You CAN Control Depression !

Depression still has a stigma tag attached to it and some are still too embarrassed to ask for help.

HOW CAN I COPE WITH DEPRESSION ON MY OWN?

Depression is a terrible “illness” or “condition” to live with. For those who suffer with it, life becomes ‘a living hell.’

Signs or symptoms of depression include:

# Thoughts of self-doubt

# Feelings of hopelessness

# Insomnia or oversleeping

# Loss of energy

# Feelings of self-loathing

# Problems concentrating

# Suicidal thoughts

It never seems to stop!

The problem is that even in this century, there is still stigma attached to mental illness. This often STOPS a person from asking for the HELP they so NEED and DESERVE.

Depression is defined as: “a person in a state of unhappiness or despondency.” The trouble is, for so many people this is a 24 hour ‘fight.’

THE NHS TIPS

The NHS have several ‘tips’ to help people to cope with this condition =

1) Stay in Touch --- do not withdraw from life. Being with people can and does improve your mood as you will have someone right there, in front of you, to talk to and who want to listen to you and help you.

2) Don’t avoid the difficult things in your life --- you can find it difficult to ‘face’ people and can lose your confidence. Be Strong and got for that coffee, you will feel that sense of achievement.

3) Move About --- there is evidence to support that exercise can help to ‘lift’ you.

4) Try to Eat Healthy --- this is a real problem! You can either lose your appetite or become underweight or ‘comfort’ eat and become over weight. If you are on antidepressants, these will affect your food intake. If you feel you need help = PLEASE Talk to Someone! (A friend / your GP).

5) Have a Routine --- try to stick to doing certain things at certain times. For example, go to bed at the same time every night. Get up and have breakfast at a certain time, etc. This will help to Balance the Mind.

These are just 5 tips but there are many more. Just google “Tips for Depression from the NHS” and you’ll find a ‘wealth’ of information ready to help you.

You must try to remember (and it’s not easy) that people genuinely want to help you, they want to see you smile and live a happy life.

I CAN HELP MYSELF

When we help ourselves, we become Stronger people within ourselves and our minds. We’ve looked at some ‘tips’ from the NHS: ”but what else can I do to help myself?”

Continuing to take any medication, given to you by a professional, is essential! The tablets are there for a reason, and if it helps to balance the mind, it is a necessity. Even as a therapy session is, talking really does help. You can also write down thoughts and feelings in your own special personal journal. It’s like ‘getting all of the poison out of your mind’ and if you can draw, you have an added bonus.

You Are Special! So why not have your very own Special Journal?!

There are many ‘Self-Help’ books and ways which are available and ALL of them help.

YOU’VE GOT MORE CONTROL THAN YOU REALIZE

The things that help the most (with regards to depression) are the most difficult to do. Physically and mentally you feel very tired and weak, but your ‘Life’ is like a muscle, the more you get involved and use it, the Stronger your ‘Life (or muscle) will become. And You Can Do It!

It is Your mind / it is Your body / it is Your life and ALL of it is under Your Control.

Start small and build up as time goes on. Like the young baby starting to walk --- little steps at first and then --- the child is soon running.

You just don’t realize how Strong you really are ! ! !