Depression is an insidious disease that shouldn’t be dismissed. We suggest some easy ways to help you snap out of a minor episode. For serious depression, do head to an expert.
We all experience highs and lows. But if you feel chronically sad most of the time, and are weepy and irritable too, then you could be suffering from chronic depression.
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone put the spotlight on depression by confessing her own experience with this illness. Today, she attributes her improved mental health to her mother, who supported her in seeking therapy and medication.
Her message to the world is: Reach out and get help if you suffer from depression. Taking action to help yourself is the best thing you could do.
Tips to help you identify and treat depression
#1 Accept the feeling
The first step to treating depression effectively, is to accept the problem. Many people aren’t aware that depression is a disease, like any other. Here are the signs:
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Low self esteem
- Anger issues
- Sleep disorders
- Weight gain or loss
- Fatigue
- Lack of concentration
- Anxiety disorder, which leads to obsessive thoughts, unconditional fears, or panic attacks and heart palpitations.
#2 Get to the root cause
Depression may be triggered by many factors, such as financial problems, traumatic life events or relationship problems. Sometimes these resolve themselves, and your low feelings also disappear.
But when your sad, tired feelings grow to chronic proportions, then it’s time to pay heed. Unless you take action, your quality of life will suffer. So, you need to come up with a strategy, to tackle it.
#3 Be patient and kind to yourself
Negative self-talk is a damaging habit, which lowers the self-esteem. So be kind to yourself, remind yourself about all that’s good about your life, and hang on to your patience.
Try meditation therapies, yoga, and talking to your friends and family about your feelings. If your sadness persists and you find it hard to maintain your normal activities, then you should see a mental health professional, and get your depression evaluated.
#4 Figure out whether you need medication
In milder cases of depression, a good listener and the introduction of mood relief therapies may be the solution. But at times, self-help may not work.
So inform yourself about medications that can provide relief, and find a psychiatrist with a good track record of treating others like you. Together, you can chart out a course of action, that will help you gain control of your sad feelings.