DEPRESSION?

The loss of a family member or friend, end of a relationship, illness, or hormonal, neurological or physical changes such as menopause can be too much for a lot of people, many of whom are overtaken by feelings of sadness, dejection, hopelessness or pessimism, lack of motivation and fatigue. When such feelings persist for weeks or months and interfere with the ability to function normally, they can indicate one of the three types of depression: major depression; bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness; and dysthymia, or low-level depression.

Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects millions of people each year. Sadly, most people who suffer from depression never seek treatment for it, fearing about what others may think of them or not having the courage to face change on their own.

Depression puts a negative spin on everything, including the way you see yourself, the situations you encounter, and your expectations for the future. It drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to do what you need to feel better. Chances are you or someone you know will suffer from it in your lifetime. It is truly one of the most devastating of diseases. It robs you of the ability to simply enjoy life. 

Many depressed people are perfectionists, holding themselves to impossibly high standards and then beating themselves up when they fail to meet them. In order to overcome depression, you have to take care of yourself. This includes following a healthy lifestyle, learning to manage stress, setting limits on what you’re able 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. Pick up a former hobby or a sport you used to like. Express yourself creatively through music, art, or writing. Go out with friends.  Push yourself to do things, even when you don’t feel like it. You might be surprised at how much better you feel once you’re out in the world. Even if your depression doesn’t lift immediately, you’ll gradually feel more upbeat and energetic as you make time for fun activities.

Not only does stress prolong and worsen depression, but it can also trigger it.  Figure out all the things in your life that stress you out. Once you’ve identified your stressors, you can make a plan to avoid them or minimize their impact. A daily relaxation practice can help relieve symptoms of depression, reduce stress, and boost feelings of joy and well-being. Try yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation. 

Getting the support you need plays a big role in lifting the fog of depression and keeping it away. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression, but the very nature of depression makes it difficult to reach out for help. And even the thought of reaching out to even close family members and friends can seem overwhelming. You may feel ashamed, too exhausted to talk, or guilty for neglecting the relationship. Remind yourself that this is the depression talking. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness and it won’t mean you’re a burden to others. Share what you're going through with the people you love and trust, face to face if possible. The people you talk to don’t have to be able to fix you; they just need to be good listeners. Often when you’re depressed, it feels more comfortable to retreat into your shell, but being around other people will make you feel less depressed. Also, being with others dealing with depression can go a long way in reducing your sense of isolation. You can also encourage each other, give and receive advice on how to cope, and share your experiences.

Some people who suffer from depression seek treatment from specialists in mental health-psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

Make a point of talking about the positive things in your life and spending time doing things what make you feel positively.