More than 300 million people worldwide struggle with depression, but many people still widely misunderstand the issue. Many people think that there is no cure for depression because it is a mental condition. However, there is a greater link between the mind and the body than many realize. The reality is that there is no quick fix for depression. However, even the most severe cases of depression are treatable. Coping with depression can involve a wide range of treatment options.
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, interpersonal therapy, and problem-solving therapy. If past trauma is the cause of your depression, it may also be helpful to look for trauma therapy in NC. This can help address some of the issues that may be triggering the depression.
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.
For many, changing their lifestyle is one of the hardest parts of coping with depression. It is an unfortunate reality that the things that can help with depression are things your depression may make it incredibly challenging to do. Many people find it helpful to just start with an achievable goal like doing one healthy thing a day. Something as simple as just getting out of bed and showering can become a habit that you can build on. Always try to be gentle with yourself, and avoid feeling shame or failure for being incapable of managing all of these lifestyle changes. Living with depression is hard, and learning how to manage it can take time. You may want to work with the therapist at your depression treatment center in NC to come up with strategies that will help you achieve lifestyle changes.
The Willows Can Help
If you are struggling with depression, you do not have to handle it on your own. The Willows at Red Oak Recovery can work with you in our peaceful locale to find the combination of treatments that works best for your unique case. If you are coping with depression alongside other issues like substance abuse or eating disorders, we even have staff who can help you address these conditions. Though recovering from depression takes time, it is possible. Contact us at 855.773.0614 to learn more about the ways we can help.
For women in search of change, recovery, and trauma resolution, transformation begins at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®. Located just south of Asheville, we offer gender-specific, clinically-focused, and trauma-informed care in an environment conducive to healing.