|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

Self-Management Therapy for Depression

Self-management is an important coping and recovery resource for anyone suffering from a mental illness or any chronic condition. You will work with your health care providers to determine the proper treatment plan based on your needs. Self-managing your depression requires you to be knowledgeable about your condition, dedicated to managing your health and hopeful about your recovery.

  1. Self-Assessment

    • According to the article "Self-Management: Taking Charge of Your Health" on FamilyDoctor.org, the first step to self-managing your illness is to accurately assess your lifestyle. For those struggling with depression, it may seem that all aspects of your life are out of your control. With support from a therapist, close friend, family member or spiritual adviser, you can pinpoint one element of your life that you feel is contributing to your feelings of depression and make a plan to change that element. For example, inactivity can contribute to the symptoms of depression. Although you may feel as though you lack the energy to exercise, keep in mind that a 20-minute walk may clear your head and lift your spirits. In addition to making a plan, you also need to come up with ways to implement that plan in your life. Be specific about the steps you'll take to meet your goal and what you should do in case of setbacks. If you've gotten comfortable with your walking routine, for example, what will you do if you face bad weather? By making realistic assessments of your health and the ways you can prevent your symptoms from re-occurring, you'll be better able to manage your health and plan your treatment.

    Dedication

    • Another important step in the self-management of depression is dedication, according to the article "Setting Realistic Goals to Overcome Depression" on the OvercomeDepression.co.uk website. When managing your depression, you'll need the dedication to keep trying to improve your health and your mental state. By assessing your mental health status, coming up with realistic goals to improve your health and dedicating yourself to implementing your goals, you'll be many steps closer to effectively managing your condition. Be realistic about your dedication. Because you suffer from depression, know that there will be days when you experience setbacks, frustration or even hopelessness. Challenge your negative thoughts and feelings with thoughts that bolster your confidence. Seek advice and support from your mental health provider. In many cases, the setbacks you're experiencing have happened to a number of people before, and there may be proven techniques to overcome them.

    Support

    • Although self-management puts you at the forefront of managing your illness, remember that you don't have to manage your illness alone. Work with your mental health professionals and inform them of the ways that you're dealing with your depression. Ask for help and guidance from those around you whom you trust. For many, struggling with depression can be a lonely and overwhelming endeavor, but it doesn't have to be. Your loved ones want to see you get better and know that the road to recovery is not a direct path. Rely on those around you when times get particularly tough, and remember that your illness is not a weakness. You also can seek out online support groups and information to help you continue to manage your depression.

Depression - Related Articles