Depression has been called a “Catch 22” because the steps that a depressed person must take to recover are made difficult by the very symptoms of depression, which include loss of energy and feelings of hopelessness.

However, while recovery from depression is certainly difficult, it is by no means impossible - and it is essential for the depressed person to remember this distinction.

According to an article from Psychology Today, recovery from depression, “involves a series of hard choices over a long period of time - five months, on average.” To recover from depression, these choices must include:

• choosing to get out of bed
• choosing to eat breakfast
• choosing to shift attention from negative thoughts to at least neutral ones
• choosing to stop ruminating
• choosing to be with people who make you feel cared for and supported

Clearly, if you are feeling so depressed that you cannot function or if you are feeling suicidal, you need to get professional assistance as soon as possible. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), most people with depression do not seek treatment, although the great majority - including those with severe depression - can be helped.

Depression can make you feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. According to NIMH, “Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize the actual circumstances. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect.” In the meantime, there are many things you can do to help yourself avoid or reduce the occurrence of depression.

Try several of the following tips and see which work best for you. Some may work better than others at different times, so be sure to try a variety of approaches. Use the tips as starting points. Then let yourself be creative in developing other ideas.

While trying the many activities suggested below, allow yourself to be guided and comforted by the following general reminders from NIMH in regard to depression recovery:

• Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.
• Set priorities and do what you can when you can.
• Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.
• People rarely “snap out of” a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.
• Positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.
• Let others help you.

continue to: Activities You Can Do Alone to Avoid or Reduce Depression

top . pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 . send to friend . depression site map

Reviewed: 03/2006