What Is The Likelihood Of Your Depression Returning?

We all get depressed from time to time, don't we? It's pretty normal to get nostalgic or extremely sad when we make major life changes or encounter personal problems, illness and death in the family. The factors causing depression will always be there, no matter what we do. We cannot be happy 100% of the time as it is. Even the strongest-willed individual on earth can break down and cry. Nobody can keep us from getting into a depressive state when circumstances so warrant. We will just have to cope with depression effectively every time we feel "the blues" in order to reduce the impact on our relationships and general well-being.

Some Means Of Coping With Depression

There are different ways we can fight the blues or even use depression to improve our lives and the lives of other people. I would like to share a few that are working well for me:

• Keep a journal. Writing allows me to channel my feelings into something that is not destructive. It makes me feel good to write my thoughts down without having to worry about grammar or sentence structure. Try the same technique. You can write a poem about your feelings, and who knows, you may even want to publish it later.


• Do something nice, whether it's to yourself or to others. Treat yourself to something nice and fancy. Consider getting a new haircut - looking different helps to boost your confidence. Buy ice cream for a little child, or a complete meal for the beggar down the street. Doing these things help to make you feel loads better.


• Relax. See a movie or read a good book. Try Sophie Kinsella's books - they never fail to make me laugh.


• Take up a new hobby. Try cooking, juggling or playing crossword puzzles or anything at all that will occupy your mind.

Clinical Depression

But I'd like to point out that there is a more serious type of depression, and that's clinical depression. Clinical depression is a major depressive disorder that requires professional treatment usually through psychotherapy or medications or both. This type of depression may be triggered by genetics, physical and emotional abuse, medications, and essentially the same factors that cause simple depression. This type of depression has the tendency to recur if not treated properly.

To Reduce Chances of Depression Recurring

• Get professional treatment. Clinical depression is very serious; self-medication will only serve to make it worse. Consult a specialist in order to be treated appropriately with psychotherapy or medications or a combination of both. And do what you are told to do. If you are given medications, don't reduce or increase the dosage without your doctor's advice.


• Take vitamin supplements. The lack of Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12, as well as Vitamins C and D, has been linked to increased incidence of depression. Making sure you have enough supply of these essential vitamins may help prevent the recurrence of mood disorders.


• Exercise. Exercising regularly releases chemicals in the brain that are responsible in improving mood and reducing anxiety. Brisk walking for 30 minutes early in the morning is always a good idea.


• Make wise food choices. I know, it happens so often that when we are depressed we tend to rely on comfort foods, but these only make us better for a little while. Eating right will help you deal with depression a lot better. Try nuts - they have Omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to brain health and development. Foods rich in B-vitamins, especially folic acid, make great choices, too.

Well, of course, you don't have to wait for the last minute to do any of these things. Except for the first advice, the rest of the tips can nonetheless help improve your general well being in many ways, even if you have not had or are not at risk for developing a major depressive disorder.