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Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 612 Location: Florida
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Thread Started on Jun 9, 2006, 1:27pm »
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED
Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the actual circumstances. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime:
Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.
Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.
Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.
Participate in activities that may make you feel better.
Mild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help.
Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.
It is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition change jobs, get married or divorced discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.
People rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.
Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.
Let your family and friends help you.
How Family and Friends Can Help the Depressed Person
The most important thing anyone can do for the depressed person is to help him or her get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This may involve encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to abate (several weeks), or to seek different treatment if no improvement occurs. On occasion, it may require making an appointment and accompanying the depressed person to the doctor. It may also mean monitoring whether the depressed person is taking medication. The depressed person should be encouraged to obey the doctor's orders about the use of alcoholic products while on medication. The second most important thing is to offer emotional support. This involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement. Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully. Do not disparage feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Report them to the depressed person's therapist. Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, to the movies, and other activities. Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused. Encourage participation in some activities that once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, religious or cultural activities, but do not push the depressed person to undertake too much too soon. The depressed person needs diversion and company, but too many demands can increase feelings of failure.
Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her "to snap out of it." Eventually, with treatment, most people do get better. Keep that in mind, and keep reassuring the depressed person that, with time and help, he or she will feel better.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If unsure where to go for help, check the Yellow Pages under "mental health," "health," "social services," "suicide prevention," "crisis intervention services," "hotlines," "hospitals," or "physicians" for phone numbers and addresses. In times of crisis, the emergency room doctor at a hospital may be able to provide temporary help for an emotional problem, and will be able to tell you where and how to get further help.
Listed below are the types of people and places that will make a referral to, or provide, diagnostic and treatment services.
* Family doctors * Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors * Health maintenance organizations * Community mental health centers * Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics * University- or medical school-affiliated programs * State hospital outpatient clinics * Family service, social agencies, or clergy * Private clinics and facilities * Employee assistance programs * Local medical and/or psychiatric societies
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #2 on Feb 9, 2007, 2:30am »
well i suffer from severe depression, i have had it for more than a year now, and i have not told anyone yet, i dont know if i should, and i have already seen alot of therapists about other things but they have all said i was fine, i need a way to beat it, but like not telling anyone, doing it on my own, can anyone suggest anything?
Strawberry Administrator Staff Administrator member is offline
Let the devil have the past but I have the future.
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Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #3 on Feb 9, 2007, 1:22pm »
Hi sadguy , Depression is hard enough with help let alone trying to cope on your own with it . There isnt any way to beat it but there are plenty of ways to help yourself understand it and come to terms with it . Why dont you want any family or friends to know ? sometimes they can be a big help when the dark days are here. Maybe start with a visit to your GP ,they are used to things like this and can advise and medicate if needed. At least you have made the first step and come to a depression board . Read some other members post and see how they deal with their depression and of course you can post as much as you want to.
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #4 on Mar 26, 2007, 6:16am »
What if you're afraid to admit it? I'm going to call a helpline tonight to talk to someone but admitting it to my mother the other day, that I've been on the verge of tears and afraid to cry b/c if I do I don't think I will be able to stop.
I thank *religious person* every day that I have my family to spend time with and I have my dog to come home to b/c no WAY would I be able to come home to an empty apartment every day, but this really sucks too. I don't like feeling like this.
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #5 on Sept 25, 2007, 5:26pm »
I know exactly what you are going through, I am going through feelings of helplessness, crying all the time and angush as well, I sucks! But its great not to come home to an empty apartment, my husband is there for me but it did take me a long time to tell anyone as if I was to blame. I know that is not true but it takes time to admit that.
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #6 on Sept 30, 2007, 9:07am »
Hey... I find that information helpful and all... but it hasn't really worked for me. I don't have any friends what-so-ever, no one to support me. I don't get on well with my family and my parents keep denying my depression. I go to the gym 3 times a week, and I have a dance class once a week... yet it still doesn't "fulfill my needs"... I really want to go to the doctor about my depression, but I don't know where to go, how to start, what to say etc. etc. I've found that it's a lot different here in Germany than the UK.. no one likes to admit to their depression.. and in my 2 years of living here, already 3 acquaintances have committed suicide. Sometimes I feel that maybe that's my way out too, but I'm just too scared to do it, and I know my family wouldn't ever be able to forgive me for it. I'm sick of crying, I'm sick of being lonely, and I'm sick of having no one to talk to. Please could you help me find information as to where I can go to talk to some therapist or something? I understand if it's not possible...
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #7 on Jan 1, 2008, 11:01am »
Hi burningxangel, pls dont be so sad. I am going through the samething. No one want to talk about depression in my place. So, i found this place by googling "depression & takl too" Even though i havent chat with many ppl, but i do feel the warmth and understanding here take care!
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #10 on Sept 6, 2009, 7:43pm »
Really good info Josh, thank you. Just reading some of the hundreds of posts here has been really theraputic for me. I was so down and out I was a dead man walking till I found the Blue Room. I'm still having my demons but I know that I'm not so alone now. That counts a lot for me.
I heard on the radio the other day that depression rates are soaring since the global downturn too. So many people losing so much. Our forums here may get much bigger very soon... I have only one thought to share that has helped me recently "They can't take away your dignity if you don't let them!" I fight that inner battle daily. Good luck to you all in your own battles. I mean that.
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #11 on Sept 28, 2009, 5:52pm »
hi everyone, i am new. i came across this site in the net while looking for answers. i am suffering from depression so much i have not taken any medical treatment yet. do you guys think my decision not to is wise? do you have casesof depression being handled by the depressed person? thanks
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #12 on Oct 12, 2009, 3:05pm »
Ghost, as a self-reliant person who has always solved my issues on my own (exercise & lots of it, reading, etc) I am in a position now where I can appreciate how having other opinions is better. The problem I see is that, while depressed, your judgment is skewed.
Please don't make my mistake... and wait too long to seek help with it. However sound your judgment may be, it doesn't hurt to seek other advice.
Two steps forward and one step back but we will get there in the end .
Boy this resonated with me. It's ok to make a mistake, it's ok to digress a little, it's ok to have an issue.... but remember, tomorrow is another day and the end goal shouldn't change.
Don't beat yourself up. In my situation I did something to myself that I knew would hurt, and I've spent sometime now beating myself up over it. Not anymore. That was yesterday, and this is today.
Strawberry Administrator Staff Administrator member is offline
Let the devil have the past but I have the future.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 6,189 Location: UK
Re: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED « Reply #14 on Nov 2, 2009, 12:02am »
Thats true 'enoughalready' today is a new day and new problems. If we carry all our old problems on our shoulders forever then one day we cant move ,we get lost in the middle of it all. It is ok to be angry and hurt ,you are allowed to feel at a loss and pain but remember negative energy feeds and multiplys so you have to find ways to help yourself so you can smile again.
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