In 2016, the National Institute of Mental Health revealed that the U.S. alone had 16.2 million adults who had encountered at least one major depressive episode in 2016. Depression has become pandemic; it is more common than we think and also much more dangerous; it can cause more difficult mental problems and provoke suicide.
However, with grit, determination, and the right support, depression can be tackled. If you have continually battled depression for some time, this article answers the critical question – how to overcome depression? Is a must-read for you. Here are some tips on what you need to do.
Recognize the Problem and Accept It
For most of us, accepting that there is a problem or that we are in depression is the most challenging task. However, if you genuinely want to get rid of the long-lasting sadness or the mood swings that you have frequently been experiencing, you must recognize the problem first and accept it.
Once you accept things for what they are, you will be in a better position to deal with the problem.
Next, do some research on what’s causing the problem. Anything could lead to depression – family problems, professional issues, unhappy relationships, etc. It is essential to analyze and understand your trigger.
Find a Solution
Once you have established your trigger, the next important thing to do is to solve the problem. If the root cause of your depression is an unhappy marriage, you must either work on the friendship or walk out on the person pushing you to the edge.
If your depression is the result of a lousy job or pressurizing work environment, change your career. The idea is to get rid of the triggers.
Get on the Phone
Those who have successfully battled depression will tell you how capable being around your family and loved ones can be. Depression often stems from staying unheard. Thus, if you feel a depressive episode building up, do not hesitate to reach out to your friends and family members. It is essential to speak to someone you trust and with whom you can be yourself.
Get on a call and speak your heart out. It will certainly help and make you feel better.
Join a Support Group
Those who have battled depression also say that being part of a support group is one of the most effective ways to fight depression. These days, it is quite easy to find support groups on social media platforms. Join various support groups and talk to people who have battled the same issues that you are presently encountering. There are a lot of such groups on Facebook. Moreover, you can find some forums using keywords like “depression support group” or “how to overcome depression – forum.”
However, be careful — social media platforms are also the place where impostors are present in abundance. Thus, when you meet someone who claims to have overcome the problem that you are facing, do not immediately believe them. It is better to check the identity of the person before.
Instead, use a people search website to do some check on the person. We recommend using Spokeo because it is easy to use, and you will have a lot of information at your disposal within seconds. All you need is the person’s phone number, which will be easy to get if you have gotten friendly.
Set up an appointment with a Psychologist
If you have tried everything discussed so far, but your depressive episodes refuse to go, you need professional help, and thus, you must set up an appointment with a psychologist. Your psychologist will most likely recommend therapy. You can find a good psychologist using recommendations of your friends, family, or people from your support group. Also, you can search on LinkedIn, but do not forget to read reviews before hiring such a specialist.
In general, a blend of psychodynamic, interpersonal, and cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to treat patients suffering from depression. In the case of patients with acute symptoms, medication may be prescribed.
Learn to Let Go of Your Thoughts
Many times, our habit of obsessing over thoughts is our biggest trigger. We sit down and keep thinking about things that give us anxiety and make us feel bad about ourselves. If you suffer from depression, you must learn to let go of your thoughts. Take a break from things that cause you to worry or are your triggers. Instead, do something that makes you feel happy.
It is a good idea to listen to relaxing music, read an exciting book, go shopping or tidy up your room. It would help if you didn’t eat much to avoid gaining weight because it can only increase your depression. On the other hand, it is a bad idea to eat nothing, because you won’t achieve energy and also things will get worse.
Take up a Hobby
If you suffer from depression and anxiety, you can benefit immensely from developing a hobby. Undertaking hobbies and creative pursuits allow people to not only divert their attention from things that cause them stress but also will enable them to rediscover their strengths and talents. We recommend trying photography, writing, painting, yoga, dancing, hiking, gardening, and cooking.
Also, you can meet your friends, go to the party or go for a walk in the park or forest. You can even buy a pet and take care of it; such action may also help you to overcome depression.
Key Takeaway
Depression can be conquered with the right strategy and support. Depression is more dangerous than everyone uses to think. If you suffer from anxiety, do not hesitate to reach out for help — the people around us are capable of making a big difference to our battle against depression, psychologists can help too. However, not everyone in this world can be trusted. Stay smart and use a people search website like Spokeo to make sure that the people you are trusting are worthy of your trust.
