Ways to Lift Depression

Depression is a serious illness. Everyone gets sad occasionally, but depression involves an overwhelming feeling of sadness loss, or despair that does not go away quickly. Depression is a common disorder marked by feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, loss of interest in activities and, sometimes, thoughts of suicide or violence. If you suffer from depression, there are things you can do to lift those feelings and come out from under the depression cloud.

Medical Treatment

• People who suffer from depression should seek medical advice and assistance. Doctors can prescribe anti-depressant medications, such as Zoloft or Lexapro, to normalize the chemicals in the brain that cause feelings of depression. Some antidepressants carry a risk of side effects, such as headaches, nausea or drowsiness. In children and adolescents, they have also been known to increase thoughts of suicide.
  Talk therapy, either in individual or group sessions, can also work to improve depression symptoms. Through therapy, patients can discuss what bothers them and learn coping mechanisms to deal with depressive episodes when they arise. Often, for mild cases of depression, psychotherapy can be the only treatment needed. Some people may need to participate in therapy sessions for a few weeks, while others may continue ongoing therapy appointments for a lifetime in order to manage their depression symptoms.

Exercise and Activity

• Engaging in exercise can improve your overall health, including your mental health. Finding an exercise you enjoy can mean that you take time for yourself, provide yourself with a healthier lifestyle and increase your endorphins (which will make you feel happier). Try a relaxing activity like yoga or Pilates or something more upbeat like aerobics. Joining a gym or workout class can also benefit you by providing you with a social outlet.
  Other activities you enjoy can also help you get over your depressive episodes. Going to the movies, taking time to read a good book or signing up for a class to learn a new skill can give you a chance to focus on enjoying the time you spend in that activity. You can meet new people who share your interests and give yourself a reason to get out of the house, too.

Social Support

• Relying on the people who care about you is one way to battle depression symptoms. Though during a depressive episode you may be tempted to withdraw from others, you should seek out social interaction to improve your symptoms. Family and friends can help you remember to do the things you enjoy and provide a listening ear when you need to talk through your problems, so do not shut them out if you want to lit your depressive symptoms.