Depression can drain your energy, leaving you feeling empty and fatigued. depression movies – movies to beat depression 1 #1. A film may move them deeply. No matter what you struggle with you can still be the kindness you want to find in the world. California residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. Lars is a likable introvert who has experienced real trauma in his life. Birgit Wolz, PhD, MFT, a mostly-retired therapist in California used ‘cinema therapy’ (CT) with some of her clients. It made me see that I was not alone, and when you're suffering from depression that is a feeling that is immeasurably helpful. Though there are too many contemporary movies on this list, you should see them all. No matter how daunting the journey, never give up; there is always a way home. 47 Movies That Helped People Cope During Their Depression "It's my happy place – I'm seven again and nothing is wrong with the world." 21 Best Movies about Depression and Anxiety. Life is just full of problems, and dealing with those problems is extremely overwhelming and difficult. Take a look for yourself and “get the picture”! In one review about the movie Lars and the Real Girl (2007) she wrote that “…emotional responses to movie scenes or characters can help clients to understand themselves better. There's something so beautiful about every character, no matter how much they're dealing with. The movie begins as Pat, newly released from a mental hospital (he was committed after beating up his wife’s lover), moves back in with his parents and meets recently widowed Tiffany, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who suffers from her own mental instability. This helps teenagers to move out of their lower brain to their higher brain and process their triggers in a calmer state.”, For some people horror films can be oddly comforting, according to New York-based psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz, CertPsy, MEd, PsyaD. ", Submitted by Brittany Catherine Wildgoose , Facebook, "I've been struggling with depression for about five years now. That helped me feel a lot more comfortable with myself in an environment where I was told intellectuals have to be one certain way. I had depression so bad, I turned to self-harm. And, let us know if you’d like to add any films to our list. When I was so disconnected to everyone and everything around me I saw these people with the same problems and it made me smile for the first time in a while. The Hours, 2002 The Hours is the story of three women searching for more potent, meaningful lives. ", "It's Kind Of A Funny Story helped me realise that the feelings I was experiencing weren't unique to me. “Little Miss Sunshine” is a dark comedy that demonstrates how depression can be a family affair. Movies are a great distraction for me when I’m battling a bad depression day. ", "I watched it at least twice a week during the worst time. Still, it can be hard for those with depression to reach out for help. Economic insanity, escalating job cuts, high divorce rates. A character or a scene might also upset them intensely. They are films that will certainly bring a positive feeling to the end. My initial introduction to this movie was from a patient who wanted me to understand the ‘scariness’ of what went on in his mind. It is encouraging to see just how many movies about depression and mental health exist, not only recently but over the last 70+ years. Use of this website is conditional upon your acceptance of our User Agreement. This movie is one of them. Due to its unique construction, the movie opens at the climax and flashes back to a series of events leading to that situation. When things go wrong, they all just seem to go wrong at the same time. I can't explain it. To celebrate the release of John Hillcoat's Depression-era America film Lawless, out this week in the US. "It's my happy place – I'm seven again and nothing is wrong with the world. You can achieve great things. Stay strong! Confused and struggling with depression following the breakup, Tom realizes that he's only been remembering the positive aspects of their relationship and decides to turn his life around. We list movies for you to watch when you are sad in this article. A good movie can also provide a wonderful distraction from emotional pain or a place to put your unshed tears. ", "When I'm depressed, I always end up watching The Birdcage because I know it will make me laugh every time without fail. And all the adorable dance scenes got me up out of bed and wanting to be moving and active again. 4.7 out of 5 stars 415. Maybe you’ll even start to believe your life has turned into one big musical. Obsessed with travel? “The fight-or-flight they experience every day is given perspective. Write a brief description telling us what a particular movie does for you and send us a message on Facebook or Instagram. I even tried to avoid happy endings if I could. One of our regular contributors—New York City-based therapist Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW—loved the assignment so much she decided to conduct her own informal poll and ask her patients for recommendations. If you are experiencing stress as a matter of routine, its time to take action now. Some therapists even use “cinema therapy” to help their patients explore their own psyches and as a catalyst for the therapeutic process. © 2021 Remedy Health Media, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Depression Central: Tell Me All I Need to Know About Depression, What Movies Can Do for Your Mental Health, Real Life Solutions GA Therapeutic and Coaching Services, Food + Mood: A Natural Approach to Treating Depression, Mood Food: Cauliflower Pancake with Salmon and Avocado Puree, The Treatment-Resistant Depression Checklist, The Dilemma of High Functioning Depression, 5 Things You Can Do Now to Overcome Depression, Sadness or Depression? Similarly, I believe we need to be able to feel sad every so often. Another oft-mentioned depression buster by my respondents is perhaps the funniest movie ever made – the 1968 Mel Brooks’ five guffaws a minute-inducing The Producers. If you’ve ever found yourself asking what movies to watch when you’re depressed, look no further! ", "Watching them work through their problems and accept their faults made me feel like I could make it through okay too. 8. Yes, movies do a pretty good job of telling this morbid story. It never fails to make me smile. BuzzFeed Staff. It’s sweet and funny. ", "My freshman year of college was beyond rough. I did a project on Philippe Petit and it gave me purpose. Remedy Health Media & PsyCom do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I find the numbness that comes with depression the hardest part to cope with: It colours the world grey and soulless for me, like nothing is true or real, so for something to come along that addresses that feeling gave me such a feeling of relief. March 2, 2016. ", "There is literally nothing sad about that movie, it is just love. Few things lift me out of a dark mood faster than this madcap 1938 screwball comedy classic with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant as an heiress who is instantly smitten with a stodgy, about to be married straight-laced paleontologist, who she entraps into a dizzily delightful plan that spirals to involve a tame leopard named Baby, a priceless dinosaur bone, a pet dog who loves to secretively bury priceless dinosaur bones, and an escaped not-so-tame circus leopard. 127 Hours made me realise how valuable life is, how important your loved ones really are, and to never, ever, give up. We asked members of … Understanding their emotional responses to movies…can serve as a window to their unconscious.”, Laura Fonseca, MSW, LCSW, a child and adolescent therapist in St. Louis, Missouri says that movies from one’s childhood can be quite soothing for some teenagers. Depression Movies that can help beat the anxiety and depression. It teaches you to appreciate the little things in life and to realize that sometimes you have crappy days but they pass and are really not worth dwelling on. “My go-to movie when I’m feeling like crap is ‘Walk the Line.’ I have always been a huge fan of Johnny Cash, and this movie does such a wonderful job at telling his story of his battles with depression, addiction and then redemption. For me it is a truly sublime film. Top 10 Best Movies About Depression 10. .it's no wonder 6 million men are diagnosed with depression every year. Psycom managing editor Ann Gault loves Lars and the Real Girl staring Ryan Gosling when he was still relatively unknown. Tweet. ", "I thought this movie was just another love story but it is much more than that. If something seemingly obvious is missing, it might be because I think it's overrated, but it's probably because I forgot. ", "It showed that you are not your mental illness. ", Submitted by Withering Moonflower, Facebook, "Elizabeth Bennet's spirit and independence was always inspiring, and the soundtrack and cinematography is soothing. ", Submitted by Hetty Murfitt-Pearce , Facebook, "I never fail to get lost in that movie. While a job change, yoga, meditation or doing fun activities helps, you can also make use of essential oils to beat stress and anxiety. Post author By Janet Wolfe; Post date October 16, 2013; 3 Comments on 3 Tips to Beat Depression With Positive Mental Movies; When bouts of depression hit, our bodies slow down, and our thoughts go into auto repeat about how bad we feel. ", "I think it spoke to my soul about depression and existential crises with such visceral truth that I felt connected to something; I felt like I was not alone with the terrible enormity of my feelings. ", "Seeing that it was okay to be sad and that it was necessary to truly feel alive helped me know that I didn't have to force myself to be happy all the time. wants is to go home. In fact, over 15 million people in the United States struggle with depression every year. By Best Life Editors. 4.5 out of 5 stars 888. It’s so beautiful and inspiring.” — Kristi S. 3 Tips to Beat Depression With Positive Mental Movies. The challenges of living with mental illness can certainly set the stage for compelling drama and may explain why there are so many movies that feature depressed, anxious or manic characters. (See “Sherry’s Top 6,” below). All works listed below, regardless of their genre, transmit to the viewer positive instances of the human being and the world, with plots that elevate a pleasant and always optimistic atmosphere. The data also finds that … Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. So, keep this list handy the next time you’re in need of a pick-me-up. The 30 Best Movies About Depression by Arjanit | created - 04 Jun 2017 | updated - 04 Jun 2017 | Public Refine See titles to watch instantly, titles you haven't rated, etc. ANYTHING. Even the most cynical and hopeless soul cannot help but feel uplifted after viewing 1982’s E.T., directed by Steven Spielberg. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! 10 Drug-Free Ways to Beat Depression. Some of these movies will leave you wanting to call your mom, dad, grandma, sister, brother, and/or best friend. I will always love it. Their eventual declarations land so deeply with viewers because the love is grounded in mature yet neurotic, wholly known and believable characters who can be totally themselves with one another as long as they both shall live. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. Helplessly laughing at antics that have no meaning, are a perfect reminder that while there is much suffering on this globe, there is also joy! Come and join the Nazi Party!” make Springtime for Hitler the hit of the season. This information is not designed to replace a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. “Laughter releases endorphins so programming that makes you laugh can be excellent for reducing stress and depressive mood symptoms. Most high school movies depict depression so melodramatically, but in this film it isn't the main focus, just an aspect of her character. Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter! Past Life Regression Therapy: Is It Right For You? “Horror movies can provide relief to the viewer,” Luiz says explaining that the reaction to horror films is quite similar to the solace many people find in tearjerkers. I've always felt like I was nobody and I am always going to be a nobody. Another oft-mentioned depression buster by my respondents is perhaps the funniest movie ever made – the 1968 Mel Brooks’ five guffaws a minute-inducing The Producers. The non-stop manic outrageousness of The Producers will make you laugh so hard the sadness will roll right out! “There is something about a movie filled with music and dancing that inevitably cheers me up and gets me in a much better mood,” says Megan. “It’s hard to be anxious or sad when Gene Kelly or Julie Andrews are singing on screen. 8. ", "It's a weird choice but I found it oddly comforting. On Friday nights, I would rent movies and lock myself in my dorm room to watch them. Always consult with your doctor about your personal health and wellness, including any recommendations you find online. Living with mental illness isn’t easy but it’s definitely not boring either. Dear Zindagi-It is Alia Bhatt’s One of the finest potrayal of a person going an emotional turbulence in her personal life that everyone can relate to on a daily basis. It's so much more than an adaptation of a children's book. $14.93 ← Previous page; 1; 2; Next page → New Releases in Depression. ", Submitted by Sarah Kaitlin Prulhiere, Facebook, "I never connect to films, but every time I watch this it makes me believe that even in my darkest days it is possible to make it through. The young couple have three children but Emma eventually returns to her mother after tiring of her husband’s philandering ways. There's something so calming about Gene Wilder in that movie. “Many are able to identify with the underlying meaning of the storyline and characters in the film. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. For some reason the insignificance it made me feel was weirdly comforting. Watching Silver Linings Playbook when you’re in a bad place is medicinal because it shows that having mental illness doesn’t define a person, that you can still find love, and more importantly, find strength within yourself to begin accepting that it’s okay not to be “perfect.”  Once you accept yourself, it’s easier to tackle rather than avoid your problems and find your center in the process. ", "The sheer joy that can be expressed in those songs can lift me out of anything. When Bloom makes the observation that Bialystock, who raises money for his productions by seducing checks out of sex-starved little old ladies “could make a lot of money by over financing turkeys…the IRS isn’t interested in flops,” the two put in motion a scheme to create a 100 % destined to fail musical “Springtime for Hitler.” To ensure the success of their failure plot, they enlist as playwright neo-Nazi Franz Liebkind, played with 150 % brio   by Kenneth Mars. The portrayal gave me hope to go after what I wanted and get rid of what was holding me back. Anyone who has ever experienced a change of heart or perspective after watching a movie can attest to film’s ability to influence the way we think about life’s dilemmas. Little Miss Sunshine. Everybody is special. Keri Russel plays the most relatable character I've ever seen. He is such a source of hope. If I have the drive, I can do anything. Aurora finds herself in a relationship for the first time in years with a skirt-chasing and scene stealing former astronaut Breedlove, played by Jack Nicholson. Movies for Depression. How to cheer up without hitting the prescription bottle. HOW TO BEAT DEPRESSION Life can be tough at times. We are deeply invested in these richly imperfect characters well before Emma develops terminal cancer. Depression is a mental illness that affects over 300 million people of all ages including children globally. 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