Coping with Depression

At some point in our lives, we may experience depression, which is described as a feeling of unhappiness, disappointment, loneliness, or having negative thoughts towards themselves or to other people. However, if the down feelings become overwhelming and continue to persist, which can greatly affect your health and your daily routine, immediate care and attention should be given to you.

Actually, the level of depression that every individual is experiencing may range from mild, moderate to severe, depending on the symptoms related with each condition and the degree the condition interferes with day-to-day activities. Coping with depression is also, like the level of depression, differs from one person to another. Other people may find the condition very enabling and that they can’t seem to overcome it, while others managed to go through successful treatment.

It is very hard to comprehend how intense the “down” feelings of depression sufferer. But, we may be able to understand, the least, if we know what are the possible causes and the symptoms of their depression. Coping with depression may not be as easy as we thought, but we can offer assistance to depressive person by letting them feel we always have ears to listen to their concerns.

Below are some of the possible causes of depression:

•  Loss of something or someone important
• Loss of control over your own life or the things around you. Most likely, the person who feels this, somehow sense that nothing can be done to alter the unpleasant events in life and coping with depression an impossible task.
• Illogical expectations
• Disappointment. I should say this one is a great contributor why a person feels depressed in the first place, it always is.
•  Negative thinking that will lead to self-defeat

Here are some of the common symptoms of depression mostly complained by depression sufferers:

Emotional

A person with depression may always feel an overwhelming sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, hopelessness, mood swings, and helplessness.

Physical

A person having depression may often sleep too much or too little, loss of appetite or overeating, constipation, irregular monthly period (for women), loss interest in sex, and weight loss or gain.

Behavioral symptoms

Since a depressive person deals with “down” feelings, crying without reason at all can occur. Also, withdrawal from other people or the world in general, irritability, loss of interest on activities once loved and loss of interest in physical appearance, no set goals, and resort to abuse in drugs and alcohol are just some of the things you’ll notice with depressive individual.

Other symptoms involving thoughts

Because those with depressive condition feel hopeless all the time, they blame themselves for the unpleasant events in life or they just have negative thoughts about the future.

How to Cope

From the symptoms and possible causes of depressive condition discussed above, coping with depression becomes very challenging… yet rewarding for a mission.

Reach out and stay connected. Try not to isolate yourself. Keep in touch with friends and family.

Find activities that make you feel good, mentally and physically. Exercise or even a hobby that you enjoy.

Support your health, ensuring you are getting the proper nutrition and proper amount of sleep

Spend time in nature, walking, hiking etc. Getting out in the air and enjoying the sun can make all the difference.

Listen to music that motivates you and makes you feel good.

Challenge negative thinking, When you begin thinking negative thoughts, over power it with positive thinking.

Coping with depression requires you to be aware of the source of the condition and keep a positive outlook in life. It also helps a lot to focus on things that bring joy in the heart in order to take bad thoughts off the mind, keep track of positive accomplishments, and try to be socially active.