Treating Severe Depression

Posted on July 26, 2014 Written by

Depression is a painful illness that affects millions upon millions of people throughout the world. True clinical depression is much different than simply feeling a little down or blue. Depression is completely devastating and can destroy a person’s life. It can get so bad that a person is unable to function and even contemplates killing his or her self. If you are currently suffering from clinical depression, than you can understand the true nature of this horrific disorder. Although depression hurts more than almost anything else, being depressed is not a hopeless situation. There are a number of depression treatments that are effective. Depression does not have to last forever. This article is loaded with advice and tips to help you deal with severe depression.

Tips to Help Treat Depression

DepressionIf you are feeling severely depressed, the first step is for you to schedule an appointment with a professional. After being evaluated, you and your doctor can work together to come up with a treatment plan. If your depression is situational, simply talking with a therapist about your feelings and working through any issues you have may be enough to allow you to overcome your depression. If your depression is chemical in nature, you may need to begin taking prescription anti-depressant medications in order to help you alleviate your depression. Going on anti-depressants is a serious decision to make, so be sure to discuss all of the pros and cons, as well as side effects, with your doctor. Also, take time to talk with your friends and family members. If you know anyone who has ever taken anti-depressants, ask him or her for advice.

Spend time with your friends. During periods of depressive darkness and despair people often feel a desire to be totally alone. Isolating yourself during a depression is probably one of the worst things that you can do. The old saying is true, people really do need people. Spending time with others will allow you to get out of your self and focus on things other than your own suffering. True friends will understand that you are depressed and will want to support you.

Getting Started: Exercise for Depression

Engage in regular exercise and physical activity. Along with being great for your body’s physical health, exercise is also great for your mental health and well-being. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins which naturally improve feelings and mood. Perform some type of exercise every day and see if it boosts your depression.

Eat a healthy diet. If you are depressed you definitely do not want to stuff yourself with unhealthy junk foods or garbage. Eating bad may feel good for a short moment, but junk foods will ultimately cause you to crash and feel worse than you ever did before. Take a daily vitamin and concentrate on eating healthy, nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.

As was mentioned at the beginning of this article, depression is a terrible illness. Remember, as much as depression hurts at the moment, it is possible to come out the other side and feel better. Never give up on yourself!

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Things People Say About Depression That Are Not True

Posted on June 22, 2014 Written by

People say a lot of things about depression that are simply not true at all. These myths can make someone that suffers from depression feel a lot worse about themselves if they’re not sure what’s true or not. Educate yourself on what depression is by taking the myths below and figuring out if they are true or not.

Depression With Medications and Therapy

DepressionSome people think that depressed people are just having a case of “the blues” and that it is normal. Well, if you have been diagnosed with some sort of depression then you know that this isn’t the case. If you’re down and feeling sad for no reason at all for extended periods of time, it is a chemical imbalance that can be corrected with medication and therapy. This will not just go away if you have depression.

Suffering from depression doesn’t make you a weak person. Plenty of people that are well known have struggled with it, and many people are diagnosed with it every day. Sure, it wasn’t that well known in the past, but now that science is exploring the causes of it there are a lot more people getting diagnosed. It’s still kind of a newer science, so people still need to be educated that it’s a chemical imbalance.

Depression is not some kind of psychosis. It is caused by not producing certain chemicals in the brain enough. Mental disorders that include psychosis have people believing in things that are not true, or delusions. Depression is vastly different and takes a different class of medications to control. While it can be just as bad as other mental disorders, it is not the same in any way.

Depression with a chronic physical health problem

Some people think that mental disorders are just caused by stress and are a normal part of every day life. This is not true, however, because there are studies that show chemicals in the brain are responsible for mood. Having depression is very much like having a physical health problem. In fact, it can also affect your physical health. People should understand that if it were just stress, then it would go away when the stress went away.

Some people think they have to shield or protect the person that has depression. This could backfire and make the depressed person feel even worse, so don’t let this happen. How would you feel if you had a broken arm or something and people would try to do everything for you? Most people just want to be treated normally, so don’t treat anyone with any kind of illness any different. It’s very easy to spot others trying too hard to help, and it makes people look like they don’t know what they’re dealing with.

Depression is a fairly common mental disorder that lots of people struggle with daily. Even though there are tons of myths out there about depression, they mostly are not true. Treatment is available for depression, so don’t worry about what people think and get your life back on track.

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The Truth About Depression: 7 Common Myths, Busted

Posted on June 8, 2014 Written by

The myths surrounding depression are myriad; from unrealistic beliefs about the illness’ roots to misconceptions about treatment, these myths can hamper appropriate treatment. The following article provides a reality-check regarding seven of the most common myths about depression.

Seven Common Myths About Depression

MythsMyths #1: Everyone gets “the blues.” While it is true that sadness is a nearly universal emotion, depression is more than just feeling sad or down. Feelings of sadness, despair, or hopelessness that last for more than one week and that occur in the absence of grief or upheaval in one’s life are more than just “the blues.” They likely indicate clinical depression, a very real illness stemming from chemical imbalances within the brain.

Myths #2: Being depressed is a flaw of one’s personality, or it means that a person is weak. Even the strongest, most vibrant people can succumb to depression, and many suffer silently due to fear of being judged as weak or flawed. Depression is not a matter of personality, nor does it indicate a lack of strength or willpower.

Myths #3: Depression and psychosis are the same thing. The vast majority of people suffering from clinical depression are not delusional, nor do they experience a break from reality, as is typically seen in those experiencing psychosis. While psychotic depression is a real disorder, it is not at all what the average person with depression experiences.

Myths #4: Being depressed means one is just stressed out. While stress can certainly exacerbate episodes of depression, not all depression is stress-related. Many people have tried in vain to eliminate stress from their lives, only to find that they remain depressed. Because depression stems from problems within the brain’s chemistry, stress reduction alone is not enough to “cure” the disease.

Myths #5: Depression goes away on its own, eventually. For some people, this may be true, but for most, treating depression requires professional help. Therapy, counseling, and medications can not only shorten the duration of depressive episodes, but they can prevent future episodes and provide valuable coping skills. No one should feel that he or she must “tough it out” or “suck it up,” when there are so many forms of treatment that can provide relief sooner.

Myths #6: If a family member is depressed, other family members will be, too. Genetics and heredity do play a role in the development of some mental illness, but having a family member with depression is not a guarantee that it will develop.

Myths #7: People with depression are fragile and must be shielded. Some well-meaning friends and family members withhold potentially stressful information from those suffering from depression. Others may unintentionally leave a depressed person out of social events, fearing that they won’t want to participate or will be overwhelmed. Shielding those with depression from life’s joys and sorrows is likely to make the person feel burdensome, lonely, weak or unimportant; being inclusive and treating them normally is important.

Depression is surprisingly common, and so are the myths surrounding the illness. Those suffering from depression, as well as their friends and loved ones, can use the information in this article to combat some of the most common misconceptions and raise awareness about the true nature of the disease.

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Seven Ways to Manage Depression

Posted on March 25, 2014 Written by

Depression is a draining, debilitating illness that can suck the life out of you, making it very difficult to do what is necessary to overcome it. While taking the following steps can be difficult, they can help you to improve your outlook and begin healing.

Simple Ways To Manage Your Depression

Depression1. Set small goals for yourself. While “get dressed and eat breakfast” might seem overly simplistic, starting with small, attainable goals — and consistently reaching them — reminds you that you are capable. Small successes can give you the boost you need to accomplish bigger things, such as calling your therapist, or reaching out to a friend.

2. Treat yourself for accomplishing your goals. Rewards are essential to a good goal-setting system. They provide an incentive to reach your goals, which is hugely motivating. Rewards also give you something positive to focus your attention on and look forward to.

3. Ask your loved ones for help and advice. Your friends and family can be great resources of strength when you simply don’t have it. Whether you just need to talk or need some assistance with household tasks, childcare, or other responsibilities, trusted relatives and close friends may be able to help you pick up the slack when you simply don’t have the energy.

4. Be social, even when you don’t feel up to it. While you may not be able to face a loud, crowded club or a huge party, meeting a friend for coffee or taking your pooch to the dog park gives you a chance to connect with other people in low-key settings. Small doses of socializing not only serve to get you out of the house, but they can help you focus on something other than your negative thoughts and feelings.

ideas for coping with your depression

5. Consider joining an online or in-person support group. Local churches or health organizations are good resources for finding support groups. Discussing your issues with those who are experiencing the same feelings can be immensely helpful. Not only will you find that you aren’t alone, but you may pick up new ideas for coping with your depression while sharing your own coping mechanisms.

6. Do not expect perfection from yourself. If your expectations are too high, you are doomed to fail, worsening the feelings of guilt and helplessness brought on by depression. Instead, give yourself some wiggle room and accept you will not always make the best decisions, say the right things, or act in the right way, and you certainly cannot please everyone.

7. Avoid toxic, negative people. There is nothing worse than seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, only to have your feelings spiral downward again due to the comments or attitudes of others. If certain people consistently say or do things that you find problematic, it may be best to distance yourself from those people as you recover, at least temporarily.

Depression is a serious, debilitating disorder, but with these steps and professional assistance from your physician, therapist or psychiatrist, you can recover and find the good in life once more.

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Take Depression On With These Great Tips!

Posted on January 26, 2014 Written by

Everybody has a bad day and gets depressed sometimes, but if this is something that happens to you frequently and generally without reason, you need to take action quickly. Depression is a very serious illness and should be treated as such. Here is some advice on figuring out what to do if you’re feeling depressed more than normal.

Depression: A Serious but Treatable Illness

DepressionOnly a health professional can tell you if you really are having a problem with depression and can help you out with medication. If you’re having a depressive spell that goes on for longer than a few days, it’s time to go to a professional. Call your family’s doctor and see what they recommend you do, or look up psychiatrists in your area. Depending on how severe your depression is, you may just end up in therapy, on medication or both.

Find someone close to you that you can reach when you’re having a hard time dealing with things. Just being able to get something off of your chest and know that someone else cares can alleviate some depression. Be sure that this person keeps everything you tell them to themselves. Warn them that if things sound serious enough, they should be prepared to contact a healthcare professional.

A change of environment can get you away from the things that make you feel down. Taking your mind off of things by doing something is important sometimes. If you’re too depressed to go out, invite someone over to do something with you like watch a movie. Anything that stops you from thinking about whatever it is that’s getting you down can be beneficial to you.

Binge Drinking and Depression

Some people feel like their depression is lifted when they drink alcohol or indulge in various substances. Sure, this may mask the problem at first, but most of the drugs are actually depressants themselves. After you start to come down off of drinking, you’ll feel a lot worse than when you started out. Becoming addicted to something that is bad for you is another problem and will just make things that much more difficult to take on. Be very careful when self medicating; it is very dangerous if you are not.

Remember that you’re not the only person that suffers from depression and that it’s not something you can control. It’s just as much a disorder as any other health problem, and it can be taken care of. While it takes a while to find the right combination of therapy and medication, people with depression can lead normal lives. Once you do find out what helps you, stay with it even when you start to feel better because it will come back if you stop.

Being depressed is something that can take over you life if you are not careful. Once you start to notice it coming into your life and making things more difficult, it’s time to get some help. Use the things that were gone over in this article and don’t face depression on your own.

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Hope And Healing For Depression Sufferers

Posted on September 24, 2013 Written by

Although millions of men and women of all ages battle depression at any given time, mental illnesses are often considered somewhat taboo as a topic for discussion. This way of thinking is common, but it can also be deadly. This article outlines some of the basic strategies that have helped others to succeed and live a happy, healthy life. Look for opportunities to try each one out over the course of the day until you find one that works best for you.

Battle Depression & Mental illnesses

DepressionMany people find that joining a support group is helpful. Participating in these groups benefits you because you are surrounded by people from all backgrounds who are fighting the same challenges that you are. In most cases, you can find a support group with local roots that will allow you to more closely interact with the community. If you are unable to travel outside of your home, you also have the option to join an online support group. These sites offer both structured and unstructured tools and methods for battling your symptoms and allow you to connect with people from all over the world.

Another popular approach is to focus on structuring and planning your days, although some prefer to plan out an entire week in advance. Creating a schedule helps you to stay on task and remain productive rather than letting boredom and discontent get the best of your emotional health. For example, you might consider adding in a regular activity like exercise, volunteer work or even meditation. Setting aside specific time slots to devote to these activities makes you more likely to make it through the day without any overwhelming episodes.

It is not uncommon for people with depression to hide their condition and concerns from their friends and family. Unfortunately, keeping something so important locked inside often has serious consequences. Discussing your feelings and progress with another person–a family member, counselor or spiritual adviser–helps to promote the healing process and prevent you from withdrawing even further into yourself.

Symptoms Lethargy Depression

Need motivation to hit the gym? Apathy and lethargy are key symptoms of depression, but they can be overcome by including exercise and physical activities into your lifestyle. Numerous studies have shown that even a half-hour of physical activities every day can have a significant impact on the severity and frequency with which they experienced their most problematic symptoms. Mood elevation AND a great chance to become more fit? What’s not to love about that! You might also consider joining a sports team to work in your physical fitness. You’ll benefit from the new friendships with your teammates and will find yourself looking forward to your next practice.

Instead of letting depression define you, fight back! It’s time to cast off your preconceived notions of this common disorder and face the issues that may have been keeping you from getting the help you need. It may be difficult or even overwhelming at first, but millions of men and women have discovered that overcoming depression IS possible and that it can be achieved either with or without taking prescription medications. Smile!

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Things You Should Understand About Depression

Posted on September 15, 2013 Written by

Depression is a condition that afflicts millions of people around you. You might even fight it yourself sometimes. There are many reasons why it can set in, and far fewer ways it goes away. It helps to know a few things about depression, should the day come that you face it yourself. Keep reading into the following paragraphs for more about this condition.

Depression Affects Over 350 Million People Worldwide

DepressionSomething interesting to note from the animal kingdom is what certain animals do when their body is under undue stress: they manifest high levels of vitamin C. B vitamins are also sometimes released. Even if you do not feel like flipping over your whole diet, at least make sure that your basic nutritional requirements are being met.

Booze might seem a quick break from your depression, but that quick relief comes at a cost of extending and deepening your depression. Once the buzz of the first few hours is over, your body will be far more reluctant to exercise or get up and do anything. You also trash your sleep rythyms.

Have you ever heard about seasonal affective disorder? It is real, and individuals do get depressed simply because of the shorter days and colder temperatures. As many as one in twenty Americans suffer this. However, a sliver of these seasonally depressed individuals are in reverse and get it in the summer. Some research indicates that SAD is more linked to summer in equatorial nations, like India or Brazil. The good news here is that your depression will go away in a few months and you know to prepare for it in advance the next year.

Try to have a life. This is not about getting a life, nor an implication that you do not have one. The idea is that whatever you have focused your life on leading to depression might be what is depressing you. It is common for many adults to put everything into their line of work or profession, so a career setback suddenly becomes a personal setback. Have a personal and social life distinct from how you make a living so that there is a boundary your depression does not cross.

How You Can Kick Your Depression Naturally

There is a whole world of medications that can possibly kick your depression to the curb in one simple pill. These are not magic pills that will leave you smiling around the clock, but they will get you back to normal. Antidepressants in the bupropion family, like Wellbutrin and Aplenzin, are very popular. Doctors trust them because they only slightly alter brain chemistry, and patients like them because of limited and gentle side effects. You do run the risk of upset stomach, insomnia, anxiety and headaches, but dosage switches can reduce this, and depression might be doing them to you already. Bupropion based pills are also a lot less likely to have sexual side effects than older antidepressants.

Since depression is among the more prevalent mental afflictions in the modern times, it also has the highest chances of being treated successfully. This can be done by a professional, or sometimes just the sufferer alone. Knowledge is power, and the wisdom of this article should help you fight off depression should you ever fall under its influence.

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Five Great Tips for Defeating the Depression Monster

Posted on August 9, 2013 Written by

Solving the problem of depression should never be a temporary event. Take a few moments to sit down, find the root of the problem, and seek assistance with resolving these problems. Do everything within your power to make the trip easier along the way. The little things in life can all begin to add together and the weigh will become overwhelming. These tips can go a long ways towards removing this weight and improving your attitude.

Problem Solving-Depression

DepressionSocial situations keep the attitude alive and encourage new relationships with people who care. Mark the calendar and set aside a few days to get out and visit the town. Try scheduling a local event or activity where you know other people will be attending. Take the first step and start the conversation with your neighbor. Sometimes, all that is needed to remove the suffering is a little support.

Start a small journal or diary. Record your daily activities and mark any significant moments that encouraged you to push forward or caused you to slow down. Within your journal, keep a detailed log of any negative thoughts and the topics they covered. A journal is extremely personal and a place where you can record your mind in total confidence.

Sleep is necessary for keeping the mind fresh and the body healthy. Stress is the worst enemy when you are already dealing with a depression outlook. No sleep leads to increased stress and increased stress never helps. A few hours of exercise is also a great solution for removing the day’s turmoils. Play your favorite song and take a jog through the woods.

Supporting Your Loved One With Depression

Relaxation is always a recommended part of the daily routine. An hour or two in silence will give you the time you need to reflect on your past and plan your future. Use this time to dig deeper towards your core problems in life and begin planning a strategy for the road ahead. Don’t record the ideas or involve yourself in any other activities at the moment; meditation is only for the mind. When you are finished, find a journal or log and write down the better ideas.

Support is absolutely necessary to remedy this sickness. Find family, friends, or other loved ones that are willing to take a few moments and discuss your disorder. It may seem as though you are alone, but there are always others willing to lend a helping hand. Supportive relationships are the best source of relief when you are unable to find a professional or other outlet. Never keep your pains to yourself and never be embarrassed to ask a friend for help.

The tips above are as powerful as any high-grade medication. The specialist would advise many of the same techniques and they have been proven to work for many different individuals suffering from depression. This state of mind does not have to be a struggle for the rest of your life and now is the time to act. Find others who have already won this battle and listen carefully to the ideas that they have to offer. You are not alone in the world when you are depression, but the above information is one of a kind.

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Simple Ways To Battle Feelings Of Depression

Posted on July 31, 2013 Written by

Whether you’ve battled depression your entire life or have only recently started to experienced extreme feelings of depression, take comfort in knowing that there are many things you can do to restore peace. Even those who have not formally been diagnosed with a mood disorder find themselves feeling this way at some point in life. Fortunately, this is not something you must live day in and day out. This article offers a few simple solutions to stave off depression and help you to feel more like yourself.Continue the read this article more tips and simple ways to battle feelings of depression.

Simple Ways On How To Battle Feelings Of Depression

Feelings Of DepressionWe’ve all heard that we need at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep, but how many people actually make an effort to get a good night’s rest? With work, school and family issues, it can be difficult to carve out this much-needed downtime. Understand that sleep is non-negotiable; it is almost impossible to function and feel your very best when you do not care for your mind and body. When we are excessively tired, it becomes difficult to do our best work. When we cannot fulfill our potential, we become distressed.

It’s easy to live a walled-in life in front of your desk, television or computer. When this happens, we miss out on a world of fresh air, physical activity and self-nurturing freedom. Vitamin D from the sunlight actually contributes to your mood, so it is important to soak up some rays here and there. Of course, you should always wear sunscreen if you plan to spend prolonged time outdoors! Even if you spend only 15 or 30 minutes doing yard work or walking the dog, you should notice marked improvements in your mood.

Managing The Feelings of Depression

If your depression is rooted in the poor quality of your interpersonal relationships, you may find comfort in taking time to discuss your feelings with others. Should you feel nervous about directly approaching a friend, family member or coworker with your concerns, it may be more helpful to make an appointment with a licensed counselor or therapist. These professionals are trained to help you work through your relationships with others in a healthy, objective and encouraging manner.

Exercise and other physical activities are a surefire way to support a healthy body and mind. Things like jogging, swimming or playing sports floods your body with feelgood endorphins, boosting your mood as you strengthen your bones and muscles. This approach is especially effective for those whose feelings of depression are compounded by self-image issues. Becoming toned, healthy and strong works wonders for your self-esteem, which often helps you to become more confident in social settings and more driven at school and work. Besides, when’s the last time you heard someone say they felt more depressed after a great workout? Exactly.

Depression affects million of men and women of all ages, which means that you’re never alone in your battle. The ideas from this article are only a small sampling of the incredible support and resources you will find out there. Life is a gift even when it seems things aren’t going our way. If you struggle with severe depression, do not hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional, therapist or even a faith-based counselor or group.

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How To Treat Depression

Posted on June 8, 2013 Written by

Depression is an extremely serious medical disorder that afflicts millions of people worldwide. Anyone who has ever experienced true clinical depression knows just how debilitating it can be. Depression is much more than just feeling down or a little bit sad. Everyone feels sad sometimes, but clinical depression is a whole different level of agony.

If left untreated, depression can worsen and lead to a number of terrible consequences, even suicide. If you or someone that you know is currently suffering from depression, the depression treatment information contained within the following paragraphs of this article will be of use to you. Read on to learn how to treat depression.

How to Treat Depression With Diet

Diet impacts all areas of health. If you are dealing with depression, make sure that you are eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. You may want to purchase a juicer so that you can make yourself fresh vegetable juices, this will ensure that your body gets all of the nutrients that it needs. Avoid sugary, processed foods that will spike your insulin levels and leave you feeling worse than ever. Instead of snacking on potato chips, eat some baby carrots or a piece of fruit.

Treat DepressionExercise on a regular basis. Exercise, along with improving your body’s physical health, is absolutely great for your mental well-being. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins which will naturally boost your mood. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to fight against depression.

Depression may make you want to isolate yourself; this is the worst thing you can do. Make an effort to spend time with close friends and family members. Spending time with loved ones will help you to fight your depression.

If you have severe clinical depression, exercising, eating right and spending time with loved ones may not be enough, you may need professional help. A psychiatrist can evaluate your current condition and determine if you would possibly benefit from taking prescription anti-depressant medications. Often times depressed people have a chemical imbalance in their brains. Ant-depressant medications can help correct this imbalance and work to alleviate depression. All medications have side-effects, so be sure to consider carefully whether or not trying prescription medication is right for you.

Do psychologists really work to help treat depression

Schedule an appointment to visit a licensed clinical psychologist. Talking with a counselor about your problems can help you to feel much better. A psychologist can give you a plan of action to help treat depression.

Join a support group. People who have not gone through a major depression simply do not understand what it is like and how difficult it is. By joining a support group you can talk with other people who are going through the same thing that you are. This can be very beneficial.

Get out of the house. Staying alone in bed all day will not alleviate your depression. Go for a walk or a bike ride and feel the sun on your face. You may be surprised at how much better you feel.

Depression hurts. Use the tips contained in this article to help you treat depression. Good luck!

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