When living with depression, it can seem like there is no way out, and therein lies one of the main obstacles to combating it. The longer you isolate yourself from family and friends, the heavier the weight you feel bearing down on you becomes. When you seek help with your depression from a treatment center, you will no longer be alone.
Women have specific needs that reflect their own experiences, so they require an environment that makes them feel able to tell their stories. One of the aspects of depression treatment is learning coping skills to manage your depression when you return home. The first step is to reach out to and engage with others who are going through the same struggle. Please contact The Willows at Red Oak® today at 828.518.6941 to learn about the services available.
Coping With Depression Through Lifestyle Changes
Taking care of your physical, social, and emotional health can all make a huge difference. Certain activities can alter the levels of chemicals in your brain, helping to alleviate some of the symptoms of depression. One of the most effective options is simply getting a little sunlight. If you can exercise while spending time outdoors, the mood-lifting effect can be even greater. Another useful way of getting some endorphins is by remembering to eat healthy food. Foods low in sugar and high in healthy fats, proteins, fiber, and antioxidants are always best, but just remembering to eat anything each day is important. Another great mood lifter can be spending time with friends and loved ones. It might seem like a lot of effort, but it is definitely worth it.
5 Coping Skills for Depression
In our depression treatment program, we offer our residents a range of coping skills, which they can then use to manage their condition. The skills include:
Connecting with Others
Keeping in touch with others who understand what you are going through and are willing to offer their support to help you stay sober is vital in preventing you from self-isolating. Join a support group, help out others in your situation, care for a pet, or be involved with social activities even if you have reservations about them.
Be Active
Once you get used to moving around and being physically active, you will want to make it a healthy habit. Spend some quality time walking in nature, take a yoga class, or go for a long bike ride. Exercise is one of the best antidepressants.
Eat Healthy
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, anchovies, herring, and sardines are very effective in helping stabilize your mood.
Catch Some Rays
Sunlight is not just for vitamin D. Spend at least 15 minutes a day in direct sunlight. It can boost your serotonin levels, raising your spirits, and putting you into a better mood.
Fight Against Negativity
Put on the gloves and beat back negative thinking. Remind yourself that you are worth fighting for. Try to incorporate positive thinking into day-to-day activities.
Coping With Depression With Medication
Clinical depression does have some physical causes since doctors can often link it to abnormally low levels of certain neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain. An effective part of treatment can be taking certain medications that help to balance your neurochemistry. Most antidepressants fall into certain categories, like SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs. They tend to work by either encouraging the body to make more of the helpful neurotransmitters or preventing the body from disposing of these neurotransmitters too soon. Antidepressant medications work best when you routinely take them, and it can take two to four weeks for you to notice the effect. Therefore, it is important to follow your doctor’s advice and be patient, instead of concluding that antidepressants do not work for you.
Using Therapy to Address Depression
Medication alone is not typically enough to treat clinical depression. It is also important to have regular psychotherapy. This gives you the tools you need to deal with the negative thinking patterns of depression. There are multiple types of therapy to consider, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and problem-solving therapy. If past trauma is the cause of your depression, it may also be helpful to try trauma therapy. This can help address some of the issues that may be triggering the depression.
Reach Out to The Willows Today
Depression seems unbearable at times. However, by learning certain skills that allow you to cope with its fallout, you can better manage the low moments you face in the midst of your depression. Don’t wait to get the treatment you need. Contact The Willows online or at 828.518.6941. Take the first step on your journey to wellness and recovery.
