Feelings Of Hopelessness Or Pessimism
When figuring out how to deal with a depressed spouse, observe that they may not be able to see any good in the future with depression.
They might think that nothing will ever get better, that they cant do anything right, or that they have failed at everything. If this is the case, they may be depressed. This is because depression often causes people to lose motivation and hope for the future.
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Dont Try To Cheer Them Up All The Time
This is one of the worst things you can do because it invalidates their feelings and makes them feel like theyre not allowed to be sad or down in the first place! Its important to let your loved ones know that its okay to feel however theyre feeling, without any pressure from you to change how theyre feeling.
Breathe Deeply And Relax The Muscles
Deep breathing techniques are an effective way to calm anxiety and soothe the bodys stress response. Slowly inhaling and exhaling has physical and psychological benefits, especially when done on a daily basis.
Anyone can practice deep breathing, whether in the car, at work, or in the grocery store. Plenty of smartphone apps offer guided deep breathing activities, and many are free to download.
Progressive muscle relaxation is another helpful tool for those experiencing depression and anxiety. It involves tensing and relaxing the muscles in the body to reduce stress. Again, many smartphone apps offer guided progressive muscle relaxation exercises.
We have reviewed some meditation apps that can help with depression and anxiety.
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How Does Depression Affect Productivity
Depression and workplace productivity can significantly counteract each other. This is a common challenge for many people suffering from depression. Employers suffer, too: The estimated cost, due to loss of productivity related to depression and its effects, is in the billions of dollars.3
Why is it hard to keep up workplace performance when youre depressed? The symptoms of depression can be debilitating. Depression can affect productivity in these ways:4
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of initiative or motivation
- Low energy, fatigue
- Poor communication with others
Depression at work is a challenge for many. Self-care and daily changes in your routine may help, but its important you talk to your doctor, a therapist, or behavioral provider for long-term management of depression. Without treatment, depression can worsen.
What Should I Do If Others React Negatively
Some people dont understand that depression is an illness so you might face some prejudice or stigma.
You could tell them about websites like Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute so they can read up for themselves. You might also decide that it is just easier for you if you dont talk to them about it again.
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Is Sadness Similar To Depression
Depression is nothing like sadness. Sadness is a reaction to loss or disappointment that may come and go as you adjust to your circumstances. Its different from depression because it doesnt last long enough or interfere with your daily life. You may feel sad when someone close to you dies or moves away, but after a few weeks or months, youll likely return to your normal self again without any help from medications or therapy.
Sadness is an emotion that can be explained if someone asks you about it, but when it comes to depression, it is so hard to elaborate on, and even if you try, the right words just cant come out. Depression is a serious illness that can have far-reaching consequences.
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Tomorrow Is My Birthday And No One To Celebrate Me Im Stuck Home With Bronchitis And Scared Its Covid W No Way To Get Test Bc I Have To Be In A Car
No fever just wheeze and congested chest but I have asthma and vocal cord dysfunction due to one of my exes and its hard being alone with no way to be tested for covid bc Im disabled and dont drive the cab driver would not wait in cvs covid line and was a jerk charging me for every min we were waiting in a meter and wouldnt turn it off and I had barely any money with me so I had to get out of cab and go into cvs and be without a test hard and scary. There was an outbreak of covid at the hospital er where I was last week scared I got it.check on me please and offer support?? #CheckInWithMe#PTSD#ChronicIllness#CPTSD#CPTSDinrelationships#Anxiety#lonely#Bipolar2Disorder#BorderlinePersonalityDisorder#BorderlineStigma#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis#cfsmeawareness#BipolarDepression#BipolarDisorder#Art#Photography#Bipolar1Disorder#Exercise#COVID19#HowToDealWithDepression#Fibromyaliga#GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder
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Track Triggers And Symptoms
Keeping track of moods and symptoms might help a person understand what triggers a depressive episode. Spotting the signs of depression early on may help them avoid a full-blown depressive episode.
Use a diary to log important events, changes to daily routines, and moods. Rate moods on a scale of 1 to 10 to help identify which events or activities cause specific responses. See a doctor if symptoms persist for 14 days or more.
Signs That Someone May Have Depression
Depression has lots of possible symptoms.
You may notice that someone:
- has lost interest in doing things they normally enjoy
- seems to be feeling down or hopeless
- has slower speech and movements or is more fidgety and restless than usual
- feels tired or does not have much energy
- is overeating or has lost their appetite
- is sleeping more than usual or is not able to sleep
- has trouble concentrating on everyday things
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Educate Yourself On Depression
Depression is a serious issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.
To better understand your partners struggles and learn how to support a partner with depression, educate yourself on what this condition is, how it affects people, and what treatmentsare available.
Its also helpful to understand the different types of depression and how these can affect your partner. This is important because you can better understand their symptoms and help them get the treatment they need.
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Why Do People Feel Depressed
Lots of things can lead to someone getting depressed. And sometimes you might not know the cause.
Someone might feel depressed after going through bullying, abuse or the death of someone close to them. There could be lots of different things, or someone might get depressed that way after being stressed for a long time.
Theres no right or wrong reason to feel depressed, and its always okay to get support if you do.
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Continue Supporting Them And Respond To Emergencies
On a bad day, your friend might not want to leave their room. If they say something like Im going to cancel my appointment today, encourage them to follow through with the appointment.
Whether or not your friend has decided to get professional help, its important that they know they can get support from you, or other friends and family.
If you think your friend may be in danger or at risk of hurting themselves or someone else, seek help from a trusted adult or emergency mental health service immediately. Call 000 to reach emergency services and also tell someone you trust.
In more serious cases, its important to let an older/more responsible adult know whats going on. You dont have to be perfect all the time and making mistakes are inevitable and a good thing as we can learn from them. Anzelmo
Support Them In Continuing Therapy
On a bad day, your friend might not feel like leaving the house. Depression can zap energy and increase the desire to self-isolate.
If they say something like, I think Im going to cancel my therapy appointment, encourage them to stick with it.
You might say, Last week you said your session was really productive and you felt a lot better afterward. What if todays session helps, too?
The same goes for medication. If your friend wants to stop taking medication because of unpleasant side effects, be supportive, but encourage them to talk with their psychiatrist about switching to a different antidepressant or stopping their medication entirely.
Abruptly stopping antidepressants without the supervision of a healthcare professional may have serious consequences. Typically, reaching out to a healthcare professional before stopping medication use can prevent health complications.
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Think Together About Whether Theres Anything In Particular Thats Making Them Feel This Way
This could include a problem with a friendship or family relationship, feeling bullied or left out at school, feeling overwhelmed by school work, struggling with a change such as divorce or separation in the family, or a combination of things.
Are there changes that could be made at home or school that would make things easier?
Tip : Manage Stress And Anxiety
For many teens, stress and anxiety can go hand-in-hand with depression. Unrelenting stress, doubts, or fears can sap your emotional energy, affect your physical health, send your anxiety levels soaring, and trigger or exacerbate depression.
If youre suffering from an anxiety disorder, it can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Perhaps you endure intense anxiety attacks that strike without warning, get panicky at the thought of speaking in class, experience uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts, or live in a constant state of worry. Since anxiety makes depression worse , its important to get help for both conditions.
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Tips For Managing Stress
Managing the stress in your life starts with identifying the sources of that stress:
Take Their Feelings Seriously
If someone is living with a mental health concern, it isnt possible for them just to snap out of it, cheer up or forget about it. Acknowledge that what’s happening must be difficult to handle don’t tell them that their feelings are weird or unfounded.
Try not to approach your friend like theyre a patient or someone who needs to be fixed…this might make them feel embarrassed and belittled, and can make them close themselves off to you. Anzelmo
If youre not sure how to help someone with depression or anxiety, ask them. You could also offer them some options and let them choose what suits them best. For example, you could offer to listen and let them express their thoughts, or just to hang out, without serious conversation.
Try to be caring, compassionate and curious, and let them know that they matter to you and you are taking them seriously.
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Does Anyone Have Any Good Resources On What To Do With Negative/depressive Thoughts
Im having trouble because a close friend is suggesting that the solution is to filter myself, and that by speaking about the negative feelings I am having, Im speaking them into existence, reciting negativity like a mantra. This makes me feel guilty for having negative feelings at all, which seems counterproductive. I also feel like its putting on a mask, burying the hard stuff, and just ultimately is less healthy for me. Does anyone have any helpful thoughts/quotes/articles to share on the subject? I would really appreciate any input! #Depression#NegativeThoughts#copingskills#HowToFightDepression#HowToDealWithDepression
When To Get Help For Depression
If youve tried all of the above and your depression symptoms are persisting or getting more severe, then it might be right to consider seeking professional help. Depression is a treatable condition, and seeking specialist support is not a sign of weakness. These self-help tips will likely play some part in your recovery and help you to prevent symptoms returning once your treatment is complete.
Priory offers outpatient, inpatient and day care treatment for depression, as well as online therapy via Priory Connect. We will work closely with you to decide on the right direction for your recovery. Use the details below to get in touch with a mental health professional today and being your journey to beating depression.
For details of how Priory can provide you with assistance regarding mental health and wellbeing, please call 0800 840 3219 or make an enquiry. For professionals looking to make a referral, please click here.
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Stay Connected To The Outside World
Socially, you might also be tempted to shut yourself away, saying no when friends or family ask if you want to meet up with them. This is reaction is completely normal, but being present at social events, and spending time with other people, will help to reduce your symptoms of depression and help keep them at bay in the future.
Social media and video calls are a convenient way to do this, but if youre able to then a face-to-face meeting will have the most positive effect. You could try taking small steps with the goal of a meeting in a public location being the end goal. Whatever you try, make sure you only commit to what feels comfortable for you.
What Other Readers Are Saying
Thank you so much for your advice and expertise. I am in the midst of going off antidepressant and anti-anxiety meds as I felt I was getting worse, not better. Your website is the beginning of doing something good for myself . . . ~ Indiana
I suffered with major clinical depression, and unfortunately had limited support from friends and family, but this website really helped me understand the illness . . . It gave me coping tips, and has been paramount in my fight against it . . . and it has allowed me to help and understand some of my friends who suffer with mental health issues. ~ United Kingdom
I was going through the state of depression for some months. I am really thankful for the refreshing thoughts and tips suggested. After reading these, I’m relieved a great deal, realizing I’m not the only one facing these negative thoughts. ~ India
Thank you for providing these materials. I’m on antidepressants and don’t want to increase them. I feel a huge relief that there’s something I can do for myself. ~ California
Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Robert Segal, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: August 2015.
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How To Talk To Someone About Depression
Sometimes it is hard to know what to say when speaking to someone about depression. You might fear that if you bring up your worries the person will get angry, feel insulted, or ignore your concerns. You may be unsure what questions to ask or how to be supportive.
If you dont know where to start, the following suggestions may help. But remember that being a compassionate listener is much more important than giving advice. You dont have to try to fix your friend or family member you just have to be a good listener. Often, the simple act of talking face to face can be an enormous help to someone suffering from depression. Encourage the depressed person to talk about their feelings, and be willing to listen without judgment.
Dont expect a single conversation to be the end of it. Depressed people tend to withdraw from others and isolate themselves. You may need to express your concern and willingness to listen over and over again. Be gentle, yet persistent.
What Is Teen Depression
The teenage years can be really tough and its perfectly normal to feel sad or irritable every now and then. But if these feelings dont go away or become so intense that you feel overwhelmingly hopeless and helpless, you may be suffering from depression.
Teen depression is much more than feeling temporarily sad or down in the dumps. Its a serious and debilitating mood disorder that can change the way you think, feel, and function in your daily life, causing problems at home, school, and in your social life. When youre depressed, you may feel hopeless and isolated and it can seem like no one understands. But depression is far more common in teens than you may think. The increased academic pressures, social challenges, and hormonal changes of the teenage years mean that about one in five of us suffer with depression in our teens. Youre not alone and your depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw.
Even though it can feel like the black cloud of depression will never lift, there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself deal with symptoms, regain your balance and feel more positive, energetic, and hopeful again.
If you’re a parent or guardian worried about your child
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