Depression Handling Tips

DepressionHandling Tips

In the 1950's and 60's, depression was divided into two types, endogenousand neurotic. Endogenous means that the depression comes Depression Handling Tips

fromwithin the body, perhaps of genetic origin, or comes out of no where.

Neurotic or reactive depression has a clear environmental precipitatingfactor, such as the death of a spouse, or other significant loss, suchas the loss of a job. In the 1970'sand 80's, the focus of attentionshifted from the cause of depression to its effects on the afflictedpeople.

Last Updated - 26th September 2005

That is to say, whatever the cause in a particular case, what are thesymptoms and impaired functions that experts can agree make up a depressivedisorder? most experts agree that:

A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflectsa sad mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, thesadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity andduration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities thanis normal.

Depression symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts,moods, and behaviors, but also by specific changes in bodily functions(e.g.,eating, sleeping, and sexual activity). The functional changesare often called neurovegetative signs.

Certain people with depressive disorder, especially bipolar depression(manic depression), seem to have an inherited vulnerability to thiscondition.

Depressive disorders are a huge public health problem.

In 1990, depression cost the United States 43 billion dollars inboth direct costs, which are the treatment costs, and indirect costs,such as lost productivity and absenteeism.

In a major medical study, depression caused significant problemsin the functioning of those affected more often than did arthritis,hypertension, chronic lung disease, and diabetes, and in two categoriesof problems, as oftenas coronary artery disease.

Depression can increase the risks for developing coronary arterydisease,HIV, asthma, and some other medical illnesses. Furthermore,it can increase the morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) fromthese conditions.

Depression is usually first identified in a primary care setting,not in a mental health practitioner's office. Moreover, it often assumesvarious disguises, which causes depression to be frequently under-diagnosed.

In spite of clear research evidence and clinical guidelines regardingtherapy, depression is often under-treated. Hopefully, this situationcan change for the better.

For full recovery from a mood disorder, regardless of whether thereis a precipitating factor or it seems to come out of the blue, treatmentswith medications and / or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) andpsychotherapyare necessary.

Tips to Handle Depression

Try to accept your depression as an illness. You cannot will thedepression away.

Try to do things that you enjoy — visit friends, get a massage,take a class — to get your mind off what may be contributingto the depression and to focus on things that help you feel better.

Delay any big decisions or changes that involve work, love, or moneyuntil you feel better.

It's common to be forgetful when you're depressed, stressed out,or anxious. Take notes and make lists. Your memory will improve whenyou feel better.

Waking through the night is very common. It's better to get outof bed until you feel sleepy again. Repeated awakening in the earlymorning without being able to return to sleep easily is a sign thatmedical evaluation is needed.

Take naps when you can to keep up with needed sleep.

Mornings are often the worst time. The day usually gets better towardsevening.

Avoid being home alone for long periods — the depressive thoughtscan get worse when no one is around.

Get outside at least once a day for a walk. Light to moderate exerciseof any kind can be very helpful to your recovery.

Don't try to "medicate" yourself with alcohol or drugs.These drugs may actually make you more depressed than you were tobegin with.

MEET PEOPLE AND TALK. - Find a friend who you can relateto. Try to make other friends, if even to just talk on the phone.Try to make friends using Instant Messaging, play games online orjust send friendly emails to those you know. Go out with friends.Watch movies / plays or just go to a park to hang out.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP - Try sleeping for two hours during theday, if you are home and go to your bed early at nights. Take a fewminutes at work and sleep, if you can. It really helps.

EAT HEALTHILY - Don't stuff yourself with fast food. Eatat restaurants where they prepare home-cooked meals. Try not to starveyourself no matter what. If you have a big appetite, try preparingfoods that you actually 'feel' for.

There will be times you're in a crowd and you still feel alone.There will be times you're in the company of loved ones, but you stillfeel unloved. These are all side effects of depression. You can combatthese by merely talking to yourself and reassuring yourself that thisis just a phase that will pass and that you are in fact loved andyou're not alone. Keep reasuing yourself when you feel down, thatyou are blessed and you have reasons to be grateful. List these reasons,type them out and put them up in your office or bedroom to constantlyremind yourself. If you sit down and sulk, you will allow depressionto rule. You have to realize that this is a choice and you can choosenot to stay in that state of depression. Fight back and eventuallyyou will win.

What to do if someone you love is depressed?

It can be difficult to be around a person who is depressed. You mayfeel helpless and sometimes angry, particularly if the person is irritableand doesn't respond when you reach out. Keep reminding yourself thatthe person is ill and doesn't mean to be hurtful or unresponsive.

You can't relieve clinical depression with love alone any more thanyou can cure heart disease or diabetes with just love. People who aredepressed need professional help, and some require medication.

On the other hand, social support improves treatment results in manyserious illnesses, including depression. Reach out to your depressedfriend / partner / family member so that he or she knows that you care.Call. Send affectionate notes. Invite the person to dinner, movies,ball games, parties, and other events. But keep your expectations low.Even if she / he doesn’t respond, you can be sure that she/he appreciatesyour attempts.

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