CW: depression, psychiatric medications, suicide
Around 16 million adults of all backgrounds will experience depression in their lifetimes- that's 7% of the world's population (NAMI). Depression is more than just feeling sad once in a while. It's a serious mental health condition that impacts the ability of those affected to do daily tasks, work, sustain relationships, and otherwise engage in their lives. Depression can cause sleeping too little, sleeping too much, eating too little, eating too much, agitated movement, thoughts of self harm or suicide, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, difficulty focusing, executive dysfunction, loss of energy, physical aches and pains, and other symptoms (NAMI).
I experience severe depression when I am not taking antidepressants, to the point of being unable to get out of bed and feeling nearly constantly suicidal and more mild depression when I'm on antidepressants.
There are a number of things you can try to help combat depression:
1) Therapy- Therapy takes time to work, and it's important to find a good therapist who actually listens to you, but therapy can help you work through past traumas, change harmful thought patterns, and find new ways to lessen the impact of your depression.
2) Medication- It can take a number of tries to find the right medication for you, but once you do, it can be life-changing. If you need psychiatric medication, getting on the right one can cause a drastic improvement in your symptoms (as it did for me).
3) Exercise- Exercise is not only a positive coping mechanism, but it releases feel-good endorphins, which can give your mood a temporary boost (Mayo Clinic).
4) Chocolate- My old counselor said that eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate, causes your brain to release seratonin, which temporarily boosts your mood, as well.
5) Be clean- Bathing can be especially hard with depression, but if you can't bathe, you may feel worlds better if you can spray some dry shampoo in your hair and wipe down with baby wipes. Wash your hands. Swish some mouthwash. Whatever you're able to do to be clean will likely make you feel better.
5) Don't self-isolate- Call, instant message, or go see friends. If you can't do that, in the US, text the crisis line at 741-741 or call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255, if you need to. Don't let yourself be completely isolated if it causes your depression to get worse and worse.
6) Do the things you normally enjoy, even if they're not enjoyable right now. Keep doing them and doing them until, ideally, your depression starts to lift and you realize that you're starting to enjoy them again.
As always, if you think you are in danger, please go to the nearest emergency room. They have to treat you, even if you can't afford to pay. If you need to talk, you can text the crisis line at 741-741 or call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 in the United States. If you experience new or worsening symptoms, reach out to your mental health professional. I am not a mental health professional. Nothing on my blog should take the place of advice from a qualified professional.
I am an Amazon affiliate. I get rewards when you click on or buy from the ads on my blog.
Around 16 million adults of all backgrounds will experience depression in their lifetimes- that's 7% of the world's population (NAMI). Depression is more than just feeling sad once in a while. It's a serious mental health condition that impacts the ability of those affected to do daily tasks, work, sustain relationships, and otherwise engage in their lives. Depression can cause sleeping too little, sleeping too much, eating too little, eating too much, agitated movement, thoughts of self harm or suicide, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, difficulty focusing, executive dysfunction, loss of energy, physical aches and pains, and other symptoms (NAMI).
I experience severe depression when I am not taking antidepressants, to the point of being unable to get out of bed and feeling nearly constantly suicidal and more mild depression when I'm on antidepressants.
There are a number of things you can try to help combat depression:
1) Therapy- Therapy takes time to work, and it's important to find a good therapist who actually listens to you, but therapy can help you work through past traumas, change harmful thought patterns, and find new ways to lessen the impact of your depression.
2) Medication- It can take a number of tries to find the right medication for you, but once you do, it can be life-changing. If you need psychiatric medication, getting on the right one can cause a drastic improvement in your symptoms (as it did for me).
3) Exercise- Exercise is not only a positive coping mechanism, but it releases feel-good endorphins, which can give your mood a temporary boost (Mayo Clinic).
4) Chocolate- My old counselor said that eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate, causes your brain to release seratonin, which temporarily boosts your mood, as well.
5) Be clean- Bathing can be especially hard with depression, but if you can't bathe, you may feel worlds better if you can spray some dry shampoo in your hair and wipe down with baby wipes. Wash your hands. Swish some mouthwash. Whatever you're able to do to be clean will likely make you feel better.
5) Don't self-isolate- Call, instant message, or go see friends. If you can't do that, in the US, text the crisis line at 741-741 or call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255, if you need to. Don't let yourself be completely isolated if it causes your depression to get worse and worse.
6) Do the things you normally enjoy, even if they're not enjoyable right now. Keep doing them and doing them until, ideally, your depression starts to lift and you realize that you're starting to enjoy them again.
As always, if you think you are in danger, please go to the nearest emergency room. They have to treat you, even if you can't afford to pay. If you need to talk, you can text the crisis line at 741-741 or call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 in the United States. If you experience new or worsening symptoms, reach out to your mental health professional. I am not a mental health professional. Nothing on my blog should take the place of advice from a qualified professional.
I am an Amazon affiliate. I get rewards when you click on or buy from the ads on my blog.
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