How to Deal With Depression

Being depressed is more than just feeling down. Depression can affect every area of your life. Often people who are depressed don't enjoy things like they use to. Your eating habits may change, your energy levels drop, and your libido may decline. Friends and relatives sometimes may put more pressure on you expecting you to just snap out of it. There are many things you can do to help yourself deal with depression.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Exercise. Exercise helps lift depression. Take a walk outside four to five times a week for at least a half an hour. A psychologist once told me that runners hardly ever suffer from depression. If you're not already exercising, start a exercise program slowly. You'll be surprised at how soon you can move faster and exercise for longer periods of time. Soon you should feel more energy and less depressed.

2. 

   Avoid alcohol, drugs, and nicotine. Alcohol is a depressant. Using drugs and nicotine diminish your body' s ability to detoxify itself. The better physical shape you're in, the better you will feel emotionally and the better you will be able to deal with depression.

3. 

   Get a complete physical to eliminate any health problems that might be causing your depression. Sometimes conditions like a thyroid problem can cause depression. You might also need to adjust the dosage of any prescriptions you are taking.

4. 

   To help you beat depression, eat as healthy as possible. Drink a lot of water. Take daily vitamins especially the "B" vitamins and omega-3 supplements.

5. 

   Many people who are depressed come from families with alcohol or drug problems. You might have been or are being affected by some one else's drinking or drug use or have your own co-dependancy problems. There are 12 Step programs that can help you deal with underlying issues that might be affecting your depression. Check out Al-anon if your life is affected by someone else's drinking. Don't suffer alone.

6. 

   Meditate and relax often. Find peace through nature, religion, spirituality or whatever works for you. There are many things you can do to deal with depression besides taking medication.

7. 

   To deal with depression, seek psychological help especially if you are feeling a lot of anxiety, feeling like you cannot function in everyday activities, or feeling suicidal.

8. 

   Find a self-help group that deals with depression. Be gentle with yourself. Remember, you are not alone. Many people suffer from depression.

Tips & Warnings

• People who are depressed sometimes have a chemical imbalance that can be helped with medication. See a psychiatrist if you feel you might need to take an antidepressant.
• If your symptoms include feeling unreal and detached from the world, you may be suffering from depersonalization. This disorder is commonly misdiagnosed because many doctors are not familiar with its symptoms. For more information about depersonalization, check out the website for my book in the resource section below. My site also has links for more information about depersonalization. If you think you may suffer from depersonalization, it's important to find a doctor who is familiar with the disorder. Many are not.
• Check with your doctor before staring any exercise program.
• If you are suicidal, see a doctor now.

Resources

• Al-anon
• Check out my personal story about depersonalization

[bethjess39564]

on 2/20/2009 Depression affects the entire family not just the depressed individual. Great sound advice.

[momoftwingirls]

on 1/18/2009 Good article. Here is my article on depression:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4457749_treat-depression-essential-oils.html

[dthere]

on 12/30/2008 But 'C' I love alcohol 'smile

[thenannysden]

on 9/2/2008 You put a lot of heart into this and it is well appreciated.

[amylaine]

on 7/24/2008 great article