Assess The Parts Instead Of Generalizing The Whole
Depression can tinge recollections with difficult emotions. You may find yourself focusing on things that are unhelpful or perceived as difficult.
Try to stop this overgeneralization. Push yourself to recognize the good. If it helps, write down what was meaningful about the event or day. You can track what you achieved that day, and which activities were enjoyable.
Seeing the weight youre giving to one thing may help you direct your thoughts away from the whole and to the individual pieces that were helpful.
Bills May Not Be Ready To Play Patriots: Insider
In an appearance on the Zolak & Bertrand show on Tuesday, Reiss said he could see the Bills needing more time before getting back to the field following Mondays traumatic injury. Broadcast of the game showed a number of Bills players distraught in the moments following Hamlins injury, with many openly crying on the field.
.@MikeReiss tells us he wouldn’t be shocked” if the Patriots don’t play the Bills on Sunday
While Reiss stressed that he had no information from the team suggesting that they may not play the game, he believed it was still an option.
I think its in question, Reiss said. And to me and again, I have no information. But to me, its in question until you get more information. We want the answer now, obviously, and I think the answer we want is that hes going to come out of this and be okay. But if we dont have any information along those lines, I think anythings in play.
When asked if he would not be shocked if the game were not played, Reiss reiterated that it could be an option.
Would not be shocked, Reiss replied.
Seeking Help For Depression
Get help if you’re still feeling down or depressed after a couple of weeks.
Treatments for depression include psychological therapies and antidepressants.
You can refer yourself for psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling on the NHS. You don’t need a referral from your GP.
You can talk it through with your GP first if you prefer. Your GP can also tell you about antidepressants.
If you start to feel that your life isn’t worth living or about harming yourself, get help straight away.
You can:
- contact Samaritans on 116 123 for 24-hour confidential, non-judgemental emotional support
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Common Causes Of Depression
Scientists do not yet know the exact cause of depression. However, many experts think that several factors play a role in its onset, including:
- Genetics: Depression can run in families. Having a close relative with the condition can raise a persons risk of developing it themselves.
- Biological and chemical differences: Physical changes or chemical imbalances in the brain may contribute to the development of depression.
- Hormones: Hormonal changes or imbalances in the body may cause or trigger depression. For example, many people experience postpartum depression after giving birth.
- Trauma or stress: Periods of high stress, traumatic events, or major life changes can trigger an episode of depression in some people.
- Personality traits: Having low self-esteem or being pessimistic, for example, may increase the risk of depression.
- Other illnesses: Having another mental or physical health condition or taking certain medications can increase the risk of depression.
People who believe that they may have hidden depression should contact a doctor or mental health professional. These professionals can help make a diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment.
Other steps to manage depression might include:
What If I Need More Help
Sometimes talking to a parent is all you need to start feeling better. Sometimes you need more help. That’s OK, too.
If you are having a sad or bad mood that lasts more than a week or two, let your parent know. Ask them to set up a health visit to check for depression. Your doctor can ask you a few questions or have you fill out a questionnaire that has questions about depression.
Sometimes it might be helpful to talk with a therapist, especially if you have had these feelings for a long time. Your parent can set this up for you. The information you share with your therapist will be kept between the two of you, unless your therapist is worried about your safety.
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What Happens In Therapy
In therapy, people meet with a therapist to talk and learn ways to work out their problems.
At the beginning, the therapist asks questions about your problems. They also ask about other things in your life, such as family, school, and health. They listen to what it’s like for you so they can understand you. They talk with you and with your parent sometimes together, sometimes separately. They explain how they can help you. Together you decide on goals for your therapy.
You have more visits with your therapist to work on your goals. In therapy visits, you might:
Coping With Depression Tip : Reach Out And Stay Connected
Getting support plays an essential role in overcoming depression. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression. At the same time, the very nature of depression makes it difficult to reach out for help. When you’re depressed, the tendency is to withdraw and isolate so that connecting to even close family members and friends can be tough.
You may feel too exhausted to talk, ashamed at your situation, or guilty for neglecting certain relationships. But this is just the depression talking. Staying connected to other people and taking part in social activities will make a world of difference in your mood and outlook. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness and it won’t mean you’re a burden to others. Your loved ones care about you and want to help. And if you don’t feel that you have anyone to turn to, it’s never too late to build new friendships and improve your support network.
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Scientific Study Shows That One Moderate Dose Of Psilocybin Helps With Depression For Two Weeks Or More
A new double-blind scientific study shows that a single moderate dose of psilocybinthe psychedelic compound found in magic mushroomsreduced people’s depression for at least two weeks.
According to the University of Zurich researchers, “participants were instructed to immerse themselves in the experience with an introspective focus. A standardised playlist with music was played via headphones or speakers. One trained therapist was present in the room throughout the administration day to respond to the participants’ needs. All visits were conducted in a living-room like environment.”
From PsyPost:
How Loss At The Time Of Menopause Can Masquerade As Depression
Posted November 4, 2015
I have been talking with people lately who are suffering from symptoms they call depression, yet I am hearing something else. Something they dont want to talk about mostly: loss and grief, discouragement and disappointment. These are all different from each other and different from depression. But I am struck by how describing themselves as having depression, makes it much harder to respond to the issue each of these people has brought to my attention. These are problems, each personally and uniquely experienced, yet common among many people. Menopause, not getting a job or job promotion, financial stress, and living without a romantic partner. I find these are common life experiences with great emotional costs are mistaken for depression, and may not get the attention and resolution they need. In this and the next 3 blogs, I will discuss 4 situations and how reactions to them may be mistaken for depression and why that matters.
Cheryl described herself as lethargic and feeling blue: I am just down in the dumps. This depression is making it hard to enjoy work or even enjoy that my adult son is finally moving into his own apartment.
I suspect women themselves do not always know that part of this transition is mourning for the loss of the woman she was. I hear statements like these:
I am so depressed: no one will ever look at me with desire again.
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How Do I Find Help
Most older adults see an improvement in their symptoms when treated with antidepression drugs, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. If you are concerned about a loved one being depressed, offer to go with him or her to see a health care provider to be diagnosed and treated.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.
- Visit a nearby emergency department or your health care providers office
Causes Of Lost Appetite
When someone has depression, it may be that they occasionally skip or do not finish their meals. They may go for days without eating or drinking enough. This can impact on their energy levels and cause weight loss and health problems, making their depression even worse.
There are a number of reasons why depression can cause a loss of appetite, including:
- A person with depression will often lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed. Sometimes, this means that the pleasure they used to gain from preparing or eating food disappears
- People tend to feel low in energy when they are depressed this can mean that having to cook or eat may feel like too much for them
- People with depression often experience anxiety which can result in gastrointestinal symptoms , which can cause a loss of appetite
- Depression can cause people to feel sad, worthless or hopeless. With so much going on in their mind, they can forget to eat
- With depression, it can feel as though you really dont like yourself. You may believe that your health doesnt matter or that you dont deserve to eat or to feel better
- Some antidepressants can reduce appetite or cause gastrointestinal discomfort, which means that people may eat less
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What If I Don’t Know What To Say
Don’t wait to talk just because you’re not sure what to say. You can keep it simple. You can start just by saying, “Got a minute? I need to talk.” Then say what’s on your mind. For example, “I’ve been feeling down a lot lately. I think I should talk to you about it.” The person you’re talking to might ask you to tell them more. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get started talking.
What Risks And Complications Can Depression Cause
Having depression can cause other problems. It can affect your mental health as well as your physical health, and it may affect other areas of your life too. For example, depression may cause:
- disturbed sleep,
- difficulties with work and your hobbies,
- difficulties keeping contact with friends and families, or
- suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harming.
Some people might also drink more alcohol to try and relieve depression. However, as we said in the previous section above, this can actually make depression worse.
If you have any of these problems, speak to your GP.
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Get Proactive Rather Than Reactive
Reactivity is when you act on impulses and over identify with your emotional state. Alternatively, you may be acting productive to cover the painful emotions and thoughts to detach, but that is not the same thing as being proactive. Being proactive means you process things better and decide to be positive despite the negative experience. Thats because of the mindset you choose.
Become solution oriented. Become gratitude driven. Become someone who focuses on the good.
Use what is happening for something greater than yourself, whether it be a project, a personal connection or a new path that you can find purpose in. You dont have to necessarily fix it overnight. But you can use it.
Create something that brings light into your darkness. Tell someone you love them. Do a small act of kindness. Figure out what your needs are and seek to meet them. Learn to listen to the silence and meditate rather than avoid it. Be present, be mindful in actions taken. When you are doing simple acts such as cleaning, take deep breaths and meditate. In any activity, you can become mindful. You can become awake.
How Can I Help A Loved One Who Is Depressed
If someone you know has depression, help them see a health care provider or mental health professional. You also can:
- Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
- Invite them out for walks, outings, and other activities.
- Help them stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take prescribed medications.
- Make sure they have transportation to therapy appointments.
- Remind them that, with time and treatment, the depression will lift.
Take comments about suicide seriously, and report them to your loved ones health care provider or therapist. If they are in immediate distress or thinking about hurting themselves, call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
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Practice These Coping Skills Every Day
I recommend doing many if not all of the following coping skills and techniques once a day when experiencing depression. Its important to know you probably wont be motivated to do any of them at first because depression frequently saps motivation. In other words, know that its normal to feel unmotivated until youre halfway done.
The patients I work with who frequently practice these coping skills get better.The seven techniques can be memorized with the acronym MY PEERS.
1. Meaning: Find small ways to be of service to others.
Find personal meaning by serving something larger than yourself. Remember service doesnt have to be big to count. Consider this, Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued it must ensue as the unintended side effect of ones personal dedication to a course greater than oneself. Viktor E. Frankl, Mans Search for Meaning
2. Your goals: Find workable goals that give you a sense of accomplishment.
Most people feel guilty when talking about goals because they set unreasonable or unworkable goals. A goal is workable if its:
If something goes wrong with your goal, adopt a what can I learn from this? attitude . Also, be careful when comparing your progress with others. We usually compare our biggest weakness with another persons biggest strength. This is unfair .
3. Pleasant Events: Schedule pleasant activities or events.
4. Engagement: Stay in the present.
5. Exercise: And, eat right too.
What Causes Depression
Although some peoples depression can be influenced by major life events, the truth is that depression can happen to anyone without cause or warning. In fact, depression is one of the most common mood disorders 8.7% of women and 5.3% of men experience depression every year. Research has suggested that factors such as genetics, biology, environment, and psychology can all play a role in depression.
Its important to note that depression exists on a scale from mild to severe, but even in mild cases it should be taken seriously. Depression is not simply a bad mood or something that someone can snap out of, but luckily it is very treatable.
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How Can I Find Help
If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your health care provider. This could be your primary care practitioner or a health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Visit the NIMH Find Help for Mental Illnesses webpage if you are unsure of where to start.
How Else Can Parents Help
Even when you see a therapist, parents can still help in lots of ways. Talk with your parents about what you want their help with. Here are some of the things they can do. You might think of other things that aren’t on this list. But this list can give you and your parent some ideas.
Parents can:
- help you practice skills you learn in therapy
- remind you that they love and believe in you
- let you know they see the good in you, and are proud of you
- keep expecting good things from you
- talk through problems with you
- ask you about good things that happen in your day
- help with homework or projects you’re having trouble with, or get you a tutor
- hold you to your responsibilities at home and at school
- help you get enough exercise, sleep, and healthy food
- help you limit the time you spend on screens and social media
- help you wake up in the morning at the right time, but do it in a friendly way
- do things with you that you both enjoy walk, play a sport or game, watch a movie, do a craft, or cook
These things may seem simple, but they add up. They start to change the way you think and feel. They can lift your mood, and help you think better about yourself. They can help you and your parent feel close. Everything you try and do to help yourself feel better counts. It’s worth the time you spend doing it.
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Tips For Living With Depression
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Everything feels more challenging when you’re dealing with depression. Going to work, socializing with friends, or even just getting out of bed can feel like a struggle.
But there are some things you can do to cope with your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here are eight tips for living with depression.
This video has been medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD.