What Having Anxiety Feels Like
Anxiety is an invisible illness. However, Sometimes the most painful demons are the ones that you cant even see. People with anxiety tend to look like they are fine, but the reality is that they are not. With powerful visuals, pacing, and music, Meghan Rienks gives us a look into what having anxiety is like. Warning: This video has some strong language.
Benefits Of Film Therapy And Watching Depression Movies
Movies are an all-encompassing experience. They immerse people in a story and the characters because they engage multiple aspects of the brain. Language, visual imagery, special effects, music and sound effects reach the whole person. Movies offer a unique experience of enhancing thinking while simultaneously pulling people out of their own thoughts. Also, movies evoke strong feelings that can lead to catharsis and relief.
Movies about depression offer many benefits to people who live with the illness as well as those who do not. Depression videos gift people with:
- A safe way to talk about their own experiences, in the context of a story and its characters
- Increased understanding about the mental illness and empathy for people living with it
- Enhanced insight about themselves, others, and depression itself
- New perspectives on external events that contribute to their negative thoughts and emotions
- Glimpses into how others solve problems and heal from depression
- A deeper sense of connection with others who are experiencing major depression
- Hope
Sometimes, movie-watching is incorporated into therapy. A counselor might assign a depression movie as homework, and client and counselor will discuss aspects of the film during the next session. Other times, people watch depression movies on their own or with a loved one not as homework but simply to relax and enjoy. Either way, people can grow from watching videos about depression.
Where Can I Find Self
Self-help resources are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about low mood, its best to talk to your doctor first and rule out physical causes for your symptoms. However, once youve checked in with your doctor, self-help materials can be a great way to learn more about depression and practice different skills at your own pace or in between treatment sessions. Here are some resources to check out.
Key resources: |
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The 7 Best Online Help Resources For Depression In 2021
- Best Self-Paced Program: This Way Up
- Best for Therapist Interaction: Online-Therapy.com
Talkspace matches you to a therapist for individual sessions, and their services are available via desktop or mobile device. The therapists specialize in a variety of mental health issues, including depression, so you can count on them being a helpful resource to help get you in a better headspace.
They offer three different levels of service/pricing plans:
Additional live therapy sessions can be added to any plan if the therapist is agreeable. Thirty-minute sessions cost $49. Talkspace now offers a one-week free trial.
What You Eat And Drink Can Also Affect How You Feel
Theres no magic diet that will treat depression. But what you put into your body can have a real and significant impact on the way you feel.
Eating a diet rich in lean meats, vegetables, and grains may be a great place to start. Try to limit stimulants like caffeine, coffee, and soda, and depressants like alcohol.
Some people also and have more energy when they avoid sugar, preservatives, and processed foods.
If you have the means, consider meeting with a doctor or registered dietitian for guidance.
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I Had A Black Dog His Name Was Depression By The World Health Organisation
At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression. Many of these individuals and their families are afraid to talk about their struggles, and dont know where to turn for help. However, depression is largely preventable and treatable. Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical towards recovery.
In collaboration with WHO to mark World Mental Health Day, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone tells the story of overcoming the black dog of depression. More information on the book can be found here:
Connect With Friends Or Whnau
Connecting with people can help you feel better faster and stay well for longer. Try some of these ideas if you haven’t been keeping in touch with friends or whnau for a while.
Find one of these occasions to get in touch:
- meet up with friends for a coffee
- help out at the local community centre or marae
- spend more time with the children or grandchildren . Maybe you could take them to their khanga or childcare. You might like to stay around to watch them play or have a casual chat with any other adults who are there. Facebook some friends or whnau you havent caught up with in a while
- go to whnau birthdays, anniversaries and holiday get-togethers
- make a meal with a friend
- go for a walk or a swim with friends
- join online forums or chat groups
- get help from a friend or counsellor to begin to work out any difficult relationships.
We know that when people are feeling low and anxious, they often withdraw from their whnau and friends. Its a natural response but actually, strong connections can help you get well faster and help you stay well for longer.
Your whnau and your community can be your strength, providing a strong sense of belonging and support . Getting involved, spending time with them, and even doing things for them can give you a feeling of purpose and wellbeing.
It might help to plan your outings. Decide what youre going to do and write down when youll do it. This makes it easier to ignore those negative feelings that stop you going at the last minute.
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Do The Opposite Of What The Depression Voice Suggests
The negative, irrational voice in your head may talk you out of self-help. However, if you can learn to recognize it, you can learn to replace it. Use logic as a weapon. Address each thought individually as it occurs.
If you believe an event wont be fun or worth your time, say to yourself, You might be right, but itll be better than just sitting here another night. You may soon see the negative isnt always realistic.
A lengthy to-do list may be so weighty that youd rather do nothing. Instead of compiling a long list of tasks, consider setting one or two smaller goals.
For example:
- Dont clean the house take the trash out.
- Dont do all the laundry thats piled up just sort the piles by color.
- Dont clear out your entire email inbox just address any time-sensitive messages.
When youve done a small thing, set your eyes on another small thing, and then another. This way, you have a list of tangible achievements and not an untouched to-do list.
All goals are worthy of recognition, and all successes are worthy of celebration. When you achieve a goal, do your best to recognize it.
You may not feel like celebrating with a cake and confetti, but recognizing your own successes can be a very powerful weapon against depressions negative weight.
The memory of a job well-done may be especially powerful against negative talk and overgeneralization.
Focus on times when you feel the most disorganized or scattered.
Best Video Program: Undoing Depression
Udemy
Undoing Depression is a 4.5-hour, on-demand video course offered on Udemy. It includes 17 downloadable resources and is run by Randy Paterson, a Canadian psychologist and the director of Changeways Clinic.
The course is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and helps students gain a better understanding of depression, teaching strategies for taking action that will break the downward spiral of depression.
The course provides a structured system of behavior activationa gradual goal setting strategy that targets the areas of life that are likely to produce the greatest payoffs in your mood. Once your mood improves , youll be able to challenge the negative thoughts that contribute to your depression.
The course facilitator says the course is appropriate for individuals experiencing depressed mood who wish to take concrete action to reclaim their lives and feel better. This could include individuals with clinical depression as well as those with less intense mood disturbances, including a sense of inertia, boredom, or general dissatisfaction.
The instructor recommends that anyone with clinical depression only take the course after consulting with a qualified healthcare professional.
The course is not appropriate for anyone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or those experiencing psychotic symptoms.
The course costs $94.99 and for that purchase price, youll get lifetime access to the material.
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Why Is Dealing With Depression So Difficult
Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to take the steps that will help you to feel better. Sometimes, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like exercising or spending time with friends, can seem exhausting or impossible to put into action.
Its the Catch-22 of depression recovery: The things that help the most are the things that are the most difficult to do. There is a big difference, however, between something thats difficult and something thats impossible. While recovering from depression isnt quick or easy, you do have more control than you realizeeven if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key is to start small and build from there. You may not have much energy, but by drawing on all your reserves, you should have enough to take a walk around the block or pick up the phone to call a loved one, for example.
Taking the first step is always the hardest. But going for a walk or getting up and dancing to your favorite music, for example, is something you can do right now. And it can substantially boost your mood and energy for several hourslong enough to put a second recovery step into action, such as preparing a mood-boosting meal or arranging to meet an old friend. By taking the following small but positive steps day by day, youll soon lift the heavy fog of depression and find yourself feeling happier, healthier, and more hopeful again.
A Look At The Work Of Jay Earley
Dr. Jay Earley, the founder of the website Self-Therapy Journey, is probably best known for his extensive work on Internal Family Systems therapy. As well as being an author and teacher, his work on the Inner Critic concept is widely acknowledged and used in self-therapy.
In Earleys own words, the Inner Critic describes an internal part of ourselves that judges you, demeans you, and pushes you to do things . The Inner Critic features heavily in self-esteem issues, which commonly underpin anxiety, stress, and depression.
Earley and his wife Bonnie Weiss have identified seven types of Inner Critic:
If youre interested in discovering your own Inner Critic, Earley and Weiss have developed a quiz that you can fill out at Self-Therapy Journey .
Earleys work can also be seen in the Pattern System that forms the basis of the STJ online resource. This system helps to map the capabilities, behavior, inner parts, and dynamics of our psyche and can be helpful in allowing us to better understand the relationships we have with others and ourselves.
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Know That Today Isnt Indicative Of Tomorrow
Todays mood, emotions, or thoughts dont belong to tomorrow.
If you were unsuccessful at getting out of bed or accomplishing your goals today, remember that you havent lost tomorrows opportunity to try again.
Give yourself the grace to accept that while some days will be difficult, some days will also be great. Try to look forward to tomorrows fresh start.
I Know What Youre Thinking That All Sounds Fantastic But How Do I Get Into Self
As in, how do you muster up the motivation to actually complete the daily self-care checklist?
Itâs a catch 22 right? You feel unable to do those things that will make you feel better because the depression causes you to be unmotivated and overwhelmed.
And yet, doing those things will help reduce the depression and the unmotivated and overwhelmed feelings.
My advice is to take it one item at a time. Call it a win if you manage to tick off one thing from the checklist. When youre regularly doing that, call it a win if you can check two things off the checklist.
If there is something on the checklist you absolutely hate doing, is there another, fun way to get the same effect without doing that exact action.
Maybe you find going for a walk outside seriously boring. Instead, you could do yoga in your garden, or sit outside and have your lunch and go to the gym for a swim later to move your body.
Maybe you detest cleaning and tidying, is there space in your budget to hire a cleaner? Or would your housemate or partner mind taking charge of keeping your home clean and tidy?
Donât do stuff you donât enjoy just because itâs meant to be good for you, one size fits all does not work when it comes to self-care!
But in order to make self-care happen, it really just needs to be scheduled in to help it become a routine. So make sure you give yourself enough time in the morning to have a good breakfast, do a quick tidy and take a walk outside.
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I Jumped Off The Golden Gate Bridge
Thousands of people have committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, and only 1 percent of them have survived. This is the story of one man who did. He describes what led him there, the thoughts that rushed through him as he fell, and his recovery since his miraculous survival. His message to those suffering with depression is: Its OK to not be OK. Its not OK to not ask someone to back you up.
If You Need To Wallow Wallow But Do So Constructively
Suppressing your feelings and emotions may seem like a strategic way to cope with the negative symptoms of depression. But this technique is ultimately unhealthy.
If youre having a down day, have it. Let yourself feel the emotions but dont stay there.
Consider writing or journaling about what youre experiencing. Then, when the feelings lift, write about that, too.
Seeing the ebb and flow of depressive symptoms can be instructive for both self-healing and hope.
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Depression Movies And Videos You Have To See
Imagine watching depression movies as a form of therapy. When youre living with major depression, watching films about this often-debilitating illness just might help you. Far from keeping you mired in despair, depression movies can be a tool to help you through. Known as movie therapy, cinematherapy, or film therapy, experiencing videos about depression is an active, and often enjoyable, way to deal with your illness. Heres a look at movie therapy and a list of depression movies and videos that are must-sees.
How To Get Stuff Done When You Are Depressed
Depression can make it difficult to stay in school and hold a job. In this TEDx Talk, Jessica Gimeno shares her personal struggle with depression, other diseases, and the strategies she uses to stay productive. This is a very inspirational video with a lot of helpful information for anyone that feels unproductive due to their depression.
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When Youre Depressed You Cant Just Will Yourself To Snap Out Of It But This Guide To Depression Help Can Put You On The Road To Recovery
Coronavirus update
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of us are dealing with social distancing, isolation, and lockdowns that make it even harder to cope with symptoms of depression. Whatever your circumstances, though, there are ways to overcome feelings of sadness and despair, improve your mood, and regain a sense of hope. In addition to the tips in this article, you can also find help for depression in our Coronavirus Mental Health Toolkit.
Exercise Is Something You Can Do Right Now To Boost Your Mood
Your fatigue will improve if you stick with it. Starting to exercise can be difficult when youre depressed and feeling exhausted. But research shows that your energy levels will improve if you keep with it. Exercise will help you to feel energized and less fatigued, not more.
Find exercises that are continuous and rhythmic. The most benefits for depression come from rhythmic exercisesuch as walking, weight training, swimming, martial arts, or dancingwhere you move both your arms and legs.
Add a mindfulness element, especially if your depression is rooted in unresolved trauma or fed by obsessive, negative thoughts. Focus on how your body feels as you movesuch as the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, or the feeling of the wind on your skin, or the rhythm of your breathing.
Pair up with an exercise partner. Not only does working out with others enable you to spend time socializing, it can also help to keep you motivated. Try joining a running club, taking a water aerobics or dance class, seeking out tennis partners, or enrolling in a soccer or volleyball league.
Take a dog for a walk.If you dont own a dog, you can volunteer to walk homeless dogs for an animal shelter or rescue group. Youll not only be helping yourself but also be helping to socialize and exercise the dogs, making them more adoptable.
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