Depression, a serious disease that entails more than “feeling down,” can make it difficult to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. While the tips that follow will not necessarily cure your depression on their own, they can jump-start the process of recovery and when depression comes knocking.
Tips For Deal When Depression Comes Knocking
1. Learn more about what you are experiencing. Reading about depression reinforces the fact that you aren’t alone, and it helps you to understand your symptoms and how “normal” they are in the context of your disease. It can also help you to understand the different types of treatment available, and what you can expect from treatment.
2. Journal your emotions and thoughts. Writing in a journal is a good way to both record and examine your feelings. Even if you never go back and reread what you wrote, the act of pouring your thoughts onto paper can feel liberating, as though you are freeing yourself from negativity, to some extent. Your journals could also serve as conversation-starters if you aren’t sure what to discuss in therapy. Try writing at least something each and every day.
3. Seek a support group. No one understands depression quite like those who have experienced it themselves, so a support group may be a way for your to both give and receive support as you recover. A support group may also be able to help you find mental health care or other resources.
4. Lean on your family. Trying to hide depression from those to whom your are closest is almost always a futile effort. Instead, tell your family how you feel and what you are going through. While they may have a hard time understanding, especially if they have never experienced depression, your family can be a pillar of support when you need it most.
5. Talk to your doctor. A family doctor or general practitioner may be the only doctor you have, and that’s okay. These physicians can direct you to the appropriate resources or give you referrals to psychiatrists or psychologists who can help you heal. Your family doctor can also prescribe anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications or sleep aides.
6. Explore your treatment options. You may have a preconceived notion that therapy won’t help you or that medications will make you feel a certain way–but you can’t know until you try. Keep an open mind regarding the treatments your doctors or therapists recommend. You may have to try a few anti-depressants, for instance, to find the one that is best for your brain chemistry, but the right drug may improve your illness by leaps and bounds.
7. Look for free or low-cost mental health resources if your income is low. Some mental health professionals charge on a sliding-scale basis, and others offer discounts for uninsured patients who pay with cash. There are also free or inexpensive clinics and programs available in many cities. Don’t assume that mental health treatment is only available to those who are well-off.
When you fall into an episode of depression, remind yourself that it is an illness–a treatable one, at that–and do not succumb to those feelings of hopelessness. With these tips for when depression comes knocking, you can manage your disease as you get help that will allow you to recover and feel more like yourself again.