Management & Treatment of Depression

Depression is different from sadness, stress, anxiety or even grief. It is normal to feel sad or low at times. What distinguishes depression is a combination of factors, including continuously feeling miserable or losing interest in things that you usually enjoy, to the point where you feel you are no longer functioning.

It is important to know you can not just ‘snap’ out of it, nor can you just ‘cheer up’ or ‘get over it’ without help.  Depression will not pass easily if ignored and may get worse, and the longer it continues without help, the more difficult it may be to shift.

Things you can do to help manage depression:

• Talk to a professional: See a doctor or mental health professional who can assess your symptoms and then discuss possible treatments such as talking, therapies and/or medication.

• Talk to a non-professional: Talk with trusted people if this helps to get things ‘out’ rather than bottling things inside.

• Small tasks: Set small tasks so each day you feel you have achieved something

• Small achievements: Remember the things you achieve each day – even the small ones are worth remembering.

• Small good things: Do more of the things that make you feel more positive: listen to music, sit outside, sit quietly in the warmth.

• Exercise: Exercise physically to stimulate endorphins (feel good hormones) in the brain because these can improve your mood and help you cope with stress.

• Get more Information: Get information about the causes and treatments for depression so you can decide what you need.

Things you can do to help someone close to you who is depressed:

• Let them know you care

• Be a presence

• Try not to preach or lecture

• Ask open-ended questions e.g. “how you can help”, "Tell me what you have been doing lately?"

• Give them time to open up to you, don’t push them if they are not ready to talk

• Offer to listen

• Encourage them to see a doctor

• Look after your own wellbeing – it can be easy to get overwhelmed; If you find you are not coping with what they are doing or how they are behaving, seek support for yourself.