", "It made me believe in myself again. ", "Legally Blonde got me through a few rough patches during high school and college. Birgit Wolz, PhD, MFT, a mostly-retired therapist in California used ‘cinema therapy’ (CT) with some of her clients. The Most Depressing Movies Ever Made by smith-d-c | created - 28 Oct 2010 | updated - 18 Mar 2012 | Public Some of these films I like, some I don't, but whatever your mood, they will leave you with a miserable, cynical view about people and our future. 5 Perfect Movies to Help With Depression (They Keep You COOL And Motivated) September 16, 2017 / depression Share 4. 8. When things go wrong, they all just seem to go wrong at the same time. ", "I must have watched it a million times but I still cry every time. can’t communicate in words, their telepathic language helps bond these innocent kindred spirits. 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. “It’s hard to be anxious or sad when Gene Kelly or Julie Andrews are singing on screen. “Little Miss Sunshine” is a dark comedy that demonstrates how depression can be a family affair. Ten-year-old Elliot (Henry Thomas) befriends an extra-terrestrial stranded on earth, and like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (also recommended when depressed! I am special. When my daughter was growing up we would watch it together at least once a year and still do occasionally so for us, it’s also become a tradition and a happy memory.”, Twenty-something Megan Whalen described what it’s like to live with chronic worry and anxiety in her blog, Lies My Anxiety Tells Me. “Viewers often gain a more positive outlook on how to care for a loved one or change their perspective about people who live with the disorder,” she says. The movie: Meryl Streep's Polish immigrant Sophie may have survived a spell in Auschwitz, but her life with violent, jealous Kevin Kline is hardly a bed of roses either. Two friends (Vincent Cassel and Albert Dupontel) decide to take justice into their own hands are hunting down the man who raped and beat their girlfriend and friend (Monica Bellucci). Parts of it are heartbreaking but in the end the movie has an uplifting message about the transformative power of compassionate people and the healing that’s possible with the help of a good psychotherapist!” Ann says. $14.93 ← Previous page; 1; 2; Next page → New Releases in Depression. Here are 10 movies that can help with that. Always consult with your doctor about your personal health and wellness, including any recommendations you find online. 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. ", "I first saw it almost five years ago. When certain movies resonate with clients, they touch into an preconscious or unconscious part of their psyche. story of two friends’ 12-year journey to discovering they are made for one another. 4.7 out of 5 stars 415. Added bonus: singing and dancing are mood boosters so I tend to get up from my couch and pretend I’m in the movie too!”. ", "For whatever reason, the movie I watched a hundred times during the worst of my depression was the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. $10.79 #50. Obsessed with travel? 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. In addition to brilliantly depicting childhood wonder and magic (the scene of Elliot’s bicycle skating by the moon is a great visual to remember when you need a non-celluloid pick-me-up), the last third of the movie is a great adventure yarn as Elliot, his sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore)  and their friends embark on a desperate race to reunite E.T. No matter what you struggle with you can still be the kindness you want to find in the world. All of this richness enhances overall wellbeing and is just a lot of fun.”, William sometimes recommends sitcoms and standup comedy shows. Paperback. I had depression so bad, I turned to self-harm. ", "I got a copy as a gift right around the time I got bad and I watched that movie over and over. I even tried to avoid happy endings if I could. Instead of subjectively discussing which films are “best,” in this article we will aim to address the films that adequately inform and enlighten the viewer on the realities of having depression. “I don’t know anyone who feels neutral about this movie—you either love it or hate it, and that can go either way depending on your frame of mind when you see it. ", "Watching them work through their problems and accept their faults made me feel like I could make it through okay too. Stay strong! Remedy Health Media & PsyCom do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It's just good for all ills. California residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. ", "I remember the first time I saw how passionate the character Enjolras was about everything he did for France. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. Also, entire families are going to the movies together, wearing movie-themed apparel, creating memories and enjoying the camaraderie of the experience. By Best Life Editors. The movie is enough to make you want to get up and perform all the musical numbers in your living room, because you were born to hand jive, baby. ”When experiencing triggers that cause feelings of anxiety or depression, I encourage teens to watch favorite movies from childhood as a way to calm down, relax, and ground themselves. March 2, 2016. ", Submitted by Brittany Catherine Wildgoose , Facebook, "I've been struggling with depression for about five years now. While a job change, yoga, meditation or doing fun activities helps, you can also make use of essential oils to beat stress and anxiety. If you are experiencing stress as a matter of routine, its time to take action now. Though there are too many contemporary movies on this list, you should see them all. Sherry recently conducted an informal poll of her patients for their film recommendations. ", "The constant questioning of who you really are and the self-confidence build up really helps your brain focus on what's mostly important. 10 Drug-Free Ways to Beat Depression. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. They are films that will certainly bring a positive feeling to the end. I may get shot down, but at least I gave it my all. How to cheer up without hitting the prescription bottle. © 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? In fact, over 15 million people in the United States struggle with depression every year. Elle spent the whole movie not fitting in at Harvard, but then ended up with the best deal out of everyone, and that gave me a lot of hope for dealing with my own loneliness. Depression is a mental illness that affects over 300 million people of all ages including children globally. ", "(500) Days Of Summer helped me realised that life may seem really bad and like it could never get better, but that opportunities and happiness are right around the corner if you're willing to get out and take them. BuzzFeed Staff. Real love between flawed humans rocks! Love, Actually is about relationships, love and loss but, to me, it’s mostly about hope and being true to yourself. Here are 15 Movies So Depressing You Can Only Watch Them Once. While critics universally agreed that last year’s Manchester by the Sea was a fantastic film, they also agreed that it’s a huge downer to sit through. Plus, the late great Robin Williams stars in it, and any Robin Williams film is magic to my mood. For me it is a truly sublime film. The effects of stress can range from simple digestive problems and headaches to anxiety attacks and clinical depression. I've always felt like I was nobody and I am always going to be a nobody. “Laughter releases endorphins so programming that makes you laugh can be excellent for reducing stress and depressive mood symptoms. We asked members of … Living with mental illness isn’t easy but it’s definitely not boring either. Let’s go to the list! 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. 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. Made me believe I could be a wonderfully written story. ", "I know it sounds a little odd, but I really identified with Jack, who everyone thought had it all together but who was, in fact, really lonely and wanted more out of life. They took very hard and controversial topic, but presented in so you do understand both sides and agree with them. But sometimes when you're feeling down, there's no easier pick-me-up than a favorite movie. ANYTHING. At times life can bring what feels like unendurable sorrow, but the ultimate reward of connecting is well worth the risk of reaching out to other human beings. I can't explain it. The non-stop manic outrageousness of The Producers will make you laugh so hard the sadness will roll right out! Posted on August 18, 2015 September 18, 2019 by Susannah Farrugia. HOW TO BEAT DEPRESSION Life can be tough at times. It can be very hard to pull away from negative feelings when all we can think about is being depressed. 15 Manchester by the Sea. BuzzFeed posts are for general informational purposes only, and cannot replace professional and individualised medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. 127 Hours made me realise how valuable life is, how important your loved ones really are, and to never, ever, give up. depression movies – movies to beat depression 1 #1. Really, a stunning piece of work. The portrayal gave me hope to go after what I wanted and get rid of what was holding me back. Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir Ellen Forney. If you're upset it helps perk you up, if you feel like a weirdo it makes it not feel like a bad thing, if you had a bad break-up there's that weird recorder guy that you can be glad isn't your ex. ", Submitted by Hetty Murfitt-Pearce , Facebook, "I never fail to get lost in that movie. ", "Whenever I'm feeling especially down I take out Almost Famous and I watch that "Tiny Dancer" scene and cry sad and happy tears at the same time, and then everything is a little better. Plus she proved that being girly doesn't diminish your intelligence or work ethic. A film may move them deeply. (Note: The following reviews were written by Sherry and are in her voice.). Top 10 Best Movies About Depression 10. .it's no wonder 6 million men are diagnosed with depression every year. ", "I was going through a lot of personal and family issues, I was a super sensitive person and still am. The extreme terror makes our real fears less hard to bear.”, Tamekis Williams, a licensed clinical social worker/therapist and owner of Real Life Solutions GA Therapeutic and Coaching Services in Atlanta uses movies to help clients reconnect with their authentic self and remove barriers like depression and anxiety that stop them from living a conscious, healthy and happier life. Most Wished For in Depression. His relationship with a life-size vinyl “love” doll named Bianca gives the residents in his small Wisconsin town something to gossip about. Movies about depression do an outstanding job of conveying what I feel, and also what many other sufferers of mental illness encounter. What’s Behind The Post-Holiday Funk & How To Snap Out Of It, The Dilemma of High-Functioning Depression, Internalized Anxiety: How World Events Affect Our Children, Anticipatory Grief: Mourning a Life Before It’s Gone. If something seemingly obvious is missing, it might be because I think it's overrated, but it's probably because I forgot. With the exception of Olive, the titular character and youngest daughter, all of the members of the Faris family struggle with some form of depression. Some therapists even use “cinema therapy” to help their patients explore their own psyches and as a catalyst for the therapeutic process. In fact, at times life kind of feels a little unfair. Still, it can be hard for those with depression to reach out for help. Lars is a likable introvert who has experienced real trauma in his life. “The term ‘bipolar’ for example has been used casually in today’s terminology. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder are golden together. 7 Shares. ", "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. Life is just full of problems, and dealing with those problems is extremely overwhelming and difficult. This movie is one of them. Some of the movies on this list are more viscerally depressing, some are more intellectually depressing, but all will ruin your day. (See “Sherry’s Top 6,” below). When I was having an awful weekend, I just watched Bruce Campbell movies and felt better. “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. Pin 3. It sparked my love for horror movies, and it made me laugh super hard. Psycom managing editor Ann Gault loves Lars and the Real Girl staring Ryan Gosling when he was still relatively unknown. Everybody is special. A good movie can also provide a wonderful distraction from emotional pain or a place to put your unshed tears. Depression can leave you with little interest in anything. However, there are … To celebrate the release of John Hillcoat's Depression-era America film Lawless, out this week in the US. So it seems that they can also transport you to a place where even depression is easier to stomach and quite relatable. Yes, movies do a pretty good job of telling this morbid story. And, let us know if you’d like to add any films to our list. 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 30 Best Movies About Depression. No matter how daunting the journey, never give up; there is always a way home. New York City therapist, author and relationship expert Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW is also a fan of  ‘cinema therapy’. The message in The Lego Movie gave me hope. It allowed me to begin to accept myself as I am again. Little Miss Sunshine. 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. Past Life Regression Therapy: Is It Right For You? A movie I still watch to get a good cry and feel better is Where The Wild Things Are. 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. ", "It showed that you are not your mental illness. On Friday nights, I would rent movies and lock myself in my dorm room to watch them. We wanted to know what movies people like to watch when they’re struggling with depression, so we asked our mental health community to share one movie that helps them get through hard times with depression.. Here’s what they had to say: ", "It makes me feel like there's always some good amidst the darkness. ", "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. "It's my happy place – I'm seven again and nothing is wrong with the world. ", "It's Kind Of A Funny Story helped me realise that the feelings I was experiencing weren't unique to me. wants is to go home. Tweet. 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For length and/or clarity without hitting the prescription bottle down, there 's something calming! To eat, and also what many other sufferers of mental illness that affects 300.

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