How to Deal with Depression

“Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is.” — Atticus

While awareness about mental health continues to grow, many people continue to suffer in silence. Currently, more than 16.1 million American adults live with major depressive disorder. This is about 6.7 percent of the national population age 18 and older in any given year.

If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, know that you are not alone. More importantly, know that there is a way out. Dealing with and treating depression may seem like an uphill battle to those living with this condition. But those who do seek treatment often experience a pivotal moment in their lives — one that is filled with hope, understanding, and prolonged happiness.

Depression Can Affect Anyone

The average onset of depression is at 32.5 years old. While depression is often more prevalent in women in comparison to men, this mood disorder can affect anyone at any age. A common yet serious health concern, depression not only impacts the way you feel but also the way you perceive the world and, in turn, act.

Fortunately, depression is treatable.

If you have been experiencing some or all of the following symptoms for at least two weeks, speak out about the way you’re feeling. The symptoms for depression can range from mild to severe and include the following:

• Feeling sad and unmotivated; you may also experience feelings of worthlessness
• A loss of interest in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulties sleeping — either sleeping too little or sleeping too much
• Issues with your thinking skills, impacting your ability to make decisions and concentrate
• Increased fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Related: How Depression is Diagnosed and Treated

How to Get the Help You Need

If you are currently suffering from depression, do not let any perceived stigma hold you back from getting the treatment you deserve. Depression is a real medical condition. It causes a wide spectrum of behavioral, emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms. In turn, they impact your quality of life.

There are many treatment options available. To get the treatment you deserve, you need to take this first and most important step: ask for help.

Whether you confide in a family member, friend, colleague, teacher, or mental health professional, this first step is crucial for you to gain the support you need. You will then be able to get the type of personalized treatment you deserve.

Just some of the treatment options currently available include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy. This is the “gold standard” of psychotherapy — particularly in relation to anxiety and depression.

• Experiential therapies offer a unique approach to treatment. They use tools and activities to promote healing, self-worth, and positive personal growth. Experiential therapies include music therapy, art therapy, and adventure therapy.

• Medication is available to reduce severe symptoms. While the most commonly prescribed medications are SSRIs, your doctor will discuss the best options for you. During dual diagnosis treatment, medication-assisted treatment will help you address both your mental and any psychological illness associated with substance abuse.

• In some cases, residential treatment is both necessary and highly beneficial. Like many other illnesses, depression typically requires long-term, specialized treatment. There are several options available depending on your circumstances. These include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment plans.

Although it is challenging to take the first step, the worst thing you can do is nothing at all. You can overcome your depression and live a healthy life. But in order to do so, you must seek help for depression.

How to Support a Loved One with Depression

If your loved one suffers from depression, you may feel helpless, guilty, fearful, and even angry. That is why it’s critical that you learn to maintain your own emotional well-being and equilibrium. If you are currently concerned for someone you love, please take the following steps:

1. Start to learn about depression. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the more you’ll be able to understand what your loved one is going through. It’s important to understand that your loved one cannot simply “snap out” of it. They are likely to need professional help.
2. Do not enable. If you make excuses or cover up issues for someone dealing with depression, you are not helping them. You are only prolonging their illness. In fact, enabling someone with depression can keep that person from obtaining the type of help they need.
3. Understand that the symptoms of depression can affect the way a person acts. Whether it is your spouse or child you’re concerned about, understand that they may be struggling to connect at a deep emotional level during this period. They may lash out in anger and say hurtful things — do not take it personally.

Help for depression is available. You no longer need to struggle through your condition alone. A professional treatment center can create a plan that is tailored to you and your unique needs.

If you are ready to take that first, most critical step, we’re here to help. Please contact us to learn more about how to deal with depression. You deserve to live a depression-free life, filled with beauty and purpose.