34 TV Shows That Helped People During Their Depression

"I always watch it when I'm having bad days."

We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us the TV show that helped them during their depression. Here are their answers.

1. Master of None

Netflix

"Master of None definitely put into perspective that life is hard for everyone, especially other people in their late 20s. It comforts me as someone with intense anxiety and depression that life is what you make it, to enjoy the ride and know there will always be ups and downs."

_{Submitted by nicholk}

2. My Mad Fat Diary

Endemol UK

"Not only was it brilliantly done, it managed to avoid so many places where it would've been easy to rely on tropes and lazy storytelling. There were definitely times where it was a less than perfect show, but there was something really powerful for me about watching a story that felt like it could have been that of my own depression."

_{Submitted by Felicia Zuniga, Facebook}

3. Frasier

CBS Television Distribution / BuzzFeed

"That show is genius, and I miss it dearly. I will marathon Frasier on Netflix FOREVER."

_{Submitted by Caitlin Bates}

4. RuPaul's Drag Race

Passion Distribution

"It's the biggest and best distraction from any negativity, especially when you can binge watch on Netflix."

_{Submitted by Lucy Blampied, Facebook}

5. Buffy The Vampire Slayer

20th Television

"Watching a young woman fight off demons helped me work through mine. Plus, who doesn't feel better when they hang out with the Scoobies?"

_{Submitted by Sophie Elizabeth Mitchell Macdonald, Facebook}

6. Anne of Green Gables

CBC / BuzzFeed

"I've been binge watching this before Netflix even existed! Nothing makes me feel better than seeing Anne become an amazing woman despite impossible odds – and of course Gilbert Blythe will always be my first love."

_{Submitted by Kristin Sellens, Facebook}

7. Parks and Recreation

NBCUniversal

"It's funny and happy and one of the overarching themes is that you can fail over and over again but you'll end up happy in the end as long as you keep pushing."

_{Submitted by Jill Aneri Shah, Facebook}

8. Archer

20th Television

"The ridiculousness of Archer grief banging his way across the South Pacific was hilarious and pulled me out of a hole and stuck me with a mass of quotes people have no idea about."

_{Submitted by Pepe Silvia, Facebook}

9. Ace of Cakes

Food Network / BuzzFeed

"It's just so wonderful when I have a bad day. I put on a DVD of Duff and the gang making these beautiful and crazy cakes and it just lifts my mood. And I know that there is nothing but safe and happy moments and that nothing is going to trigger a down spiral."

_{Submitted by Lizzie Barnes, Facebook}

10. Scrubs

Disney–ABC

"I was almost completely alone in a foreign country, suffering terrible insomnia, and so depressed I was barely functioning. Having the doctors of Sacred Heart to turn to when I couldn't sleep was the main thing that got me by on some nights."

_{Submitted by Vera Sticker, Facebook}

11. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Nickelodeon

"The cartoon both made me feel silly and lighthearted, as well as reminded me that my trivial problems are not that serious. My ass isn't trying to save the world, just pass class."

_{Submitted by Kamille Cinsey, Facebook}

12. Sherlock

BBC / BuzzFeed

"I watched the first two series when I was severely depressed, and it was the one show I remember that really took me out of myself. I was engrossed by the puzzles, focused on the characters, and in love with the cinematography. That show meant a ridiculous amount to me."

_{Submitted by Jamie Duncombe, Facebook}

13. How I Met Your Mother

20th Television

"Everyone on that show was quirky and weird in their own right but they all loved and supported each other. I felt like everything was going to be OK watching that show. I was around the same age as all of them, so it felt like I was growing up with them."

_{Submitted by Tamara Wilson, Facebook}

14. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Netflix

"I stumbled upon it after being released from a hospital in NYC. Seeing the main character reconnect with the outside world and overcome the humorous and honest obstacles of living in a new environment reminded me of the reasons why I deserve a chance to do the same."

_{Submitted by Vivi Hyacinthe, Facebook}

15. Adventure Time

Cartoon Network / BuzzFeed

"It's whimsical and funny and full of beautiful messages. And when I needed distracting but my concentration was shot to hell, I could handle its 10 minute long episodes."

_{Submitted by erenah}

16. Supernatural

The CW

"Every time I feel terrified or feel overwhelmed, watching this show helped me. It was because no matter what monster they were fighting, Sam and Dean always found a way to defeat it. That gave me hope that I could defeat the monsters making my life miserable. In general the Supernatural family make me feel less alone in my depression."

_{Submitted by Jessie Dromgool, Facebook}

17. Black Books

Channel 4

"I don't think I've ever watched a TV show more. Every time I hit a depressive episode, fortunately it's on Netflix and I can re-watch it!"

_{Submitted by Corinne Marie Donnelly, Facebook}

18. The Gilmore Girls

Warner Bros. Television / BuzzFeed

"Whenever I felt sad, I would watch the series and laugh. The characters, especially Lorelai and Rory, inspired me to overcome obstacles life threw at me. I have learned to embrace my quirky side and be more productive."

_{Submitted by jharissac}

19. Glee

20th Century Fox

"I started watching it in the loneliest period of my life. It really helped me not feel lonely and the characters became my friends. I continued watching the show even after that period of my life ended and even after the show started going downhill, just because those characters helped me get through that period of my life."

_{Submitted by Gabby Hayden, Facebook}

20. Modern Family

20th Television

"It's impossible to not laugh and feel good when watching that show. I always watch it when I'm having bad days."

_{Submitted by shannono420b9214d}

21. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

20th Television / BuzzFeed

"I love TV, but when there have been times where I've been so depressed that I don't even want to watch my usual shows, I can still get by with the gang."

_{Submitted by carolined4b98da4f8}

22. New Girl

20th Television

"I used to be like Jess until I lost someone who used to be so important to me. After getting into the show Jess' joyfulness became contagious and the dudes' quirkiness cheered me up."

_{Submitted by milkymilktea}

23. Downton Abbey

NBCUniversal

"I'm binge watching the bejeezus out of it now! When I'm down I need to watch this bunch of rich white people and their servants with all of their problems! I cry, I laugh, but mostly I stare at the hot British men."

_{Submitted by fabfourdarling}

24. The Office

NBCUniversal / BuzzFeed

"I must have watched the entire series three times back-to-back in a span of a few months. Even now, when I'm feeling particularly stressed/angry/upset, turning on any episode instantly makes me calm and level headed. There were times when binge watching it was the only thing that kept me smiling and moving forward."

_{Submitted by raisinrej}

25. Skins

All3Media

"I lived out my wildest teen angst fantasies while enjoying tea and cookies under a blanket."

_{Submitted by matildaa41cf16c42}

26. Bojack Horseman

Netflix

"Sometimes I just wanna be sad and mope about for the day. The show doesn't force me to laugh or be happy, I can just be human and feel bad and that's OK."

_{Submitted by Brogan Knight, Facebook}

27. Lost

Disney–ABC / BuzzFeed

"All of the characters were broken and had to deal with various issues from their past. I watch it whenever I need to escape. It helps to remind me that even the most broken people can have a purpose and worth."

28. Game of Thrones

HBO

"For me it was Game of Thrones. It's one of those shows that completely drew me in, and long after the episode was done I'd sit in my bed looking up Targaryen history!"

_{Submitted by blorgasporgler}

29. Jessica Jones

Netflix

"Jessica Jones because seeing someone else who was a victim, who struggled with her issues, overcome her abuser gives me the strength to face my own daily demons."

_{Submitted by ashleyc4ee78675e}

30. The O.C.

Warner Bros. Television / BuzzFeed

"I've watched the entire series numerous times. I always get so happy envisioning myself living in SoCal. After I had my miscarriage last year I was super depressed and watched season one and it kept me content."

_{Submitted by nancyp4cdf73662}

31. Friends

Warner Bros. Television

"I always go back and watch Friends when I'm struggling. It's so light hearted and funny and works as a good distraction for me. It's just comforting to watch it when I'm feeling low."

_{Submitted by charmaineh44b5e1432}

32. Hannibal

Sony Pictures Television

"The tense, beautifully shot psychological thriller took me into parts of a mind darker than what I felt mine was at the time. It was such a rich, gorgeous looking show with characters that had such depth to them I couldn't look away."

_{Submitted by kgutierrez448}

33. The West Wing

Warner Bros. Television / BuzzFeed

"At a time when absolutely everything felt dark, it reminded me that there are people who care about even some of the smallest things."

_{Submitted by Jessica Weiner, Facebook}

34. Orange is the New Black

Netflix

"I suffer from depression and anxiety and I sometimes feel incredibly lonely. All the women in the prison felt like my friends. They made me laugh and helped me to accept crying. They taught me about friendship and loyalty and love."

_{Submitted by sarahs476a276dc}

_{Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity}

Always consult with your doctor about your personal health and wellness, including any recommendations you find online. BuzzFeed posts are for general informational purposes only, and cannot replace professional and individualised medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice.