How to Beat Depression for Good

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, depression is one of the major causes of disability throughout the world. About 15 million U.S. residents experience major depression each year. Even though there is no official medical cure, some people are able to beat depression by changing aspects of their life and following through with treatment.

Instructions

Overcoming Depression

• 1

  Seek out help from a professional mental health counselor to help understand your depression. Several kinds of therapy can help you beat depression over time, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

• 2

  If prescribed, take psychiatric prescription medications regularly. Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications such as Celexa, Zoloft and Lexapro are all effective treatments. These medications can help get the symptoms of depression under control while you work on making the changes and improvements needed to put you on a healthier path.

• 3

  Obtain social support by talking with friends, family members and even support group members about how you want to beat depression. Attend support group meetings. The encouragement you receive from these individuals can help with your motivation, mood and self-esteem, but being surrounded by others can help beat feelings of loneliness.

• 4

  Practice relaxation techniques daily to achieve a sense of calm. Relaxation techniques include meditation sessions, progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises. Some of the benefits of practicing these techniques include a lower blood pressure, heart rate, reduced irritability and improved concentration.

• 5

  Seek out alternative therapies. Alternative therapies that are used around the world include acupuncture, yoga and massage therapy.

• 6

  Become more active by taking up hobbies, exercising and spending time outdoors. Hiking, jogging, walking and biking are all activities that improve the overall body and can help improve your outlook on life.

• 7

  Practice positive-self talk to help overcome feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness. Using positive self-talk and "I" statements can help you calm down, regain control and improve your thought process when confronted with challenges.