Depression is one of the most dangerous afflictions in modern society. For a long time ignored by the medical community, we are just starting to learn the widespread nature of its effects. In America alone, more than sixteen million people are affected by depression each year. Still, there is a stigma against depression which is why so many people look to support before they visit their doctor. Depression is a condition with many heads that each needs to be confronted. In this article, we take a look at some of the changes in your life that could help drastically.
Taking care of yourself
When someone with depression hears that they need to eat better and exercise, it can seem like a cruel joke. We know that depression makes these things even more difficult to do. That’s why we stress the importance of putting as much effort into looking as your physical self as possible. Therapeutic treatments like massages and facials can be a great pre-workout practice. They can put your mind in a relaxed place that’s abler to take the initiative.
Seeking help
There is still a stigma against mental illness that can make people apprehensive about approaching medical help. However, the right doctor can make it all the easier. There are lots of treatments available from using Prozac to visiting Ketamine clinics that take a harder offensive. It may be difficult, but admitting your issue is the first step to tackling it. The right treatment can make what follows easier to do. Because doing it alone is next to impossible.
Your support network
As just stated, facing depression alone is a daunting task for anyone. It’s not a sign of weakness to need help. Nor is it an indication of your strength when chemical imbalances in your biology dictate your experiences. It’s important to use friends and family to support you as you would support them. Making friends is a great part of the healing process, too, though difficult. Online networks and support groups are daunting, but can change your life.
Regaining confidence
Depression strips away the self-belief that we have cultivated through the years and makes us believe we are worthless. Part of beating depression is regaining the knowledge that this is not true. That’s why giving yourself goals is a huge part of getting better. Start small, like giving yourself the goal of doing the washing up every two days. Then get bigger and bigger until you’ve rebuilt your self-confidence brick by brick and have the proof that you have worth and lots of it.
Identify, don’t hide
Depression is often caused by physical factors outside our control. But it can be fed by the issues, stresses and difficulties we have in daily life. We can be afraid to confront these because they expose truths that hurt us and make us see our weaknesses. But by using journals to admit them and compartmentalise them, we can view them through an objective lens. That can help us realise how hard we are on ourselves and make our problems easier to cope with.
