How To Deal With Depression



Before we learn on how to deal with depression let see what is depression itself.

So ‘’What is Depression?’’.



Depression is an illness that is evidenced by loss of interest in anything enjoyable, low motivation and too much sadness.



When you experienced feelings of sadness and the feeling of having lost all hope in response to unpleasant life event, it is kind of normal. Such events could include loss, major life changes, stress or disappointment in most cases.



The sad feelings resolve as you come to terms with the changes in your life. In situation such losing a close friend or relative, these feelings may persist for months and returns at significant times, such as wedding anniversaries and birthdays related to the lost ones, provided you have time when you enjoy things, however, this sadness is not a sign of depression.



Features of Depression

The features of depression are:



Psychological Symptoms

You will have thought that you would be better off dead or harming yourself some way.

Inefficient thinking with poor concentration, leading to difficulties sorting out problems or making decisions.



Also unpleasant thought, about being guilty, being a bad and a person that does not deserve anything.

Loss of interest in usual activities

Feeling unhappy or uncomfortable, these miseries can last for days but may persist in it’s intensity. These miseries can last for weeks.



Physical Symptoms

Interest in sex will no longer be there.

They will be loss of appetite with loss of weight.

Loss of energy even when not physically active

Slowed activity and speech

Loss of sleep despite feeling very tired, sleep is unsatisfying with early morning wakening.

Any of these features may serve as warning signs of depression you need to have at least five of these symptoms to be suffering depressive disorder.



What Causes Depression?

No one know exactly what causes depression. It is clear that genetic factor are very crucial in many cases of depression. Depression seems to run in families and about thirty percent of the cause of why people suffers depression is due to genetic factors or influences.



Stressful life events play a part in the onset or to go back into depression. Ongoing conflicts with others can take a toll on our well-being, as can other environmental and social stressors which are loss of something important or someone important, difficulties in getting or managing morning, unemployment, retirement, barrenness and loneliness. In most of the people, these unpleasant life events may be enough to cause or worsen a depressive illness.



A person’s personal characteristics are important factor, when people are depressed, they have a very bad view of the world and sometimes themselves. When good things happens, they don’t appreciate and bad things seems overwhelming. Some people have a tendency to view things this way even when they are not depressed. In other words they may have a depressive personality style.

Another possible cause of depression that should not be overlooked is drug taken or illness, glandular fever, influenza, hepatitis, child birth control pills, drug and alcohol abuse or some medications such as those for heart or blood pressure conditions, may all cause symptoms of depression.



How To Deal With Depression

They are ways to deal with depression, and often they are best used in conjunction with each other, the primary medical option are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) antidepressant medication, and in some severe cases Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) education and coping strategies are also important when learning to manage your depression.



Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an excellent treatment for depression alone or in conjunction with medication. CBT involves learning:

To combat the emotions that can lead to sadness and hopelessness

To control though that are negative that leads to loss of interest and feeling of worthlessness.

To also control the behaviour related to poor concentration and thoughts of death.

Techniques for problem solving are also taught whether the problem is a consequence or cause the depression. CBT is very effective and 80% of people with mild, severe or moderate depression improve.





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CBT will be recommended when:

The depression is mild, moderate or severe.

The person have had a prior positive response to CBT.

A competent, trained clinician who has expertise in CBT is available, or the person s prepared to use internet CBT.

There is a medical contradiction to taking medication

The depressed person prefers CBT OR ICBT.



Medication

For some people, antidepressant medication will be the first line of treatment for the elimination of a very critical depressed mild. It would be unadvisable to manage very severe depressor without a use of medication. For mild to moderate depression, antidepressant medications are not often recommended as a first line treatment.

Different antidepressant medications work in different ways. You may need to try more than one type to find the medication that works best for you make sure to keep in close contact with your prescribing physician during the early stages of taking medication as the side effects can often be difficult to deal with.

Some of the things to remember when taking antidepressant.

Take the medication daily.

Don’t stop the medication without contacting the health professional who prescribed it.

Side effects lessen as your body adjusts. If the side effects don’t diminish, or are unreasonable, contact your health professional.

Don’t stop the medication when you feel better or your depression may return



Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

ECT is an effective form of treatment for depression, especially if:

There are medical contradictions to medication.

There is a need for a rapid improvement because of suicidal intent or refusal to eat;

The person has experienced treatment failure following CBT, several medications, or combined medication and CBT treatment trials.

The person has had a previous positive response to ECT;

Somatic symptoms are prominent

Psychotic symptoms are present



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ECT involves the application of a brief electric current to carefully selected sites on the scalp. These electrics current which are administered by a psychiatrist and anaesthetist, produce a minor seizure in the brain. Prior to the procedure the person is given a short acting general anaesthetic and a muscle relaxant to reduce awareness of the procedure and to prevent a physical seizure.

Although many people are fearful of ECT, these technique is arguably the safest and most effective medical for severe depression although there can be some memory related side effects.

ECT is more rapids in its effects than antidepressants drugs, and CBT and antidepressants remain useful adjuncts to treatment since they can help relapse after ECT is completed.



Education

Education for people with depression is very important. Education provides a knowledge base that potentially gives the person greater control over his or her disorder, greater control in turn may lead to reduced feelings of helplessness and an increased sense of well-being, providing education for families or careers is also very important to help increase the support and assistance they provide for the person.

The essential pieces of information for a person with a major depressive episode that depression is a common disorder and that effective treatment are available. It is important to remember:

Depression is an illness, not a sign of weakness or a character defect.

Recovery is the rule not the exception.

Treatment is effective and they are many treatment options available. There is a suitable treatment for most people.

The rate of recurrence is quite high; half the people who have had one episode of depression will have a recurrence and the rate of increases with the number of previous episodes.

The person and his or her family members can be taught to recognize and act upon early warning sight of depression. By seeking early treatment, the severity of the episode may be greatly reduced.



Coping With The Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms of depression can be addressed to help you feel better. The followings are ways to deal with this symptoms



Behavioural Strategies

Set goals for daily activities; plan full days of useful activity by making the list of the activities you are going to engage in different times during the day. Try to stick to this plan as closely as possible.

What activity do you enjoy? Try to increase the amount of time you spend on those enjoyable activities.



Avoid comparing the way you behave or feel now while you are depressed with the way you used to behave or feel before becoming depressed.

Reward yourself for your efforts. Ask others around you to encourage and praise you for each small step that you take.

Recovering from depression is a bit of learning to walk again after breaking your leg.

When a task seems difficult, do not despair, break the task down into easier steps and start again more slowly.



How To Control:



Loss of appetite



Sleep Disturbance



Worrying or inefficient thinking



Loss of interest in sex



Miserable feelings, thoughts that are unpleasant



Loss of Appetite

Eat small portions of food that you particularly like. Take your time and do not feel under pressure to finish if you are eating with others. Drink plenty of water.



Sleep Disturbance

Get up at the same time every morning

Avoid sleeping during the day

Try to reduce tea and coffee intake if excessive (at least it should not be more than two or three cups per day and none after about 4:00pm).

Do not lie awake for more than about thirty minutes, get up and find a relaxing activity you should try relaxation exercises like yoga.



Worrying or Inefficient Thinking

Put your worries to useful purpose. Rather than pinpointing your problems, pick out one or three that seem really important and make decision to resolve them. You can ask a friend to help you

You should go through the steps below:

Evaluate the good and bad points of each idea in turn

Say exactly what the problem is.

List six or seven possible solutions to the problem. Write down any ideas that occur to you, not merely the good ideas.

Choose the solution that best fits your needs.

Plan exactly the steps you will take to put the solution into action.

Review your efforts after attempting to carry out the plan. Praise all efforts if unsuccessful, start again. With assistance, the right treatment, and a solid understanding of the disorder, you can overcome depression.



Loss of Interest in Sex

Seek nonsexual activities with your partner that you still enjoy, explain to your partner that your loss of interest is a symptom of your depression, not a rejection him or her and that those symptoms will be temporary.



Unpleasant Thoughts

These negatives thoughts and feelings tends to focus your attention on things you do not like about yourself or your life situation. These thoughts also tends to make your problem seems worse than they really are. As well as concentrating on your negative features and experiences, when you are depressed you tend underestimate your positive characteristics and your ability to solve problems. A number of strategies will help you achieve a more balance view of things. Make a list of your three best features, perhaps with a help of a relation or of a friend.



Carry the list with you and read it to yourself whenever you find yourself focusing on negative thoughts.



Keep a daily record of all the small pleasant things that happen and discuss these events with your friends when you see them.

CC Lalasticlala




Source: http://www.kendogist.com/2018/01/how-to-deal-with-depression.html