Feeling blue is a common human experience. However, when low moods persist, you might be suffering from anxiety, depression, or both. If you have been feeling sad, lonely, or miserable most of the time for more than two weeks, it’s time to seek professional help. Throughout this article, you will learn how to address this common mental disease.
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“I Am Depressed & I Don’t Know What To Do”
When you are depressed, you are depressed. This only means that you can’t just tell yourself to snap out of this condition that drains your energy and happiness.
Nevertheless, there are tips you can follow to put yourself on the road to recovery. Before reading on, repeat to yourself: “I am depressed, but I will be feeling better soon.” The first step is always the hardest, but only reaching out will help you recover.
Who to Contact When Feeling Depressed
Not many people are willing to admit they are suffering from depression. Many Americans who struggle with this mental disease see “I am depressed” as a dangerous confession, in case they are considered mentally unstable. However, you must ignore this misconception and understand that depression is an illness, not a sign of inferiority.
There is hope, and it’s waiting for you out there. Remember, though, that only those professionals who understand depression will be able to help you out. People who don’t might try to convince you that recovery is about yoga, running, or just being more positive. Although engaging in exercise or other activities can have a very positive effect on depressed individuals, their condition should always be monitored by a therapist or psychiatrist.
“I Am Depressed & Determined to Get Better”
You are not crazy, just sick. And therefore, you must go see a doctor or a psychologist, who will assess your feelings and moods and provide you with guidance and, in some cases, medication to treat depression and/or anxiety. Getting support plays a key role in overcoming mental illnesses.
The very nature of depression makes it difficult to seek help, so relying on someone else who is knowledgeable on it can be really helpful when it comes to defeating this disease. Depressed people tend to withdraw and self – isolate themselves, but reaching out is not a sign of weakness, but the opposite.
Together with professional help, staying connected with your loved ones is what you need to recover. Friends and family will be there for you, even if they have never experienced your symptoms. Just look for support from people who make you feel safe and secure. The ones who truly care about you will research on depression and find a way to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. A “Help me, I am depressed” will do.
I Am Depressed: What About Drugs & Alcohol?
Not everybody is capable of admitting: “OK, I am depressed.” In some cases, it can take weeks, months, years, or an entire life. On top of that, the symptoms of depression can drive many people towards substance abuse, such as alcohol and drugs, which, by no means will improve their condition. Remember: the only way to overcome depression is to reach out.
If you are feeling depressed, stay away from alcoholic drinks and drugs, as they change the balance of chemicals that help your brain perform. On top of that, these addictive substances can worsen the symptoms of depression and make a recovery much harder. However, it is possible to recover from alcoholism or drug addiction too. If you struggle with mental health together with substance abuse, all you need to do is to take the right steps.
According to reports released by the Journal of American Medical Association, around 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by alcoholism or drug addiction. Almost 40% of alcohol abusers and over 50% of drug abusers, says the study, have at least one serious mental illness. As you can see, substance abuse does, unfortunately, come first as a coping mechanism in many cases.
Do I Need Medication If I Am Depressed?
Medication is just a choice, and no doctor will force you to take them unless your condition is really severe. In general terms, your general practitioner or psychiatrist will recommend whatever he or she thinks will work best for you. Unlike many people think, antidepressants are not addictive and don’t necessarily have serious side effects like gaining weight.
Although there is little that we know yet about mental disorders, antidepressants can help you cope with depression and help you concentrate on simple tasks like working or studying. However, there is no magic pill that will work wonders. This only means that you will have to play your part if you want to recover.
What Else Can I Do If I Am Depressed?
Alternatively, or together with medication, you can visit a therapist and/or engage in physical activities, such as running, weight lifting, cycling, yoga, hiking, etc. Any type of exercise will be useful, as long as you enjoy it and you do enough of it.
What if I Am Too Depressed for Exercise?
That would be only depression speaking, and if you want to recover, you need to learn how to mute these thoughts. Although it might be difficult in the beginning, you need to force yourself into exercising. Only after an intense exercise session, the dark cloud will start to vanish. Sometimes, you will have to lie to yourself and make of the following your personal mantra: “I am depressed, but not enough for this.”
Regular exercise can boost your mood if you are struggling with depression. It’s an all-natural treatment to fight mental disorders since it releases the so-called endorphins, or in other words, the body’s feel-good-chemicals.
“I Am Depressed. For Now”
That is exactly what you need yourself over and over. Recovering from depression can take a while, but if you reach out, get professional help, stay away from abusive substances, and exercise regularly, you will get better sooner than expected. It’s OK not to be OK, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about, especially in the middle of a pandemic that has put the entire world’s mental health to the test.