How to Fight Depression

Depression hurts, more and more people struggle with depression. Some cases are more severe than others. First it's important to find out what kind of depression you're suffering from. Psychotic depression, Major Depression, Melancholic depression, Atypical depression, or Postpartum depression. I've battled depression myself, and here's some steps to help fight it. Just never give up, and know there's people who will support and help.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Therapist
• Medication(seek your therapist's advice)
• friend and family

1. Check out what your symptoms are.
   
   Being sad is a form of depression, but some are much more severe than others. Anger, fear, loss in interest, guilt, anti-social, anxiety, panic attacks, and substance abuse are all serious symptoms of depression.

2. Make sure you're eating properly.
   
   Simply eating carries weight on our mood, believe it or not. Eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fish in your diet. If you don't like fish, at least get more omega-3 into your diet. Eat Walnuts(which has a high source of omega-3), strawberry's, spinach, broccoli and salmon(if you like fish), squash, and sugar beets. Scientists have found the foods we eat, can trigger brain chemicals. Eating is really important. Try to avoid eating a lot of cereal and foods with vegetable oils. I've read that people are more prone to depression who consume a high quantity. Drink grape fruits, or more juices. Avoid a lot of sodas.

3. Go get some professional help.
   
   If you have a serve case of depression. See a psychiatrist. See one even if you just have a modern case of it, actually. These people are professionals and will give you the help you need. They'll probably put you on an antidepressant like prozac. Ask your psychiatrist, don't self medicate.

4. Take omega-3 fish oils and drink green tea.
   
   This will improve your overall moods. Especially omega-3, which is extremely healthy for the brain. Take a few a day with each meal.

5. Make sure you know you're not alone.
   
   People who deal with depression, feel this sense of panic and anxiety. Depression really is scary, but don't be afraid to talk about it. Join groups and share your experiences with others. Don't be afraid to open up about it. It's easier to find the solution if you open up about it. Talk to others who've experienced depression. You can really learn a lot and realize you're not alone. Others are, or have gone through what you are.

6. Try not to feel so embarrassed.
   
   Don't be ashamed to get the proper help. Be strong and don't be afraid. This is probably the most difficult part of depression, is being afraid to go and get the help. If you're to a point that you feel all alone, scared, and can't do anything. PLEASE seek a professional right away.

7. Try to learn to think about the positive, and forget the negative.
   
   Try to change your thinking. There's always negative and positive things that happen. It's part of life, but try to learn to block out the negative. Remember, NO ONE is perfect and we all have bumps in life. Remember that part, we all have problems. So cut yourself some slack. You can go to a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy if you're having problems with this.

8. Make yourself feel good by working out.
   
   Seriously, this is a great way to feel good physically and then give you a sense of pride mentally. Is there any better way to feel good, when you've achieved something? Make a goal to lose 8 pounds, or run a few miles. Feel the self accomplishment in achieving something.

9. Go to anger management if needed.
   
   Let your anger out. Let go of the grudges. Anger is one of the leading symptoms in depression. Don't be so angry and mad all the time. Do you drink a lot and do drugs? That may trigger a lot of your anger? Have you been hurt by people and their actions? The world and people in general aren't out to hurt you. Actually, the people who are depressed use their anger the most on their loved ones. I should know, I've been down that path. Seek anger management help, if this is a real problem for you. Learn to forgive people. It really helps. It's easy to be angry, it takes someone tough minded to forgive.

10. Go to church.
    
    Develop a need for religion. At least try it. Okay, I'm not here to force religion on anyone, but I've personally developed a relationship with God, that's really helped me a lot. Have something to believe in. Have faith in something. Have some source of direction and follow it.

11. Make sure you're not over doing it.
    
    Take a break. Don't press yourself. Stress can be a leading cause in depression, take baby steps when working on something. Don't rush things. Take it slow, be patient. Think things through. Go on a vacation, and take a break if needed. Give yourself a peace of mind.

12. Make yourself laugh.
    
    Learn to laugh. Don't take everything in life so seriously. Learn to laugh more, and maybe change the movies or tv shows you watch. Maybe watching things that are sad, depressing itself, effects your mood. Watch some off the wall, comedies. Expose that inner child in yourself. You'll feel good doing this!

13. Go do new things.
    
    Sometimes your mind needs something new. Maybe you need a change in life, and your conscience is screaming that at you. Learn to play the guitar, or experience things you've never experienced before. Open up your mind, and try something completely different. This is good for you, it teaches you more about yourself.

14. Start to listen to more music.
    
    Music is great for your mind. Listen to music that inspires you, that encourages you. Listen to what you can relate to. Bring a lot of music in your life.

Tips & Warnings

• Never give up

Resources

• Overcoming challenges
• Gaining Self confidence
• How to be a better person
• How to be happy
• How to sleep better

[mommyhen42]

on 9/26/2009 all awesome advice about fighting depression. Many people we know are fighting it every day, they simply put on a mask and hide their inner feelings to just get through the day, then later on when they are alone their world comes crashing down. Without a network of friends, your doctor, church and a qualified counselor there is no healing and getting back to what the rest of the world calls normal

[explainitplease]

on 8/22/2009 Wonderful article. You did a great job of identifying the symptoms, and offering solutions. Well done.

[mboone84]

on 8/22/2009 Knowing and actually having support really help, they are the first steps to getting rid of really any problem

[autumn1234567]

on 8/18/2009 Really great tips on managing depression. Many people can beneifit from this article. 5*

[harvard]

on 8/16/2009 You're going to put a lot of shrinks out of business with an article like this. Albert Einstein doesn't recognize the concept of common sense (merely a prejudice formed befor the age of 18), but your article here renews the battle. Intelligence and sense say one thing, wisdom, on the other hand, points the way. You point well.