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Help for Depression Helpful Resources

Help for depression needs to be multi-dimensional. Depression is the fastest growing mental health problem in our society. It is also one of the most treatable. Besides medication there are many highly effective behavioral, spiritual, and cognitive treatments to give you help for depression or eliminate it from your life. Below you will find a self-assessment and strategies that will help you understand and overcome depression. You can also browse our personally chosen depression books, magazines, and resources can help.

*See article on overcoming depression.

Depression tends to be a thought and behavior disorder. While medication treatment can help, it does this by helping us think and behave differently. We do depression, and it causes us to feel bad, then feeling bad causes us to do more depression, and the vicious cycle begins. This program will help you learn how not to do depression in spite of how you feel. Depression is also largely due to having a life that you are not happy with, this can cause anger that stays in us causing more depression and hopeless, helpless feelings. All of these things can be dealt with here.

Depression Symptoms

Get 30 % Off Hypnosis Program for Depression

Tips for Seasonal Depression SAD

Depression Self-assessment:

1. Do you look forward to waking up in the morning? *See page on creating joy

2. Do you exercise regularly (at least three times/week)? Exercise can increase endorphins and is one of the best treatments for depression, even though you may not feel like exercising. *See page on overall health, and fitness.

3. Do you have at least three things that you really enjoy doing?

4. Have you explored anti-depressant medication or natural supplements for depression?

5. Do you express yourself when something bothers you? see Anger Management page

6. Do you believe you are competent and worthwhile? see Self-esteem page

7. Have you had your thyroid, liver, and blood sugar tested?

8. I do not have Social Anxiety .

9. My depression does not make my life easier because there are fewer expectations of me.

10. My thinking about myself and the world are realistic and positive. Others around me confirm this.

By working hard and finding out how to say yes to these questions, you will reduce the impact depression has on your life.

You may also find the sections on Healthy environment, Relationships, and Childhood Abuse helpful if you deal with depression.

Seasonal Depression may be different and seems to be affected by the lack of light and shorter days in winter. This may be related to hybernation in humans, or lack of certain chemicals and nutrients that are produced by sunlight.

Here are some tips to help with seasonal depression:

Get out in the sun as much as possible with as little clothing as possible. Do like the Swedes do and get naked outside in the cold. Contrary to popular belief, being cold does not cause colds. In fact there are fewer germs outside in the cold. Try an outdoor hottub and expose yourself from the stomach up. Even 15-20 minutes can make a difference. The more skin exposed, the better. *Do not spend more than a few minutes in the cold if it is really cold (more than 10 degrees below freezing) to make sure you do not get frostbite or hypothermia. Keep your head and feet warm if really cold.
Increase your exercise. Exercise is one of the greatest remedies for depression. You may not feel like it, but force yourself. In the winter we tend not to be as active generally because of the short days and weather. Consciously make an effort to increase exercise. Again just getting outside is good. Shovel snow, walk in the snow, pull your kids around on a sled, get a treadmill and walk or jog during your favorite shows.
Talk to your doctor about artificial light therapy indoors.
Make sure you are getting Vitamin D. If you don't take a supplement, drink lots of milk. Also look into some herbal and vitamin supplements for depression.
As a last resort talk to your doctor about taking an antidepressant medication for short term.

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