DEPRESSION
Coming Back to Life
Signs of Depression:
- Fatigue: lack of energy for basic functioning
- Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions
- Hopelessness: the future looks bleak
- Worthlessness: frequent fault finding
- Isolating self: avoiding social contact
- Sleep disturbance: difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Escape into addiction (drugs, alcohol, sex, TV, exercise, etc.)
- Loss of interest in or ability to experience pleasure
Options for Relieving Depression:
- Get moving! Stretch, walk, run, help out: use those muscles.
- Eat well: lots of fruits, veggies & whole grains, little fat and salt.
- Reach out: call, talk, walk, hang out with others.
- Practice Pleasure!
- Make a growing list of things you love to do.
- Do at least one "sure thing" every day.
- Try a new one at least once a week.
- Track your thoughts: replace negative with positive.
- Make your anger productive: change what needs to change.
- Face fear: what might happen? How would you cope?
- Do what you fear and the fear will disappear!!!
- Comfort sadness: do what helps in letting go of your losses.
- Steer clear of negative people.
- Make choices! What do you really want? Go for it.
- Get help. Talk to a counselor. Consider medication.
- Make a list of other ways to help myself:
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