10 things to remember when you are depressed

Help for Depression

What should one look out for or remember when you are depressed or having depression?

Here is a list of 10 things to remember when you are depressed taken from the website of On Being Bipolar.

1. When depressed I have found it useful to ask for help in a way that others can help, trying to explain what you are experiencing . It is great to vent but what can the person listening do for you . I have found asking for something positive , and something they can actually do like pay your bills help clean up the mess that was created while you were unable to function will help some of the negative thoughts you are feeling about the world around you.
2. Talk about your feelings, let others know what your needs may be .Keep communications open !.
3. Force yourself to accomplish one thing per day no matter how small .
4. Take medications, get help in doing this if be needed.
5. Do not isolate yourself from others or sleep all the time.
6. Write down your feelings if just one sentence.
7. Get some form of recreation outside of the house , take a walk at the mall. (this is something others can be asked to help with)
8. Eat if only a nutritious snack.
9. Shower and keep your appearance up.
10. Try to rationalize your thoughts as depression and not being the absolute truth but a chemical state of imbalance .When you have a period of lifting reflect back on what's been going on and take care of neglected things (another chance for others to help you).

Courtesy of Larry Foster © 2000



Words that will help you to find this website: About depression (or clinical depression) not normal sadness down feeling blue down in the dumps lasting sad anxious empty mood hopelessness pessimism guilt worthlessness helplessness loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed decreased energy a feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down" difficulty concentrating forgetfulness making decisions restlessness irritability sleeping too much can't sleep insomnia change in appetite unintended weight loss weight gain chronic pain death suicidal suicide attempts severe depressive low is a serious medical illness for weeks at a time major depressive disorder major depression disabling prevents a person from functioning normally recurs types of depression dysthymic disorder dysthymia long–term (two years or longer) less severe may not disable a person prevent functioning normally or feeling well psychotic depression accompanied by some form of psychosis a break with reality hallucinations and delusions postpartum depression a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery after giving birth seasonal affective disorder (SAD winter months less natural sunlight light therapy antidepressant medication psychotherapy