Thank You For Trusting Me To Support You
It takes courage to let someone know that you have depression, and to let them in during a vulnerable time.
Let your loved one with depression know that their vulnerability is brave. Thank them for being open about their situation with you.
This may help build mutual respect and may truly comfort them. If theyre in a situation where they temporarily need your help, balancing the scales with an expression of gratitude for being among their trust circle may help by acknowledging its a two-way street.
Have You Thought About
Often when our friends are asking us if weve tried something, its because they really care and want to help. Occasionally it might come across as patronising, or as if theyre telling us weve not tried hard enough but thats not normally the case. Our friends just might not be completely sure how to react, and you never know, they might suggest something we havent tried which could really help!
The Risk Of Suicide Is Real
What to do in a crisis situation
If you believe your loved one is at an immediate risk for suicide, do NOT leave them alone.
In the U.S., dial 911 or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
In other countries, call your countrys emergency services number or visit IASP to find a suicide prevention helpline.
It may be hard to believe that the person you know and love would ever consider something as drastic as suicide, but a depressed person may not see any other way out. Depression clouds judgment and distorts thinking, causing a normally rational person to believe that death is the only way to end the pain theyre feeling.
Since suicide is a very real danger when someone is depressed, its important to know the warning signs:
- Talking about suicide, dying, or harming oneself a preoccupation with death
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or self-hate
- Acting in dangerous or self-destructive ways
- Getting affairs in order and saying goodbye
- Seeking out pills, weapons, or other lethal objects
- A sudden sense of calm after depression
If you think a friend or family member might be considering suicide, dont wait, talk to them about your concerns. Many people feel uncomfortable bringing up the topic but it is one of the best things you can do for someone who is thinking about suicide. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a persons life, so speak up if youre concerned and seek professional help immediately!
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What Are The Types Of Therapy Used For Depression
There are many methods and approaches used by therapists used as an intervention for depression. W few would be interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, music therapy, dialectical-behavior therapy, art therapy and individual therapy. One may also be suggested to join a support group as part of the intervention.
What Is This All About
Everyone of one of us is working to better our mental health. No one is exempt. If you are a human on this earth, you are always working on bettering your mental health. This site is meant to be a place for everyone. We all can give something. We all can take something. Inside you will find blogs, podcasts, and more created by people like you and I. We have all been through something related to our mental health. We all have a story to share. We all can take something from each others experiences, good or bad. My goal is to provide a place where there is always something here which can benefit everyone who visits and is created by someone similar to all of us.
Please, take a look at all the selections available and I hope you find something which can be meaningful to your life and meaningful to your mental health growth.
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Have You Been Eating And Sleeping
People who find it hard to share their feelings may feel more comfortable sharing tangible evidence that they’re in pain.
Sleep and appetite are often impacted by mental health. So someone might more easily say, “I just haven’t wanted to eat for a while,” or “I haven’t slept more than 20 minutes at a time.”
Asking those questions also shows you care, and it may give you an opening to intervene. You might follow it up with a question like, “Have you thought about talking to your doctor about that?” Show empathy by acknowledging their pain, and make it clear that you want them to feel better.
I Will Not Be My Mental Illness: Part 1
Are you in pain and exhausted in every possible way? Did your life turn into an unexpected nightmare that never seems to end? Are you looking for a fresh perspective that isnt from a typical self-help book? Have you come to believe that you are merely your mental illness? I hear you, which is why I decided to write the book I wish I had read 5 years ago. Since the beginning, I have kept a personal journal of my struggles, realizations and the process of my recovery. Only now have I decided to share it. I am not writing for academics. Im writing for you. No, for us, who are in the same struggle that of being human. For years I lost hope of any kind of happy ending. Only now am I seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I gave up on life but was lucky enough to be given a second chance. That will mean nothing if I cant help others. You probably feel lost, desperate and alone. Do you feel that void where something really important used to live? That flame of life that gave you a reason to keep going? If you feel as I have – that you have nothing to lose, I beg you to give this a chance. Join me on my journey beginning with the darkness of Part 1 through to the hope and self-discovery of my continuing work. I believe that together, we can overcome these demons and reach the light at the end of the tunnel! Caution: This book contains graphic imagery and triggering topics including suicide, self-harm, anorexia and other dark content that may be disturbing for some readers.
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What Am I Doing To Invest In My Health
Even if youre focused on your health, staying committed on a daily basis can feel overwhelming when youre juggling multiple things. Are you keeping up with your treatment plan? Do you need to create a treatment plan? Taking care of yourself is work and optimal health is the result of making the right lifestyle changes and working closely with your healthcare team to find a symptom management plan that works for you.
Want To Talk I’m Here To Listen
Asking questions about the reasons someone feels depressed is a start, but often, what someone needs most isn’t your help finding the cause, but rather it’s your presence they need most.
Imagine someone in a deep dark hole, sluggish, not much energy physically or emotionally, not much motivation to change things. Stuck.
What do they need the most? Imagine it’s you suffering from depression. What would you want?
A willing, caring, non-judgmental ear. Someone to listen so you can pour out your troubles without necessarily wanting advice.
If your loved one can’t even bear to talk, ask if you can just sit with them. Or, if they prefer to be alone, you can say, “I’m here when you’re ready.”
It’s helpful to put yourself in their shoes without joining them in their pain. Being sad with them won’t help either of you.
While you’re at it, ask yourself some questions, too:
Do you need them to answer your questions because you’re worried and you want to get them out of their space, so you’ll feel better?
If so, take a breath, and back off while you wait with them. Try to restrain yourself from giving advice that’s not asked for or peppering them with a lot of questions. That will probably turn them off and push them away from you.
When you say things like, “Sounds really hard,” or “I can imagine it sucks,” or your own version of empathy, folks feel heard.
Bring empathy and love without asking them to change.
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How To Know If You Are Depressed 9 Questions To Ask
1. How long have you been feeling low?
Is it only recently youve not felt yourself? Like in the last few weeks? And is this unusual for you, or are you constantly having ups and downs?
If youve only felt blue for a few weeks or more, it could be a bout of sadness or emotional shock.
Depression comes when weve not felt ourselves for around six weeks, or up to a lot longer.
Look at the big picture here if you tend to have ups and downs. If you have two or three weeks of feeling low each month, and its been going on for half the year, then you are really looking at a six-month period. Its time to reach out for help.
2. How interested are you in your hobbies and activities?
Crying a lot, but still making it to the gym, and happy to get out to see friends as then you feel better? You are more likely just processing some sadness.
Depression actually affects our capacity to want to do things we usually like. Everything seems too much effort to be bothered.
3. Do you know whats behind your moods?
Did you have a bad experience a few weeks ago, like a redundancy, a break up, or a presentation gone wrong? You might be suffering severe stress.
The good thing about stress, unlike depression, is that we can identify the issue and therefore take steps to fix it. We can get help with a new CV, spend time with friends, or take a course in public speaking.
Note that stress can, however, become depression if we dont deal with the stressor. So do seek support to make a plan forward.
Ask Them If They Want To Talk
Sometimes the most important thing you can do for a depressed friend is to just listen sympathetically while they talk about what is bothering them, allowing them to relieve the pressure of pent-up feelings.
Make sure to listen without interrupting. We all wish to fix things for those we care about and often offer quick fixes to cope with our own feelings of helplessness. Sometimes people who are depressed just need to talk without having the conversation taken over with well-meaning advice.
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Ask The Expert: Questions About Dealing With Depression
Jed Magen, associate professor and chair in the Department of Psychiatry, answers questions about dealing with depression.
1. If you think youre depressed, what kind of doctor or mental health professional should you reach out to? Will they be able to get you the right therapy or medication?
A family physician is reasonably capable of treating the average depressed person with medications, usually selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For more complex depressions or those that reoccur, a psychiatrist is an expert in treating these kinds of disorders and can also help you find a therapist. Psychologists and social workers often do therapy for depression. It is useful to ask what kind of therapy these people provide as the ones noted above have the best evidence base for treatment of depression.
2. What should you make sure to do in order to stay healthy while feeling depressed? What are some helpful reminders you can set up for yourself or routines you should practice to take care of your health?
3. Why is social connection important for dealing with depression? How might this feel difficult for someone with depression?
4. What are some tips for how to maintain social connection and find support while depressed?
5. How can exercise and sunlight both on their own and together help you deal with depression? What has research found about physical activity and Vitamin D for improving mood?
How Long Do You Need To Take Medication For
Unlike some medications, anti-depressants can take a number of weeks to have any effect, we might need to increase the dose, too, which can take a few more weeks. Different people will have to take medication for different lengths of time. Guidelines suggest that people continue to take their anti-depressants for at least 6 months, or up to two years for people who have a previous history of depression. People with recurrent depression may need to be on medication for longer than that, and thats nothing to be ashamed of medication is just a tool we use to help us with our depression.
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When Its Time To Seek Help
If you have several of the symptoms described above and they have lasted for an extended period of time, its time to get help. Its also critical to find out whats causing your depression. Research shows that biological risk factorssuch as inflammation, head trauma, exposure to toxins, neurohormone deficiencies, and diabesity can contribute to mental health issues, such as depression. Addressing these risk factors with alternatives to antidepressants can help minimize symptoms of depression.
Depression,anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health issues cant wait. During theseuncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waitinguntil life gets back to normal is likely to make your symptoms worsen overtime.
At Amen Clinics, were here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
What To Do If You Think A Friend Is Considering Suicide
Suicide isnt inevitable. We can all help prevent suicide. If you believe someone you know may be thinking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 for free, any time, 24/7.
The hotline also offers you a toolkit for supporting people on social media, down to specific platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
They can help you determine how to identify someone in need of support and who to contact within the social media community if youre worried about their safety.
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Ive Heard Lots Of Warnings About Drug Interactions With Certain Depression Medicines What Are They
MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are effective antidepressant medicines that have been used for years. Typically prescribed for people with severe depression, MAOIs improve mood by increasing the number of chemicals in the brain that pass messages between brain cells. They have proven to work just as well as, if not better than, other antidepressant drugs, but they have more possible food and drug interactions.
Medicines to avoid when taking MAOIs include all SSRIs and certain pain medicines, including Demerol and tramadol. There are also some cough medicines, decongestants, and blood pressure medicines that should not be taken with MAOIs. Foods to avoid when taking MAOIs include aged cheeses and meats, pickled or smoked foods like sauerkraut or meat, and aged or fermented foods such as soy sauce or tap beer. It is important to tell your doctor about any medicines you are currently taking. Be sure to discuss the limitations, interactions, and possible side effects of MAOIs.
What Can I Do For You
Mental health issues can make it tough to function. So if your loved one is struggling, they might appreciate some help. Help may involve practical things like getting groceries or regular emotional support like daily video chats.
However, don’t be surprised if they aren’t sure what you could do for them. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize where we need help, or how someone may be able to assist. If you see something that might be helpful, make a specific offer like, “Can I help you get the dishes done?”
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I Will Not Be My Mental Illness: Let’s Recover Together
Another self-help book, right? I can feel you cringe from here. Let me put your mind at ease. I’m no psychiatrist or fancy writer. I’m human in fact, painfully so. If you’ve stumbled upon my book perhaps you feel similarly. I won’t tell you what to do, what not to do or that it’s all gonna be fine. Enough of that, am I right? This is simply about US. Two humans trying to figure out what the heck is going on. I’ve learned a thing or two and maybe hearing from an ordinary girl is just the fresh view we need. I invite you to hop on board with me and strap in for a bumpy ride. Together, maybe we can figure things out!
Available On Amazon!
Who Am I By Jason Kehl
Who Am I? This is a question I have been grappling with since the beginning. Since the moment I asked for help. Since the moment I decided alcohol would no longer control me. I thought I was something when I drank. I thought I knew who that something was, but it got lost in the shuffle of drinking as much as I could each and every time I drank. When you take away a huge part of your life, whether it is negative or positive, there is a rediscovery that takes place. You are basically a new person and it takes time to discover who we really are. The question of “Who Am I?” has come up many many times as I work to find this new me. I feel like I am getting closer everyday, and everyday I figure more and more out, and I do like what I see before me.
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