Prolonged stress and anxiety can lead to severe bouts of depression. There may be several factors that contribute to the illness. You may have high levels of stress from a job, a recent divorce, or loss of income. Maintaining good mental health is essential not just to help you navigate situations like these, but throughout your entire life.
Warning Signs of Depression
When depression comes, it hits hard. It robs you of energy, leaving you feeling lethargic, hopeless, irritable, unfocused, and forgetful. Severe depression can affect your judgment, making you more likely to engage in dangerous habits like drugs and alcohol. The up and down swings of emotions can also put you at risk for suicide.
Controlling Depression
Millions of Americans live with depression. Some use prescribed drugs to help keep their emotions stable and reduce the effects of depression. Others use therapy and TMS to control the disorder. “What is TMS for Depression,” you ask? In simple terms, it’s a procedure that’s noninvasive. A specialist uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain’s nerve cells in order to stabilize moods, resulting in reduced symptoms.
Living with the Disorder
Living life in a hopeless and negative state of mind is not healthy. If you have severe clinical depression, each day presents new challenges. You ride a continuous tidal wave of emotions. One minute you feel down in the dumps and the next, you have an excessive, uncontrollable amount of energy. Knowing what to expect and how to handle the symptoms as they occur will allow you to sustain a better quality of life.
Dealing with Events
No life is perfect. Everyone will encounter good and bad days and events that are out of their control. When something comes along that causes stress and anxiety, deal with it head-on. Finding solutions to each problem as they happen will prevent you from becoming depressed.
Remain Positive
People who live with depression go through life with their glass half empty instead of half full. When something goes wrong, they immediately think of gloom and doom. If you have the disorder, try to think positive thoughts. For example, you plan a day at the park and it starts to rain. Instead of becoming upset, change your plans and go to a museum or something else indoors. It’s also in your best interest to refrain from spending time with those who are negative.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
Having too much on your plate can bring about depression. Instead of trying to do everything at once, make a schedule, and fill in slots. This way you’ll have the time you need to complete tasks on time.
Self-Care
Many people have hearts of gold. They help others ahead of themselves. While it’s an excellent trait, you also need to take care of yourself. You are the most important person in your life. You love your family, but you need to tend to your needs, too. Find something you enjoy doing and do it. Once a week, for a few hours, having time dedicated to you will make you feel alive, helping to suppress feelings of depression.
Set Achievable Goals
Creating timelines that are too short will lead you back to a depressed state of mind. Instead, assess the situation and come up with a timeline that’s achievable. If you achieve the goal sooner, good for you. Some examples include losing weight, buying a home, and saving a sum of money.
Listen to Music
When you listen to music you enjoy, you immediately go to a cheerful place in your mind. You hum and tap your feet. When you feel depression coming your way, put on your favorite tunes, and feel the positive energy surface.
Your mental state affects every aspect of your life. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce the symptoms and experience a good quality of life.