Mission Peak UU Congregation
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Mission Peak's Spiritual Portrait

What Can the Depressed Person Do? *

Depression is one of the most treatable of mental illnesses. Here are things that can be done to treat and limit the effects of depression. They have worked for others.

  • Psychotherapy with a therapist trained to know how to discover and deal with psychological problem areas.
  • Effective medication in an effective dosage prescribed by a psychiatrist. Other kinds of doctors may not know the latest in depression medications.
  • Exercise. Elevate the heart rate for 15-30 minutes a day, with your doctor's permission. Examples: walking, jogging, aerobics, swimming.
  • Meditation. 15-60 minutes of quiet listening to your heartbeat and breathing.
  • Yoga postures. Especially inversion postures.
  • Eat a good solid balanced diet.
  • No alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and often interferes with anti-depressant medication.
  • Little or no caffeine.
  • Avoid getting over fatigued. Get plenty of rest. If you can't sleep, ask your doctor for something to help you sleep.
  • Avoid getting over-committed in time to any activity or activities, so that you feel overwhelmed. Learn how to say "No" and not feel guilty. Learn how to "let it go" when things start to pile up and threaten to overwhelm you.
  • Learn how to recognize warning signs of a coming depressive spell and take immediate action to head it off or minimize it. Involve your family so they can recognize onset of a depressive episode and help you.
  • Indulge in some creative activity. ex: music, drawing, painting, crafts, creative writing, weaving.
  • Do something to make you laugh, cry, or get angry in a safe place. Example: watch a sad movie and cry.
  • Join a depression support group.
  • Help someone else, especially someone with problems similar to yours.
  • Learn how to love yourself as an individual, spiritually and creatively. There is no one else on Earth quite like you.
  • Read and learn all you can about depression.

* Disclaimer: These suggestions are not professional medical advice, just things that have worked for real people living with depression and their families.

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