Every day I feel down, I can't sleep, I have no goals, I have no interest in doing things, what should I do?

I commend you for recognizing the need for professional assistance. It is not typical to be in a state of depression without experiencing other challenges, such as a lack of social support and employment.

Those suffering from depression have high expectations of themselves and are not idle. They have not yet reached rock bottom and believe they can climb out and go even further.

Based on your description, I recommend that you visit the psychiatric department of a hospital for a diagnosis and to assess your level of depression. If the doctor prescribes medication, it may be beneficial for you to take it to help motivate yourself.

There is no need to be afraid. It is comparable to the engine of a car. When the power is weak, an external force is required to provide a boost. This medication can serve as that external force to give you a boost.

If the doctor diagnoses mild depression and no medication is needed, it indicates that you possess intrinsic motivation. Attempt to leverage this motivation independently. I frequently recommend exercise to my patients.

For instance, you don't require any special equipment to walk or run. Simply go outside each day and walk or run. Set a 21-day plan to establish the habit and share updates with your friends or Weibo followers daily to maintain motivation.

Regarding your professional relationships, we will defer discussion of that topic for the time being. Once you have cultivated a robust sense of inner drive and fostered positive interpersonal connections in both your professional and personal lives, you will be well-positioned to navigate challenges effectively.

If you feel that you can manage without medical assistance and that you are able to walk and run, that would be an optimal solution.

You indicated that you had been bullied at school, which must have been a highly traumatic experience.

It may be beneficial for you to seek the assistance of a professional counselor to help you cope with the impact of this incident. You mentioned that you have never disclosed this information to anyone. It seems that your relationship with your parents may not be as supportive as you would have liked. Had you been able to confide in them, they would have been able to provide you with guidance and assistance.

Psychological counseling can also assist you in examining your relationship with your parents and gaining insight into the influence this relationship has had on you. When the challenges are overcome, the opportunities for growth and improvement become apparent.

Hello, host. I am confident that my answer will be helpful to you.

I hug you and feel your loneliness and suffering inside. You know what? Just the fact that you can express your feelings here is already very courageous. This will be the beginning of change.

I'm going to give you some suggestions that will help you get out of this situation and rebuild your inner strength.

First, you must find ways to express your inner feelings and emotions.

You must acknowledge your emotions and express them so that they can flow. This is also an important way for me to deal with my emotions.

I need to know how to express it.

There are four ways to deal with it.

The first thing you need to do is express your feelings and needs to the person concerned. It takes courage, but it's worth it. It'll improve your relationship and relieve your negative emotions.

For example, I used to become very sad because of my husband's behavior, but I was afraid to say anything. I knew it wasn't useful, and that he would think I was overreacting and dislike me. But I didn't say anything, and it was really hard to keep it inside, so I would get angry and lose my temper with him.

My husband encouraged me to speak up and say, "You need to say it, otherwise I won't know what you're thinking." I get angry, but I'm like a monk, at a loss. Later, no matter how trivial the matter is, I communicate with him honestly and express my true feelings, needs, and requests. This has established a very good sense of trust, making us both feel more comfortable in the relationship.

I then applied this method to all kinds of relationships. When I felt that my father didn't recognize me enough, I went to him and expressed my need for his recognition. Through these experiences, I discovered that it is crucial to learn to express your feelings and needs in relationships. This is beneficial to your physical and mental health. It will make you feel more relaxed and comfortable in the relationship, and there will be less speculation and complaints.

The second way to express yourself is when you feel very confused inside and have no way to express yourself to the person concerned. In this case, you need to find a way to express your feelings. For example, our groups have this function because in each group, we are in a relatively safe environment where everyone accepts us. This is the perfect place to express yourself and honestly say how you feel.

Since our group formed, we've shared many heartwarming stories. Many group members have felt accepted and understood by their friends, gaining the courage to change and grow. I'm no exception. Despite being in a group, I still feel accepted and respected by everyone, and I often feel especially warm.

Go to the group and the counseling room to express yourself.

The third way to express yourself is to be your own friend and express yourself to yourself. This is writing therapy, where you express your inner feelings truthfully on paper. It will help you to see your heart is clear and relaxed. When writing becomes a habit, you will find that it is really a good way to release negative emotions.

The fourth type of expression is physical. A hug, a smile, a look, a gesture—these can convey a message. When you feel sad, hugging for a while with someone you trust and are close to will relieve your anxiety and tension, and you will become relaxed. Under the effect of oxytocin, you will also feel happy.

Use the butterfly technique to hug yourself and pat your shoulders. This will comfort and strengthen you.

2. Set yourself small goals to liven up your life and get into a better state.

I was also in a particularly decadent period once, just like your current situation. I was in a bad mood every day, feeling very low, listening to emo songs, suffering from insomnia, and not interested in anything. I quickly realized that the more I felt like this, the more I had to sit down and write about things, especially things that can make me feel a sense of pleasure and accomplishment.

I have a lot of things on my schedule that give me a sense of accomplishment and pleasure. Every day, I will do my favorite sports, meditate, write, listen to some healing music, answer questions, write, read, give lectures, and do some housework within my abilities.

I have found that I am doing a lot more than before, and I am proud of myself for it. I don't feel emotional, tired, or depressed. Instead, I feel very energetic, and I also feel that life is very fun. My state of mind is completely different, and I am excited about the future.

Start taking action. Eat three meals a day and go to bed early. Don't take these things for granted. Stick to the little things. Praise and encourage yourself.

You can do it. I believe in you. Best wishes!