When the pages of a psychologist’s dictionary unfold, the first word that would strike anyone’s eyes is depression. The word has gained enough momentum for quite some time given the fact that majority of people of all ages across the globe suffer from depression, which is more or less a state of mind and not a disease.
Friends, while human brain is made out of nerves, his/her mind is made out of n number of emotions. When there are fluctuations in those emotions, a person tends to feel low. However, if he/she continues to be in that low state then it is said that a person is suffering from depression.
Though depression is not life-threatening, it will certainly hamper the regular activities of a person and also the professional graph. Feeling hopelessness, feeling that there are no solutions to the problems are some of the symptoms of depression.
There are basically two types of depression—clinical depression and psychotic depression. As mentioned earlier, feelings associated with hopelessness and helplessness come under clinical depression. Psychotic depression—on the other hand—is an advanced stage of clinical depression and requires immediate medical attention.
Getting rid of clinical depression is a natural process that just requires a little bit of your patience, cooperation and time. You need not visit a doctor and go for medication if you have general depression. Just follow these tips that will supposedly bring you out of depression.
Difficulty Level: Moderately challenging
Time required: It cannot be achieved overnight. It is a constant exercise and depends from person to person.
Estimated cost: You need not spend even a penny to get rid of the depression if it is not alarming. However, if your depression is associated with psychotic symptom such as delusions and hallucinations then you have to visit a psychiatrist. Nonetheless, you may also visit a counselor if you are feeling hopeless and think there are no alternatives to your problems. A counselor will charge you minimum for every session lasting about 40 minutes.
Resources required: You absolutely require no extra resources. All that is needed is your will-power and constant effort to search out for solutions to your problems. After all, there are always alternatives.
Instructions:
1. Examine your lifestyle:
It is always advisable to follow a simple and a decent life style. Entering into illicit relationships, working too much and establishing long-term goals are among the most common causes of depression.
2. Make positive changes in your lifestyle:
Not to forget when we talk of lifestyle is the eating habit. You should maintain strict diet. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, drug abuse, tobacco chewing are also factors that cause depression. It is advisable for people to exercise regularly. Exercise not only keeps the body fit but also the mind. There is a medical reason behind it. When you stretch your body, brain will release certain chemicals that act as anti-depressants.
Second important thing is the sleep. Insomniacs and people with irregular sleep are the ones who are prone to depression. Never ever compromise on your sleep that should be at least seven hours a day.
Thirdly, it is no harm in releasing your emotions by expressing them to your friends. It is not advisable to suffer in silence. Share your problems with your near and dear ones. You may find solutions to your own problems when you speak out to them.
3. Take vitamin B12:
Taking B vitamin suppliments can sometime get rid off the depression temporarily. So, try taking B12 vitamin pills such as Omega-3, Ginseng and St. John’s Wort. B 12 supplements have no side- effects like anti-depressant drugs. So, you need not pause and ponder to take it.
4. Replenish your Sam-E (S-adenosylmethionine) levels:
Sam-E chemical compound that is released in the body will be helpful in maintaining emotional balance. When these levels are dropped then it result in mood swings and depression. You can approach your local drug store and take 400 MG supplement daily. You may seek the advice of the chemist, though there is no side affect for this drug also.
Frequently asked questions:
Antidepressant medication is usually prescribed to help combat severe depression. How effective is it?
Antidepressants are mostly effective. But, you are advised not to go for medication if you have general depression. Only when you develop feelings of suicide without any reason, you can approach a doctor and take anti-depressants. These rugs trigger the neurotransmitters that are in the brain. When neurotransmitters are triggered they boost serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine levels that correct emotional imbalance.
Depending on your condition, the doctor chooses between n number of antidepressants that are available in the market. Usually it takes minimum six weeks for the result. In case, if you see no result in six weeks despite using antidepressants you are advised to revisit the doctor. You should never take antidepressants without consulting a doctor. If you do so, you would only be playing with your golden life.
Quick tips:
Paint your bed room walls with light colors. Open your windows to let sun light and fresh air enter the room. Maintain a balanced diet and keep yourselves away from boozing and fagging. Speak out your mind to your friends or family members when you have a problem. Go for an early morning walk in the woods and look at the sun that plays hide and seed as you walk along the woods. Remember that the nature treats everyone the same. It has got so, so much to offer in the days to come. All that one needs is the patience. Try to exercise regularly. If you have got no time for exercise, then at least stretch your body everyday. Keep yourselves away from bitching. Always follow the path of morals, ethics and try to speak truth always. It gives a lot of satisfaction and builds up a strong character. Each time you fail in your attempt to achieve something, never think that you can’t do it. Remember the words of Swami Vivekananda, who rightly said ‘Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.’ Try to establish short-term goals. When you accomplish those targets, the happiness that you get can’t be told in words. Try to offer bread or biscuit to the little abandoned kids, who are found on footpaths and at traffic signals. Meditation is one of the best methods to keep yourselves away from depression.
Things to watch out for:
Guys, remember that you have got every reason to be happy. Why should some reason or the other grab your happiness? If you have lost something from one door, there is always something else that would be coming in from the other door. Love and spread love. Be happy and see happiness in people around you.