Preventing and Treating Depression

Dealing with depression can be extremely difficult, for those who are afflicted with the disorder and for those around them. Daily tasks can become overwhelming during depressive episodes, and to the depressed person can be almost impossible to complete. However, there are ways to proactively manage your life during a depressive episode, and prevent episodes of depression from occurring.

Diagnosis
One of the most vital steps to dealing with depression is getting the proper diagnosis. There are a number of mental disorders, such a bipolar disorder, that mask themselves as depression - causing the disorder to go undiagnosed for years. Tell your physician all your symptoms and behaviors, including how you behaved prior to and during your depressive cycle.

Medication
Finding the correct medication and the correct dosage is the most difficult step when treating depression. Once you and your physician are able to find this balance it is essential you stay on the prescribed regimen until you both feel the depression has lifted - which can take a few months to years. On many occasions, individuals with depression tend to stop taking their prescriptions once they start feeling better both mentally and physically causing the depression to return. However, this is a difficult process for many because it can take months to see the results of prescription treatment.

Setting a Schedule
Creating a routine creates a sense of balance, and can effectively be a part of proactively managing depression. Depression is triggered by states of imbalance - ranging from seasonal, stress, the feeling of being overwhelmed, mental and physical exhaustion, are other symptoms. In addition to creating a sense of balance, schedules make tasks manageable on the most mentally and physically overwhelming days.

In addition to setting a schedule, making a list of your daily tasks can add additional benefit. During a depressive episode, it prevents you from feeling overwhelmed. Instead of thinking everything has to get done, and there is no way to accomplish your daily tasks, you will get a sense of achievement when you are able to cross a daily task off of the list. Also, maintaining a schedule can keep depressive episodes from returning.

Depending on the degree of depression, the level of scheduling can vary. For those with a mild form less structure may be needed, but for those who experience extreme depression schedules may be more rigid to maintain a high level of balance in their daily activities.

Exercise
Even for those who do not have depression, exercise it essential to maintaining physical and mental health. Exercise triggers the release of healthy endorphins into the body - triggering a feeling of health and well-being. Also, exercise does not have to be a difficult workout routine. A 15 minute walk every day can have a significant impact on an individual's health, and some exercise is better than none at all.

Diet
One of the most noticeable changes a person with depression will make prior to an episode is a change in eating habits. During a depressive episode an individual may eat significantly more or less than usual, and will usually resort to "comfort foods." By giving into these changes, your body will not get the nutrients it needs to function properly and will perpetuate and even increase the level of depression. Instead of giving into these changes, consciously think about your meal and food choices, and eat balanced meals even if you do not feel like it.

The Home Environment
Depressive episodes are characterized with feelings of lethargy and low energy, both physically and mentally. Those with depression tend to let their home reflect their mental state. Often their homes will be darkened by drawing the blinds to create a physical separation between them and the outside world. Also, it may range from being messy to filthy. By opening the blinds, letting light in, and cleaning a little each day, can raise your mental state.

Stay in Motion
Depression is characterized by lethargy and low energy, but it is also perpetuated by it. By getting up and moving a little more each day, your body will start gaining momentum and eventually begin releasing healthy hormones and endorphins. Whatever you do, do not allow yourself to sleep or isolate yourself from others all day or for days on end.

Isolation is another key characteristic of depression - often those who are working can function long enough to disguise their depression to others at work, but isolate themselves once they are home. Instead of isolating yourself (or surfing the internet to talk to people) actively go out and interact with others - by going to the park, volunteering, or other activities that you may enjoy.