Win The Battle Against Depression By Trying These Ideas
Mar 18
In life, there are good moments and there are bad moments. You can go from feeling like you are on top of the world to being down in the dumps. Sometimes people feel even lower than the lowest moments imaginable and experience depression. If this sounds like you, then this advice in this article should be helpful.
Understand that depression does NOT mean that you are crazy. Depression happens to tens of thousands of people and for tens of thousands of different reasons. It is a sign that you have hit a point where you may not be able to deal with things on your own. Take that sign as a gift and seek help.
Work on creating a positive and uplifting social life. Try hard to be more positive and show warmth to your friends and in social situations. Take an interest in them and work on developing and sharing the same interests and activities. Inform your friends and family that you want to be more positive and be more involved in their lives, as opposed to dwelling in your own depression.
Run yourself a soothing bath if you feel depression taking hold. Soft music, a book, or even lighting candles can change an ordinary bath into a relaxing experience. Keep the water nice and warm as you soak, as this helps to relax muscles.
When and if you are feeling suicidal you should do everything in your power to remind you that this is all in your head. If you even begin to entertain the idea of killing yourself you should immediately contact someone that you trust and ask them to come and talk you down.
If depression is the only company you keep, you will keep yourself depressed! As hard as it may be to face the world or anyone in it when you are feeling depressed, seeing a friend or family member may be the best remedy. Even if it's just to take your mind off of your troubles temporarily, you will find the company of others can go a long way in making you feel better!
Try to avoid being alone in your saddest moments. Whether you are talking to a trusted friend or just watching television with your spouse, being together with another person can often help you to feel as though you are not holding on to this entire problem yourself and this will alleviate some of the pain.
Avoid self medicating with over the counter or illicit drugs or alcohol. Some people who are depressed think drugs or alcohol can help them feel better, but they will really make them feel more depressed. Prolonged dependence on chemicals can lead to a host of other problems.
Do not blame yourself for your feelings of sadness when you have depression. Often times, people think that depression is their fault, when in fact, it is something that is beyond their control. The blame they put on themselves just ends up making their depression symptoms get worse and lowers their self esteem.
If you are prescribed antidepressants, make sure you take them. Don't think that you should control how much or how little you take, or when to stop. In many cases, it is a good idea to get patients off their medications slowly, since a sudden halt can backfire.
When it comes to depression, it is important to not drink alcohol as a means of dealing with your problems. This is important because alcohol in itself is a depressant and it may actually amplify your feelings, causing the opposite of what you are intending it to do. The numbing sensation of alcohol is only temporary.
Don't starve yourself if your depression is getting worse. Quite often, people who are depressed will not feel like eating much at all, never mind eating well. Regardless of what your appetite level is, you must still receive enough nutrients to keep a healthy body.
Turn to family or friends who have suffered from depression, if you are suffering from it yourself. Many times, talking with someone who has or has had depression in your past can help you feel better, since they know where you are coming from. Also, they may have ideas on what you can do to control your depression.
Fix any personal problems that are within your control. Take small steps by only working on one simple thing at a time. This is so that you don't feel overwhelmed and give up. Set goals for yourself and reward yourself when they are reached. Talk to other people for support and try not to let negative habits or thoughts get in the way.
Furthermore, life is full of good and bad moments. When you reach the lowest of the low, you may experience depression. If this is the case, then all you have to do is remember the advice from this article. Keep it in a place where you can easily refer to it when needed.