06 Nov Depressed? Be Gentle & Kind to Yourself
Almost 43% of persons with severe depressive symptoms reported serious difficulties in work, home, and social activities. Symptoms may include fatigue, irritability, distraction, loss of sex drive, hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide.
Depression lifts eventually for most people. It feels heavy and is exhausting, but you don’t have to be afraid of it.
Get Curious
When does depression hit for you? Is it seasonal, tied to overwork, anniversary of a death, or is there disconnection in a relationship? Knowing what is triggering depression is a first step.
Depression is a message from our bodies and psyche that we need to slow down for a moment. Interestingly, there can be great insight gained when we quiet and listen to the impact that the pace of our life and the quality of our relationships are having on us.
Be gentle and kind to yourself so that you can get back to feeling like yourself sooner. Specifically, this is not the time to berate yourself for not getting over it quick enough or for being too tired and slow. It can be especially hard if you’re typically a high-functioning, go-go-go person.
Practice Being Gentle & Kind to Depression
- Self-Compassion: Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend. When you are depressed, it’s easy to slip into old, familiar criticisms of yourself (too lazy, too forgetful, too out of shape, blah, blah). Please stop that dialogue.
- Mindfulness Meditation: Meditate for 5-10 minutes a day before you take a shower (yes, take that shower), this will help with focus and mood. Learn to observe your thoughts instead of obsessing. Try an app like Calm or Headspace.
- Journal: Write whatever you want for as little or as long as you want. Get those worries and feelings onto the page. Don’t worry about grammar. Just write. Do it again the next day if you feel like it. The act of writing your feelings helps you to get them out of your head. Thoughts are materialized instead of hanging around inside like ghosts.
- Nap: Set a timer so you don’t sleep the day away. Get some extra rest. Your brain and body are tired.
Seek Connection
- Exercise: Get moving in whatever way feels manageable to you. Walk, bike, hike, jump rope outside or at a gym so you’re around others. Research has proven time and time again that exercise is a successful method for decreasing symptoms of depression.
- Get together with a Friend: You may not feel like socializing a lot right now. Don’t isolate yourself completely. A lunch or a movie with someone who cares about you makes a difference even if the difference is just a break from your depression.
- Find a Therapist: An objective person that can listen, support and guide without telling you to “think positive” or “snap out of it” can be very healing. A therapist can help you practice new techniques and be present while you process life events that are at the root of your sadness or grief so that you can get back to being you.
- Consult with a Psychiatrist: If talk therapy, exercise, meditation and activities that used to bring you joy just aren’t lifting the depression, anti-depressants may bring the relief you need to get back to being you. Your use of medication may be short or long-term. You can make that decision based on your individual needs.
You Aren’t Alone
Finally, know that you are not alone. Approximately, 8% of Americans, 12 and over, had moderate or severe depressive symptoms in the past 2 weeks. Nearly half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Both of which are highly treatable.
I am here to help either by starting therapy or helping you with a referral. Call or email me to schedule a 30-minute consultation via the phone or in person.
Kate Murphy, LMSW
Kate Murphy, a therapist in Chamblee, GA, specializes in helping you decrease stress and anxiety. You can live a more balanced, connected, and meaningful life. Kate works with individuals and couples over the age of 18 to support healing, communicating, and experiencing joy more often.
For more information:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): www.adaa.org
National Institute of Mental Health – Depression: www.nimh.nih.gov
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