How do you deal with depression?
I have been recently diagnosed with mixed anxiety and mild depression by a psychiatrist and was prescribed medication. Also asked to exercise everyday and pursue my hobby of reading. Any other tips on how to handle depression better while I am on medication?
Coming from someone who has had clinical depression for almost a decade:
- Your depression is not the definition of who you are. You are much more than this mental illness.
- Don't give it too much power. Treat it like you would treat any physical illness. Imagine someone had cancer, they don't bow down to it, right? They fight, they will themselves to get better. That's what you do with depression too. It is an imbalance in brain chemicals, that happened due to some reason. That's it. Aspire to live your life happily.
- Meditate
- Spend time with people who would listen to you, spend time with yourself to heal, dance, listen to music, read, paint, do whatever would bring a smile to your face.
- There would be bad days, so give yourself grace and some extra love on those days. It's okay. Feeling your emotions is also necessary to figure out where it is hurting, and then you learn to heal yourself.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I was bogged down by the diagnosis, but like you mentioned-I cannot give it too much power and let it take over my entire life. I hope to figure out a way to live a better life! Thank you for your commments-It gives me a different perspective to think about.
I hope you are doing better now.
Thanks, I am doing a lot better.
One more thing, while you are on medication, try to get yourself in a lifestyle that is beneficial to you and something that you would want to live like for a long time. Try to find a routine, sit down and think if you haven't thought about it. Move your body (exercise, yog, dance, etc), be in sunlight, this will help in raising your dopamine and serotonin levels.
Most of all, take it easy with implementing all this. This is something you are equipping yourself with for a long term, for a healthy life. Do it slow and steady.
You can also talk with a psychologist. And if you want to talk to me about something, then dm.
Regular meditation. Hang out with friends and family. Do the things you really enjoy. Sleep and wake up at the same time every day to have a good sleep routine.
Thank you!
I resigned from my job and took a break to focus on my mental and physical health. Now, in a much better shape mentally as well. Eat home cooked foods, pick a sport, cut down on screen time. Most of the things would fall in place.
Thank you for the advice! Glad to hear you are doing much better now!