Depression can be so overwhelming that even the smallest task can seem daunting. For the outsider that has never experienced what depression feels like, it is hard to understand why someone with depression can't just
simply get over it. If it was that easy to do, it would be done. For most battling with this illness, and it is an illness no matter its cause, it is often a daily struggle to even function. Many people are helped by the myriad of strong medicines available for treatment, although sometimes it takes a lot of false starts and stops to find the one that will work for a particular person. Others find help in various kinds of group or individual therapies. Whatever works for you, grab it and run with it. The point is to feel better so you can function, contribute to and enjoy life again. Here are some simple ideas to help you cope.
1. BEGIN SMALL.
The standards you have lived by before the onset of depression or the expectations you have of yourself or others have of you, may not apply when you are in a depressive state. Allow yourself to begin small. For someone suffering from depression, what seems like nothing to others is a huge accomplishment for a depressed person. Be proud of each small accomplishment for what it is in and of itself. Don't look at the whole big picture. That can be too overwhelming and facing that may be too much for you to handle. Break a task down into parts and then say ,"Hey I did that, good for me." Allow yourself that self praise. For example if you have mounds of housework to do and you can't face it all, pick one thing to do. It might be going around the house picking up all the dirty laundry, or taking the garbage out or even just getting out of bed to take a shower. What ever it is acknowledge it to yourself as a good thing. Say "I did it!" As you get stronger or on better days you can expand those tasks. Don't downplay even the smallest accomplishment. When you are feeling like this, baby steps are big steps.
2. BLESSINGS OR HAPPINESS JOURNAL
1. BEGIN SMALL.
The standards you have lived by before the onset of depression or the expectations you have of yourself or others have of you, may not apply when you are in a depressive state. Allow yourself to begin small. For someone suffering from depression, what seems like nothing to others is a huge accomplishment for a depressed person. Be proud of each small accomplishment for what it is in and of itself. Don't look at the whole big picture. That can be too overwhelming and facing that may be too much for you to handle. Break a task down into parts and then say ,"Hey I did that, good for me." Allow yourself that self praise. For example if you have mounds of housework to do and you can't face it all, pick one thing to do. It might be going around the house picking up all the dirty laundry, or taking the garbage out or even just getting out of bed to take a shower. What ever it is acknowledge it to yourself as a good thing. Say "I did it!" As you get stronger or on better days you can expand those tasks. Don't downplay even the smallest accomplishment. When you are feeling like this, baby steps are big steps.
2. BLESSINGS OR HAPPINESS JOURNAL
Published by Laurie Meekis - Featured Parenting Contributor
I am very pleased to have earned the top 1,000 content producers badge three years in a row on Associated Content. Many of my articles and writings here are available for reprint. For those and other writin... View profile
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Depression can weaken the immune system.
Women experience depression more than men do.
Depression in children is about equal between boys and girls.
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