lifeafterdepression

If you go to the doctor for treatment for your depression, you will likely be given an antidepressant as part of your treatment. Antidepressants have gotten a bad reputation over the years because many people become addicted to them or abuse them when they are not actually clinically depressed. However, these are an important part of your treatment, so you should know how they work.

 While there are several types of antidepressants on the market, most of them work in a similar fashion. Basically, these medications slow down the uptake of neurotransmitters in the brain. This makes them more available to the brain, helping to stabilize the chemicals in the brain. So what about you? What depression medications did you take, and how well did they work?

If you are someone who has been depressed at any point in your life, you need to get some exercise! Exercise is as good as some medications for many people who are recovering from depression. Research has shown that exercise also helps prevent depression relapses.

Starting an exercise routine is not easy, especially when you are dealing with the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes after depression. Here are some tips you can use to get on the move!

•  Pace yourself - Don’t start training for a marathon at first. Simply start with walking, and gradually work your way to more intense exercise.
• Get enough - Aim for 3 sessions of 30 minutes per week at least. If you have trouble exercising for 30 minutes at one time, break up your exercise sessions into two shorter sessions.
• Have fun - Choose an exercise that appeals to you. If you like being outdoors, walk outside. If you like people, go to the gym.

You will be surprised how quickly you will notice a difference in how you feel after you start exercising. So, get up, get outside, and get moving!

According to a study done by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, people who work overtime are more likely to experience depression then those who work normal hours during the week. In the study, overtime was considered anything over 41 hours per week. However, the highest tendencies for depression occurred in those who worked 49 hours or more per week. Interestingly, men seemed to be more likely to be depressed if they were overworked.

So what does this mean to you? If you are getting over depression and find that your job requires you to work long hours on a repeated basis, it might be time for a change. Either talk to your boss to see if you can work out a different schedule, or consider a career change. This can help your depression to stay away as you heal. 

When you start to recover from depression, you may be discouraged by the times that it seems to be coming back. I recommend having a journal. Write in it every day, even just a few words or sentences. This will give you something to look back on when you are wondering if you are getting better. It will also give you a place to “vent” when you feel that your spouse, friend, or other relative has heard enough about your depression. Sometimes writing down your feelings will allow you to analyze them logically. You can also see how far you have come by looking back at older entries. So get a notebook, and start writing.

Are you getting enough sleep? Being over tired is a great way to invite back the depression monster. If you have beaten your depression, make sure you are taking care of yourself or it will return. One of the most important ways to fight depression is to get enough sleep.

 Everyone’s sleep needs are slightly different, but the national sleep foundation says that adults need between 7 and 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. If you are not getting this much sleep, you could be facing sleep deprivation. Oh, and naps help, but they are not enough. If you are going to use your sleep to battle your depression, you need to adjust your schedule to ensure that you are getting a good night’s sleep if at all possible!

If you are working on enjoying life after depression, one of the easiest ways to boost a bad day is to go outside. Spring has sprung accross the country, and it is time for us to enjoy it! Being outdoors is one of the best cures for depression. Go outside, take a walk, and enjoy nature. You will be surprised how much better you feel afterwards!

I’m not sure what it is about the fresh air and sunshine, but they are known mood boosters. In fact, when a city experiences weeks on end without sunshine, doctors report far more depression cases than when the weather is normal. If the sun is shining, you need to be enjoying it, especially as someone who is enjoying life after depression!

Do you talk about your depression? When I was struggling with depression, I was amazed at the number of people around me who had also struggled. I was shocked, because no one talked about it. It was like being depressed was something to hide. When I started looking for support, I found many people around me who had been where I was. 

I talk about my depression. I don’t do it for attention, but rather because I think people need to know that it is a real disease that affects normal people who have every reason to be happy. Do you talk about your depression? Why or why not?

If you find that your friends or family members are not providing you with the support you need, then it is time to find a depression support group. Having support as you heal is essential to beating the disease. However, you need to choose your support group with care.

Some support groups may make your depression worse. If you spend the entire meeting listening to other people’s “sob stories,” rather than focusing on the good things in your life after depression, you could find yourself sinking back into the blues. Choose a support group that helps you feel better about yourself, your situation, and your condition. If you leave your meetings feeling uplifted and excited about life, you have found a good support group!

Are you still on medication? I believe that the Zoloft my doctor prescribed saved my life. I didn’t need it forever, though. After forgetting to take it for two days, I realized I didn’t need it anymore. However, I know some people need to be on depression medication for many years. What category are you in?

 My philosophy about depression medications is this: if they help you enjoy life after depression, continue taking them. If you can overcome the disease with medication and then stop taking it, this is a great route to take. I have known people in my life who thought that being on depression medication was the worst possible situation, but I disagree. Without those medications, I would not be here today. What do you think?

One of the things I struggled with the most when I was dealing with and healing from depression was talking to my husband about what I was thinking and feeling. I often knew that what I was feeling was not logical, but nonetheless it was very real to me. It was easier for me to hide inside myself than talk to him and ask for support. However, getting support from your significant other is essential when you are dealing with this disease.

When you talk to your spouse, remember that he or she will not understand what you are going through. While your spouse will not understand, you still need to talk. Your spouse needs to know what is going on in your head and your heart in order to support you as you recover.

I found that being brutally honest with my husband was the best route. Sure, he didn’t get it completely, but it did help him understand why my behavior was so strange. He helped me plan ways to be around people so I would feel less blue. He offered to take the baby or take us all out to eat so that I could have some relief. So my advice to you would be to be honest, even if your spouse doesn’t “get it.” So now it’s your turn. What tips do you have for those who are trying to explain what they are going through to their spouses? What worked for you, and what didn’t work?