What to Do in the Throws of Depression?

Depression is a feeling of being unhappy or disinterested in most things of life. This can happen to most people when they go through heartbreaking events in life. Being downcast and lethargic at some point in life does not constitute depression. Clinical depression is a condition in which these feelings become so powerfully and overwhelming that you need medical intervention. A person is also said to be in a state of depression or in the throws of depression when his morose mental condition gets in the way of day-to-day activities.

Getting Help

• If you are experiencing depression, get help immediately as often it may be difficult to resolve clinical or severe depression on your own. Just as there is no one type of individual, there is no single, one-size-fits-all line of treatment for someone with symptoms of depression, but in most cases getting some type of medical help either in the form of medication or talk therapy can help you escape from the throws of depression.

Medication

• Many scientists believe clinical depression is caused by lower-than-normal levels of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. Therefore, one common line of treatment for those experiencing depression is to administer patients antidepressants that will raise the levels of these chemicals. There are many different antidepressants on the market from Paxil to Prozak, and you'll need to speak with your doctor to find out which, if any, is the right treatment to help you escape the throws of depression. Typically, it can take several weeks for the drugs to become effective at helping you to feel less depressed as it takes time for the chemical levels to build up in the body, so this may not be a quick fix. However, if you find yourself feeling depressed often, this type of treatment may provide long-term solutions.

Other Options

• Talk therapy is another option when you are in the throws of depression. Some believe this is a more effective method of dealing with depression than drugs. A skilled counselor can help you become more positive and help you learn to cope with your feelings of depression. Patients are typically encouraged to involve themselves in what they like doing best. Some may find solace in spirituality, religion, family, friends or community. A strong sense of bonding with people you like goes a long way towards helping you move through a depressive state. Cognitive behavior therapy is a related option, but this type of therapy is more focused on learning to adjust your behavior responses to activities or situations that cause your depression. In cognitive behavior therapy, you learn to alter your behavior and reactions to help avoid a depressive response.

  Others may find that recreational physical activities like sports can alleviate depression. Exercise has been demonstrated to increase serotonin levels in the brain and help alleviate depression. Yoga is now considered a realistic alternative to medical intervention for depression. In 2005, professors from the Columbia College of Physicians published a study entitled "Surdarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing In the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety and Depression." This study demonstrated that deep breathing is proven to reduce stress and depression levels without acting harshly on the neurological system in the way anti-depressants do. A relatively new breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya is known to be highly effective in inducing feelings of cheerfulness and inner calm. Practicing this technique can help you feel better when you are in the throws of depression and may provide both short- and long-term relief.