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Ways to Cope With Depression

According to the Public Broadcasting System, depression is a disease that affects nearly 15 million Americans. If you are experiencing depression symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, fatigue or excess anxiety, then you aren't alone. You can cope with you depression using methods approved by your health care provider to help you to feel like yourself again.

  1. Coping Plan

    • Before you can begin to deal with your depression, you should make a coping plan that you can follow when you feel the onset of depression symptoms. Try to discover some of the things that trigger your depression, whether it's job issues, anxiety, lack of sleep or feeling unloved. Once you've identified the triggers, you can make a plan to deal with them. For instance, if your trigger is due to body image, then you can cope by making sure that you get regular exercise. If your trigger is lack of sleep, you can aim to get eight hours per night. Write down the things that you would like to accomplish and different ideas on how to achieve them. When you have it on paper, read it often to affirm your plan.

    Journal

    • A journal can help with coping with depression. It allows an outlet for you to vent about your depression symptoms and feelings. This can help relieve some of the tension that builds up from dealing with depression---especially if you're fighting the battle alone.

    Support Group

    • A support group can help you find a forum where you can talk about your depression with others in similar mental states. A depression support group is a safe area, where each member has been through some degree of depression, and talking about every aspect of it isn't taboo. Through your group members, you can find common bonds that allow you to feel as though you are part of a community of people like yourself. Talking about your depression and all of the symptoms and problems that come with it can help, as well as hearing about coping tactics that have worked for other members. Find a support group through the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

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