Help for depression is in your own hands, can you understand it?

DepressionHelp it may seem like the relief of a lifetime. Nearly 15 million Americans each year are affected by a serious illness called depression. It is a proven disease. It is not a reflection of the personal attributes of the patient despite being a mental illness. Depression can affect anyone. There is no logic in its appearance. You can hit the rich or the poor. Does not take race into account. The fact that you suffer from this disease does not mean that you are less human. Mental illness comes with stereotypes, ignore them. The suffering associated with this disease will only get worse without treatment. Stating that nothing is wrong will not ward off this problem. If a person does not seek medical attention, the disease worsens until it dominates the person’s entire life.

Depression can result from a number of sources. It is not a matter of a day or two of confusion or sadness, this disease is much more. Depression can be a matter of months and even years. The worst effects of depression can be physical illness and even suicide. Remorse is often a feeling associated with the early stages. It can take away from the enjoyment you once used to get from your favorite activities. Loneliness and despair are common. You may feel like a failure in life and cannot see where the future will improve. Your whole personality can change as time goes by. You will feel the effects at work, at school and at home. Expect insomnia and increased anxiety.

There are many causes of depression. Stress is one of them. Stress caused by the loss of a loved one or by a serious illness that has been diagnosed. Genetics is important. Experiencing abuse can cause stress. Even something as simple as reading the financial news can create it. There is so much stress in today’s world to compete and satisfy those in our society. Do not forget that it is a serious condition. But for people who seek it, there is help. Only about 4.5 million of the 15 million Americans who suffer from depression each year will admit the problem and seek help. A loved one or you have to seek help.

Getting the help you need plays an important role in relieving the stress of depression and keeping it at bay. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain perspective and sustain the effort required to overcome the disorder. But the very nature of this debilitating situation makes it difficult to seek help. However, isolation and loneliness make depression even worse, so it’s important to maintain close relationships and social activities.

The idea of ​​communicating even with close family and friends can seem overwhelming. You may feel embarrassed, too exhausted to talk, or guilty about neglecting the relationship. Remember this is depression talking. Those who love you are there for you.

* Turn to trusted friends and family. Share what you’re going through with the people you love and trust. Ask for the help and support you need. You may have withdrawn from your most precious relationships, but they can help you get through this difficult time.

* Try to keep up with social activities, even if you don’t feel like it. When you are depressed, you find it more comfortable to withdraw into your shell. But being around other people will make you feel less depressed.

* Join a depression support group. Being with others who are dealing with depression can go a long way in reducing your sense of isolation. They can also encourage each other, give and receive advice on how to cope, and share their experiences. To locate a depression support group in your area, use the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance website

Another self-help tip: Take care, Dogonit!

In order for you to win, you have to nurture yourself. This includes making time for the things you enjoy, asking others for help, setting limits on what you can do, adopting healthy habits, and scheduling fun activities into your day.

Do things you enjoy (or used to do)

While you can’t force yourself to have fun or experience pleasure, you can choose to do things that you used to enjoy. Choose a train hobby or a sport that he liked. Express yourself creatively through music, art, or writing. Go out with friends. Take a day trip to a museum, the mountains, or the ballpark.

Build a wellness toolbox

Come up with some ideas of things you can do to quickly improve your mood. Include any strategies, activities, or skills that you know you have. The more “tools” to deal with depression, the better. Try and implement some of these ideas every day, even if you feel good.

* Set realistic goals and take a reasonable amount of responsibility.

* Break big tasks down into small tasks, set some priorities and do what you can however you can.

* Try to be with other people and trust someone; it is usually better than being alone and secret.

* Participate in activities that can make you feel better.

* Moderate exercise, going to the movies, a ball game, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help.

* Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.

* It is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has passed. Before you decide to make a major transition (change jobs, get married, or get divorced), discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.

* People rarely “come out” of a depression. But they may feel a little better day by day.

* Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of depression and will go away as your depression responds to treatment.

* Let your family and friends help you.

The most productive way to help a depressed person is to help them get the right treatment. This may involve encouraging the person to continue treatment until symptoms start to improve (several weeks), or seeking a different treatment if there is no improvement. Sometimes, you may need to make an appointment and accompany the depressed person to appointments with the psychologist. It may also mean monitoring whether the depressed person is taking medication, if prescribed.

The second most important way to help is to offer emotional support. This implies understanding, patience, affection and encouragement. Engage the depressed person in a conversation and listen carefully. Don’t belittle the sentiments expressed, but point out the realities and offer hope. Don’t ignore comments about suicide. Always inform the psychologist of the depressed person. One of the main problems with depression is admitting to others that you have it. Many people will not seek help until they discover that they cannot go on without it. There is a fear that they will be seen as mentally weak, that job prospects, career advancement, life insurance, etc. will be jeopardized.

Medication can be a great help to start healing if you are so depressed that you have no energy for anything else. It can make a big difference and really get you going. But it’s important to see a psychiatrist or doctor who’s familiar enough with the latest antidepressants: there’s a wide variety, and it’s likely that something will help that won’t cause too many side effects for your system. But you need someone who knows these things, and most internists or GPs don’t. People are often given too little or too much medicine, or they don’t wait long enough for things to work. Once you’re rolling and starting to do some of the other things on this list, you can probably start lowering your dose. Get up in the morning and avoid sleeping late, although, it is true, if you are depressed, you will not feel like it. Getting up and moving helps fight depression; Sleeping in late feeds it.

You should reduce your intake of carbohydrates, and especially sugar, while consuming more protein. If you’re depressed, you’ll want that quick burst of energy that sugar and simple carbs provide; But that same jolt of sugar floods your bloodstream, spikes, and then crashes, leaving you more depressed than ever. The same is true for caffeine and alcohol. If you can get moving, then exercise! Don’t forget, depression is blocked or dead-end energy, and you can literally get it moving again by moving more. (And, yes, if you’re depressed, you won’t feel like it, but it will make you feel palpably better afterwards.)

The most common form of treatment for depression is “talk therapy” and “antidepressants” such as Prozac. But the drugs often have side effects, including causing more depression, and they can be expensive, as is a psychiatrist or psychologist. There are natural alternatives that contain hyperforin, known to work as well as antidepressant medications. Another effective treatment for this terrible disease is the support of other people who suffer from it. Whether you want it or someone pushes you to do it, there is help for depression.