Dealing with Depression
Everyone at some point in their lives experiences depression. Common symptoms include reduced energy, anxiety, isolation, and decreased interest in things that once made you happy. Everything is relative. If you were never sad, how would you know what happiness is. You wouldn’t. So it is okay to experience the occasional depressed mood.
This is normal every once in a while, but for many people, depression is a constant part of life, like a wave that washes the happiness and joy out of existence. If you have persistent depression, I empathize with you. I experienced almost non stop depression and anxiety from around the age of 12 all the way to about 27. Eventually, I found the right combination of medication and therapy. But it was a long process of trial an error.
But this doesn’t have to be your journey. If you truly have the willingness to get better, you can do so. It takes a lot of work, but once you have that willingness that you are going to get better no matter what, you are well on your way to recovery from depression. Please consult a physician if you are experiencing persistent depression or suicidal thoughts.
One of the best pieces of advice that I learned in therapy was “move a muscle, change a thought.” If you are unhappy with your current situation, get up and do something different! Here are some tips that really have helped me in my journey in recovering from depression.
1. Breathe. The average person doesn’t breathe deep enough, and therefore doesn’t get enough oxygen to the brain. When you are stressed out or depressed, take some time to take some deep breaths. When you do so, imagine that you are breathing in positive energy and exhaling negative energy.
2. Exercise. This is probably the most important action you can take to combat depression. Moderately intense cardio, such as a brisk walk for about 45 minutes, works wonders. You will not only feel invigorated, but your mind and body will function at higher level. If you are consistent with it, you will lose weight, which will help reinforce a positive body image.
3. Don’t get overwhelmed. If a situation becomes to stressful or demanding, step back and take some time out. There is situation in life that is more important than your mental health and happiness.
4. Relax. Take some time out each day to do something you enjoy. Read a book, spend time with loved ones, go for a walk, etc. Be sure you give yourself some time where you are focused on yourself and not the chaos in your life.
5. Talk to someone. Talking about your problem with another human being takes the power out of the problem. Plus it feels good to interact with others. Many people with depression tend to isolate, but all this does is further your depression. Seek out a therapist if you have the resources to do so. Therapy is a great way to help recover from depression. If not, there is a 12 step group for people with depression, Depressed Anonymous (http://www.depressedanon.com).
If you are unable to snap out of your depression within a week or two, please consult a physician. There are many effective anti-depressants on the market today, which basically adjust certain neurotransmitters in your brain. Medication was one of the keys to my recovery from depression. It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve tried everything else, why not give it a shot?
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If you are considering harming yourself, please call the suicide hot line at 1-800-273-TALK, or visit their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. There is always hope as long as you’re willing to hang in there. Easier said than done I know.
admin
15 Jul 10 at 2:39 am
The more I talk to people with depression, the more I realize how high the correlation is between depression and substance abuse. Pretty much all addicts/alcoholics suffer from depression. This is due to the fact that most drugs, and especially alcohol, cause severe depression after the effects wear off.
Plus years of substance abuse reek havoc on the brain’s neuro-chemistry. Do people with depression abuse drugs and alcohol because they are depressed, or are they depressed because they abuse drugs and alcohol?
Obviously, not everyone with depression is a substance abuser. But for those who are, the cycle is detrimental. Depression fuels substance abuse, which leads to more severe depression, which further fuels substance abuse.
The first step for someone with depression that struggles with addiction is therefore to deal with the addiction problem. Obviously easier said than done. Twelve step programs seem to have the best success, so check out AA.org and NA.org for information on Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, respectively.
Once mind altering chemicals are out of the equation, it is much more realistic to determine a proper treatment plan for depression and other mental disorders.
admin
5 Sep 10 at 11:48 pm
What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist different users like its helped me. Good job.
Sana Faulknen
11 Dec 11 at 12:21 pm
Ik zal neem deze tips aan boord en zie hoe ik ga. Bedankt voor dit bericht
Idell Bernatowicz
14 Dec 11 at 5:22 pm
Those tips really help when your feeling depressed. They have really helped me when I’m feeling down. Thanks
Gwendolyn Pruner
7 Jun 12 at 1:13 am
Hi, I have turned to the government for help for years. I the past few, I decided thar self learning could be the aswer for me. My race is my problem with finacial help, but did srtudy and graduate a Bachelors in psychology but knew there was so, so much more. Not New Age trasch. The mind. Hypnotherapy is and can be an invaluable tool if done by a qulified therapist, like those around in the 70,s and 80,s that could cause a physical burn with an icecube telling the subjsct it was hot metal. My bachelors was freat but with hugue wholes. I’m hoping for an accredited masters that will be more open, the a doctorates from universities like saybrook for their unique available programs. I prat to continue and become licensed at the masters level as the PHD. level would be used to find and heak myself. any feedback?
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