doctor.

EbrietasTenorei

@iamnikki sorry I must have missed that part. I don't know if you are mocking me (I'm neurodivergent) but I wrote these things only with good intentions in mind. I do not wish on anyone the hell I've been through.