Depression: How to survive

[janbear]

Depression: How to survive
depression one day at a time
By Alicia Fortinberry, MS

While you're working on our comprehensive, proven 7-step program for overcoming depression, you may still hit a rough patch from time to time. Don't lose heart or feel overwhelmed and anxious because you can't just snap out of it.

Instead, do just ONE SMALL THING at a time and the cloud WILL lift. Here are six quick things to try.

Remind yourself of ONE thing: you are not your depression. This state of pain or panic is not an integral part of you, and it is not your fault. And it will go.

Tell ONE friend how you're feeling. You may feel awkward at first, but this is exactly what good friends are for.

Figure out ONE thing that someone has done that might have triggered your current feelings, and let them know not to do it again.

Tell someone ONE thing they could do to meet a need of yours, whether it's inviting you out to the movies or pouring you a cup of tea or coffee.

Take ONE walk today, optimally in a park or natural setting, and notice anything that strikes you're a colorful, pleasing to your senses or beautiful.

Feldenkrais-type movements that promote immediate improvements in wellbeing and effective movement while stimulating the brain to learn to form new connections on the basis of function instead of habit.

Take ONE minute to talk to your Higher Power, God, guardian angel or Universal Spirit--however you think of this kindly presence, even if you don't really believe in it. Offer this presence your gratitude, plea for help or even your anger-don't hold back any emotion at all.

[James55]

Thanks Jan. I still battle with depression at times. Making a gratitude list helps most of the time

[Misselle]

Most of these are great, and have been really helpful for me as well!

One thing that I would be careful with:

Figure out ONE thing that someone has done that might have triggered your current feelings, and let them know not to do it again.

I would be pretty darn sure that this person or event in question really did set you off and that it triggered your depression, not that it upset you because you are depressed. It is a chicken and egg situation and a very touchy one. My mother, for example, is famous for grasping at anything that might have set her off and then blaming that person for it. Often it isn't really fair and she has caused a lot of issues in her personal life because of this tendency.

Then, once you are indeed sure that this person/event is what set you off, wait until you are feeling better and can look at it rationally before you confront said person. You all here have really helped me see when I am just reacting through my depression and saved me a lot of grief!

[janbear]

would be pretty darn sure that this person or event in question really did set you off and that it triggered your depression, not that it upset you because you are depressed. It is a chicken and egg situation and a very touchy one. My mother, for example, is famous for grasping at anything that might have set her off and then blaming that person for it. Often it isn't really fair and she has caused a lot of issues in her personal life because of this tendency.

Then, once you are indeed sure that this person/event is what set you off, wait until you are feeling better and can look at it rationally before you confront said person

Well put, Misselle