| Depression is a much more common illness than many | | | | someone they care about as a way of reaching out. |
| people realize and affects two out of every ten | | | | Finding pleasure |
| people sometime during their lifetime. It can involve | | | | Taking time for simple pleasures will often lighten and |
| feelings of low self-esteem, hopelessness, | | | | lift one's mood. Something as simple as buying a |
| exhaustion, insomnia and actual physical aliments. | | | | bouquet of fresh flowers, watching the sunset, or |
| Feeling 'blue' can be considered a normal response to | | | | spending time with a pet can bring about a great deal |
| upsetting or difficult experiences, and these feelings | | | | of relief. "I forget to take time for me," is a common |
| will usually pass. Feeling down or completely out of | | | | complaint among those who suffer from depression. |
| energy for extended periods of time, however, is | | | | Fake it till you make it |
| not normal. | | | | Occasionally, just acting as if one is happy and |
| Keep in mind that we often want to solve difficulties | | | | confident can have the effect of changing the |
| in life that we have no control over. It is important, in | | | | down-and-out feelings. People around us react more |
| a preventative sense, to find ways of managing | | | | positively to a person who is more cheerful and |
| difficulties so those difficulties do not totally | | | | upbeat. |
| overwhelm our lives and rob us of vital life-energy. | | | | Many times it is challenging for people who feel |
| Feeling Alone | | | | depressed to take action-and they find themselves |
| Depression sometimes causes a person to withdraw | | | | immobilized in life. Seeking outside help can be the |
| from others. This, in turn, creates an ugly cycle of | | | | first step to making positive progress and managing |
| lessened self-worth, lowered confidence, and | | | | depression. |
| increased isolation from the outside world. "The world | | | | Group Therapy |
| doesn't feel safe anymore and I can't stand to be | | | | Connection with a group of people who have similar |
| out in public...," was something I heard from a client | | | | experiences can provide the positive support and |
| just recently. Fortunately, she realized that she | | | | concomitant reassurance that we are not alone in our |
| needed to seek medical help and make some | | | | struggles. Likewise, support groups often organize |
| changes. | | | | complementary therapies, such as art therapy, music |
| Alleviating Depression | | | | therapy or aromatherapy. Groups can also provide a |
| First of all, if the blues have lingered for more than a | | | | safe and supportive environment when the world |
| few days, a visit to the doctor is in order to | | | | isn't feeling safe. |
| determine if you are clinically depressed. In addition to | | | | Medical involvement is important because the physical |
| professional support, there are several self-help | | | | symptoms of depression may resemble those of a |
| strategies that can be used to make life happier: | | | | number of other conditions ranging from a low-grade |
| Self care | | | | environmental/allergic response to something much |
| Looking after general health can maximize the | | | | more problematic such as alcohol or chemical |
| chances of feeling better sooner and is an important | | | | addictions. Doctors can diagnose the root of the |
| part of self care. It is difficult to feel an overall sense | | | | depression and suggest a course of anti-depressant |
| of well-being if sleep is disturbed or inadequate, or if | | | | drugs or alternative therapies. Please keep in mind |
| the individual is avoiding healthy lifestyle habits. | | | | that taking prescriptions of any sort must be |
| Physical exercise | | | | considered carefully. |
| Although depressed people often don't feel they | | | | Can it be Cured? |
| have the energy to exercise, it is well documented | | | | Depression can be a deeply disturbing experience for |
| that endorphins-which create positive feelings of | | | | the patient and those around them. The good news |
| well-being--are released into the body during exercise. | | | | is that the majority of depressed people make a full |
| Creative activities | | | | recovery with appropriate treatment and go on to |
| Creative activities such as drawing, writing, or painting | | | | become more aware of themselves and those |
| can lift the mood by giving a sense of release, | | | | around them, more aware of their own needs and |
| control over one's time, and a sense of | | | | stronger in the long run. |
| accomplishment. | | | | If you feel that you are suffering from depression, it |
| Reaching out | | | | is important to visit a doctor to discuss symptoms. |
| By contacting a friend or relative, individuals can | | | | Medication, counseling, therapy or a combination of |
| engage with other "safe" people. A small but doable | | | | modalities may be suggested. You owe it to yourself |
| gesture for someone who is suffering from clinical | | | | to take the first step toward feeling better. |
| depression may be that of sending a greeting card to | | | | |