Managing Depression - Where To Start

Many who suffer from depression reject prescription drugs and prefer managing depression themselves. Exercise is often suggested as an alternative treatment for depression and has certainly been successful for me, but there are other ways you can help yourself.

Antidepressant drugs are usually the first choice to relieve the misery that depressed people are feeling. They are effective quite quickly, and the only effort required is to pop the pill onto your mouth and swallow it.

However, there is a lot you can do. Finding the best way for managing depression in your life, and to cope without using medication, takes effort, motivation and commitment - none of which come easily to a person with depression.

If you are reading this because you are, or think you may be depressed, you don't want to have me telling you to do this or that, more likely you'll be wanting some support to do anything!

If someone you care about dies, or you fail to achieve a goal, you'll probably feel grief and sadness - these feelings are just a part of life - normal and healthy. Depression is different from this kind of sadness in many ways. Take a look at the Depression Checklist, it will help you get a better understanding of what you are experiencing.

This is what depression is

• Depression feels hopeless, however good the reality of life is.
• Depression is illogical and unrealistic because your thoughts are distorted.
• Depression stops you functioning productively - emotional and physical paralysis I call it!
• Depression involves low self esteem and a sense of inferiority.
• Depression just goes on and on.
• Depression is an illness

And this is how you may be feeling....

• Tired and lacking energy
• Sad and tearful
• Low self-esteem
• Lacking motivation
• Sleeping badly
• Unable to concentrate and make decisions
• Feeling old and unattractive
• No interest in life
• No self-confidence
• Not eating properly - no appetite or bingeing
• Blame self for everything
• Loss of interest in sex
• Morbid thoughts

You don't need to tick all the boxes, if any 5 of these apply to you, then see your doctor.

When you have a better idea whether you are suffering from depression, or just going through a phase of sadness that will soon pass, you can begin to make some changes to your life.

If you are going to go down the self help route of managing depression I strongly advise you to have some good support, from your doctor or health care provider, and preferably those close to you, family and friends.

When you have made the decision that this is really what you want to do, make a personal plan. If your goal is 'managing depression' try to define what it means to you - maybe it is acknowledging and living with it, but not actually kicking yet - that's OK. The last thing you need is more pressure!

If you are going to start managing depression yourself you do need to make a plan - don't panic - you don't need to map out the rest of your life!

• Learn as much as you can about depression - talk with your doctor, ask him to recommend reading material. The more you know about the illness the better will you be able to plan your recovery.

• Be aware of triggers that make you feel particularly low or helpless - keeping a notebook may help you with this.

• When something makes you feel happy and positive about life, try and repeat it as often as possible. Buying yourself some flowers or cooking a special meal could be 'happy' triggers.

• Think positively - Remember that old saying about whether your glass is half full or half empty? Remind yourself every day that yours is half full.

• Set realistic goals - start small, achieving just one task a day, such as walking the dog, tidying a room, or clearing your desk can help you feel better, build up gradually.

• Exercise and depression are reported to be closely linked and is certainly a good idea to add some exercise to your daily routine. It doesn't cost anything to take a walk and you can start right away.

• Diet - what you eat can have a great effect on how you feel, start by reading about healthy eating guidelines.

• Join in some sociable activity - this is harder I know, some days even speaking is like climbing a mountain, but really, the knock on effect will be good.

If you've reached the bottom of this page then you've made a start towards managing depression. Keep building on this progress, one step at a time. I know how tough it can be, on a bad day life can seem hopeless, but I know from experience that you can, and will beat it eventually

The following quotation is one of many wonderful sad quotes specially chosen to help you understand the nature of sadness and turn those sad feelings to joy.

So now it's time to move on and consider trying some other approaches to reach the best depression treatment for you......

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Back from Managing Depression to Healthy Lifestyle Success home page

Exercise and Depression Symptoms of Depression May Be Significantly Reduced By Exercising

How Do You Know If You Are Living With Depression? When its more than just a bad hair day! Or maybe you've forgotten what 'normal' feels like.Living With A Depressed Person - Its tough living with a depressed person, you may even find yourself questioning who is depressed!

Depression Checklist - a list of symptoms to get you thinking about your moods, physical symptoms and state of mind.

Understand the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar depression differs as it has "two poles" - the highs and lows. You may heard it described as "manic depression" in the past.

Best Depression Treatment - Determining the best depression treatment often involves trying out some different approaches.

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