How to Live With Depression

There are millions of Americans who are living with various degrees of depression. The innate hopelessness of depression can make it difficult to manage, but through proper treatment and support it is possible to help a person live with this condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Change Your Lifestyle to Live With Depression

1. Start exercising daily. Aim for 30 minute of exercise 5 days per week. An active lifestyle is key for anyone who wants to live with depression. Also, exercise increases the brain's production of certain chemicals which help fight depression.
2. Consider moving to a warmer climate. Some people suffer from seasonal depression during the winter. Moving closer to the equator means that winter won't be quite as dark. The increased sunlight will help those with this kind of depression.
3. Convince yourself that you'll be happy. Having a strong positive attitude will help you live with and hopefully treat your depression. Family members and strong social support are essential to helping you keep a smile on your face.
4. Think about a career change. Working a job that you don't like can often cause depression. Perhaps a career change will cure your depression. It might also be possible for you to go back to school and further your education. A new degree could be the key to getting a new job that you love.

Use Treatment to Live With Depression

5. Understand there are many different causes of depression. You should meet with your doctor to find out if your depression is seasonal, chemical, hereditary or based on a combination of these and other factors.
6. Find an effective treatment. Different causes of depression require different treatments. For example, your doctor may suggest you remove yourself from a troubling situation to relieve your depression. However, should that not seem to be effective, he may suggest you begin taking prescription medications, such as Paxil, Prozac or Zoloft.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many different support groups in the United States to help people cope with their depression. These groups, like the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, serve as an important aid for those living with depression (see Resources below).
• Ask your doctor about the possibility of obtaining prescription medications to treat your condition.
• Get support from friends and family members to help you work through difficult times in your life.
• Don't be afraid to see several different doctors. Getting a second opinion is often the best way to find the most effective treatment.
• Some depression medications may cause side effects like insomnia, frequent urination and dry mouth.
• Never stop taking depression medication without consulting your doctor. Abruptly stopping treatment may cause your depression to worsen.