| Having discussed the types of depression and the | | | | separately. A way of doing this is to think of each |
| possible cause, in the previous article, it now seems | | | | problem as having a separate box in your mind that |
| appropriate to discuss how sufferers can help | | | | you keep them in. Then decide to only tackle or think |
| themselves. Remembering that help for chronic, clinical | | | | about opening one box at a time in order to tackle |
| and manic depression should be sought from your | | | | them one at a time.Now this does not mean that |
| doctor. Indeed it is your doctor who would diagnose | | | | you have to see through one problem to completion |
| these types of depression and so even if you feel | | | | until you tackle the other problem. It means that you |
| you have mild depression it is still important to seek | | | | think about and take action on one problem, take it |
| your doctor's help first.Causes and Solutions to | | | | as far as you can and then start on the other |
| Depression | | | | problem. You may have to take a number of bites at |
| Some of the possible causes of depression have | | | | a problem before it is dealt with. Some problems may |
| already been listed. The list is not definitive but it is a | | | | involve waiting for others to do something and come |
| useful start. If you know the cause of something | | | | back to you before you can do the next step in |
| then at least you have a target for your energies | | | | resolving it.It can help to have a separate notepad |
| and focus. So if the cause of your depression is | | | | for each problem. Then write down the main points |
| work related, then this should be the focus of your | | | | of the problem. Write down the realistic outcome |
| energies with the aim of reducing or completely | | | | you would like. Then write down the steps you need |
| eliminating the cause.In very few instances do | | | | to tale for that outcome to be realised. Again |
| matters change through inaction. If you do nothing | | | | keeping a note of any dates and interactions you |
| about something than that also tends to be the | | | | have with anyone. You may need to combine your |
| result, nothing. Taking positive action can produce | | | | notepad with a diary to remind you have a future |
| benefits on a number of fronts such as: -1) You feel | | | | date for further action.Keeping unrelated problems |
| better because you are doing something as opposed | | | | separate in your mind by thinking of them as being |
| to just accepting your situation. | | | | stored in separate boxes can ease the sense of |
| 2) Doing something or taking action means that it is | | | | being unable to cope. Then tackling them one at a |
| more likely that there will be a change in the situation. | | | | time can boost your confidence as you start to take |
| 3) Your options automatically increase if you take | | | | manageable bites out of each.No one eats a piazza in |
| action because in doing so you are looking at what | | | | one bite. Now one goes from one floor to the next |
| choices you have. Looking for something, whether | | | | floor in one step. Each bite or step you take are |
| that is your options or something else, means you will | | | | small enough to be manageable and yet you know |
| discover more than if you just did nothing. | | | | with each one that you are getting closer to |
| 4) The feeling of being trapped starts to dissolve as | | | | finishing.If you need professional help then seek it |
| you realise the only person keeping you trapped is | | | | out. You cannot know how to do everything and an |
| you.Even if the action you take is to discuss the | | | | expert might know how to resolve easily what for |
| situation with a close friend, partner or relative at | | | | you has seemed complex.To summarise: - |
| least you get a chance to let it out. Often this by | | | | 1) Focus your energies on the cause |
| itself will help you feel better.Changing the Feeling of | | | | 2) If you need to unload, tell a good friend about it |
| being Overwhelmed or Unable to Cope | | | | 3) Keep different problems separate from each |
| People with depression talk about feeling | | | | other in your mind |
| overwhelmed or unable to cope with what has | | | | 4) Write down the steps you need to take to |
| happened in their life. Often this occurs when more | | | | resolve the problems |
| than one of the major areas in a person's life | | | | 5) Remember one step at a time |
| produces a problem.You might say that there are 5 | | | | 6) Don't be too proud to seek professional help with |
| major areas in a person's life: -1) Health and well-being | | | | any steps you have to take.Exercise of any sort is a |
| 2) Work (or anything that occupies your time) | | | | useful addition to getting back control of your life. |
| 3) The personal relationship with another person | | | | Whether it is swimming, running or even line dancing, |
| (wife, husband, partner) | | | | do make sure your physical body gets exercised. For |
| 4) The home (rented or bought, living with relatives, | | | | when we exercise the body a number of positive |
| friends) | | | | things happen: -1) The 'feel good' hormones are |
| 5) Anything else (wider family, friends, social aspects | | | | released lighting our mood |
| etc.If you get a problem in one area of your life then | | | | 2) Any stress or tension is released from the |
| you can probably cope. If you get another problem | | | | muscles |
| at the same time as the first issue and both of these | | | | 3) Our sleep is likely to be improved |
| last for some time then this is when a person may | | | | 4) Energy levels will increase |
| start to feel overwhelmed, unable to cope and | | | | 5) You will feel healthier |
| therefore depressed.A change of how you view your | | | | 6) Your motivation levels will increase.Lastly, but by |
| situation when you have more than one problem is | | | | no means least, find a relaxation regime that works |
| the first thing to do if you feel overwhelmed. Often | | | | for you and you enjoy. This might be meditation, |
| the feeling of being overwhelmed happens because | | | | yoga, self hypnosis or any practice that helps with |
| you are viewing the two (or more) problems as one. | | | | stress release will be more than helpful. You can learn |
| You then may start to think and say that everything | | | | meditation from books or cds. Likewise self hypnosis |
| is wrong with your life and even good news may be | | | | can be easy to enjoy from an appropriately titled self |
| turned into negative news.So start by keeping the | | | | hypnosis cd.Above all else, be kind to yourself. |
| problems (unless they are genuinely connected) | | | | |