Overcoming Depression

Millions of people suffer through depression at least once in their lives. It’s a debilitating disease that can affect anyone. Everybody, no matter what age or what culture, is at risk for developing depression.

There is a social stigma that comes with being depressed. Depression is seen as something of a weakness. Whenever you tell someone, a family member, for example, that you are depressed and need to go to the doctor, some would just raise their brows in sheer ignorance and scathingly say “get over it!”

This advice, sensible as it may seem, is easier said than done. Depression isn’t something someone can just ‘get over’ as if it were a nightmare someone can just awake from. It is a disorder that can stem from abnormalities in neurotransmitter functions and possibly the endocrine system as well. So unless these people can reach into your body and put these things right, then I suggest they shut up and get their facts straight.

The thing is – depression isn’t something that can be fixed in a hurry or with a mere attitude change. Overcoming depression is not easy, but it is possible.

Acknowledge Your Depression

The first step to overcoming depression is overcoming denial. Do not listen to people who have a wrong view of depression, as is often the case. Society can garner a lot of misconceptions. Get your facts straight. Know what depression is and what its symptoms are and determine if you may actually have depression. If you think it is highly likely that you do have depression, then you should acknowledge the possibility then get some help. The sooner you can get yourself to a doctor and get diagnosed, the better.

Medications can really help with overcoming depression. You’ll feel a lot better once you start taking them. At the very least, they’ll make you feel better or well enough so you will be able to move on and start making positive changes in your life.

Recognize Patterns of Thinking

After you have accepted that you have depression, try to look at it from a different perspective. Depression stems from an abnormality in neurotransmitter function, true. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have an influence over the condition. Your mind is yours and you can control your thoughts.

If you have a psychiatrist, he will probably help you analyze your patterns of thinking that lead to an episode of depression. The next time you feel yourself becoming sad, try to think about why you’re feeling that way. Don’t just reason out that it’s because you’re depressed. Telling yourself that you’re depressed over and over again will just make matters worse. Pinpoint the patterns of thinking that got you feeling that way in the first place.

For example, if you’re feeling down in the dumps, ask yourself why you’re feeling that way. Is it because you had a bad day at the office? If it is, then ask yourself why you think it was a bad day. From here on, enumerate your reasons. If your reasons include ‘I was worthless again’ or ‘They’re better off without me’ or ‘My coworkers don’t like me’, stop and consider the logic of what you are saying. Patterns of thinking like this one can get a person bogged down. The next time you notice yourself thinking the same thoughts, say ‘stop’ and make a conscious effort to stop your train of thoughts.

Be Active

Aside from fighting a negative pattern of thoughts, fight inactivity as well. Inactivity can make a person feel bogged down and make him feel unenergetic. When you’re feeling lonely, leave your house and take a walk, see some scenery, breathe in some fresh air. If that doesn’t work, find something else that will keep you occupied. Start a new project, for example. This will also help boost your concentration. Even small activities like doing crossword puzzles can help, as long as they keep you from thinking about your problems.

Another great activity would be to help others out. Find an orphanage or a hospital and volunteer. Helping others would make you feel better about yourself and boost your self-esteem. Not only that, you’d also be making the world a much better place and touch the lives of many people.

You could also try to get more involved with your religion. Get to know your pastor and have him help you with your spirituality. Read your Bible and find a connection with God. Sometimes, this can really change the life of some people and make them much happier individuals.

When you find that you cannot sleep at night, get up and do something instead of lying around in bed thinking. Read a book or watch some television. You can also try drinking some warm milk. You’ll sleep when you get tired enough; ironically, it’s when you worry about not being able to sleep that you truly won’t be able to sleep.

Get Rid of Your Vices

Sometimes, the things that supposedly help us get through the day are actually the very things that make our lives miserable. Sometimes, we don’t know if we’re taking in a tonic or a poison.

Take alcohol, for example. Commonly, we think that alcohol is something that can make us happy. But in reality, alcohol destroys serotonin. Serotonin insufficiency is actually what antidepressants are trying to prevent. By taking in alcohol, you’ll be rendering antidepressants useless. Or worse, if you’re not taking antidepressants, you’re actually making yourself more miserable.

Also, try not to smoke as smoking reduces the oxygen supply to the brain and increases lethargy.

Some substances can seriously make matters worse for someone who is depressed. Listen to your doctor when he tells you about the substances that you should not take along with your antidepressants.

Be More Positive

Adopt a world view that isn’t too taxing. Smile more. Be more forgiving. Stop expecting the world to bow down at your feet because you’ll only get disappointed if it doesn’t. And trust me, it won’t. View the world more realistically. Remember that the world won’t adapt to you, it is you who will have to adapt to the world. Life will always have its ups and downs – you can’t change that. But those ups, they’re what makes life worth living even if you’re in one of those down swings. Never give up hope.