7 Things To Ease Depression

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Permalink Reply by amanda on June 19, 2009 at 3:41pm

Hmm... I've got to be honest - this list pushes my buttons. It irks me. While, I think the list has some great ideas for living well I'm not sure they would work in easing Depression? These suggestions sound exactly like what my parents suggest when they think I'm feeling a bit down. "Remember we care about you!" and "think of all the people who have it so much worse than you do!" or just "Smile!"

I feel like, when what someone is feeling is actual clinical Depression and not just "in a funk" or "feeling blue" - these "remedies" can feel more like cruel jokes. Here is an article that mentions the difference between Depression and normal stress/sadness I wonder if the creators of this list mean the latter instead of the former?

I can't help but think, for example, If someone can barely get out of bed - how could buying a plant fix that? While bright lights do tend to brighten our moods (why so many of use are feeling blah lately - due to the rain) - it's simply not enough. Lots of people find solace in exercise or even prayer/religious practice - but when it's actually Depression (capital D) I think it takes actual therapy and possibly medication. Hmm.

Number 5 is probably the one I agree most with because it alludes to the same idea as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (which you've mentioned in this post). However, it's very difficult for someone who is depressed to "fix" themselves. While I do believe that some people choose to be negative or pessimistic sometimes - I don't believe anyone would ever choose to be Depressed. I really have a feeling the creators of this list couldn't be talking about Depression because the remedies are so easy. Maybe that's why this list is called things to ease Depression and not help/cure it?

I feel like sometimes 4. "think of a time when you were happy" is actually what adds a layer of guilt on top of the depression. It's exactly like a puppy behind the glass at a pet store - it can see all of these friendly people and wants SO much to be with them - but he can't get out and be with them. Seeing or thinking of "happiness" can feel like you're just being teased.

Anyway, I think this is a really great website that explains more about what Depression feels like and what is depression vs what is not.

Thanks for making me think, John! I'd be curious to know if anyone out there has successfully eased their depression with things on this list or others. I know that there are many people out there (on the internet and beyond) that claim diet & exercise really can 'cure' depression. But it's my understanding that there is something tied to body chemicals, brain function, childhood, genetics, and environment that causes mental illness. It's something the medical community itself is still deciding upon and working to get to the bottom of.

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Permalink Reply by John on June 19, 2009 at 4:20pm

Thanks for the reply, Amanda!

I definitely agree that none of these steps can actually cure Depression. I think they are ways to improve one's mood and decrease the symptoms of Depression.

Anything that takes your mind off of negative thinking can ease symptoms of Depression, for self-criticism is common in those suffering from the illness.

I also think it is interesting to look at how Depression differs from sadness, for there are biochemical differences occuring in the brain.

Like you said, I don't think there is anything on this list that can cure Depression. But I do think these activities can lift someone's mood and perhaps take away some of the pain.

I particularly agree with number 6 in that having something living in your home will make you feel more alive. Ever since I got my own dog I have noticed my mood increasing. It makes you feel like you have purpose in life and that you have something to take care of. It makes you feel like you are loved when the negative feelings inside tell you that you're not.

Overall, the list is quite simplistic and doesn't take into account the fact that feelings of Depression will return no matter what you do.

It would be great if Depression could be cured just by asking God, wouldn't it? I'm sure a lot of people would have given him a call by now if that was the case.

I think the list is a good way to lighten your mood and perhaps escape a negative cycle of thinking, which would be a good habit for someone with Depression to adapt. I think their quality of life would increase despite still being Depressed.

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Permalink Reply by amanda on June 23, 2009 at 10:37am

Great points, John. (I can totally see how your dog makes you feel more alive!! Eee.)

I think if there were a way to 'stop' depression before it starts - this list is a great way to go. Personally, I feel like depression can 'come out of nowhere' and just get deeper and deeper as opposed to starting light and being fixable. But because everyone is different - maybe there is a way to rearrange your life to help yourself stay happy and healthy. And maybe you can lift yourself out of sadness and stay there.

My dad always is a big advocate of doing community service or volunteer-work when you need to change your perspective on life. I think it really helped him when he was going through tough times to be able to help others. Service often surrounds you with others who often have a completely different way of life and often have found amazing ways to cope. This might inspire you to rethink your ways of coping. Of course, being around those who are suffering is not necessarily going to make you feel better - but sometimes it can.

I supposed it's something you will have to figure out on your own and judge as you go along. Sometimes hearing a story about how someone survived and made it through a tough event can make you feel better by giving you hope. And remind you that life goes on and there are things to be thankful for. And other times it can make you feel guilty that you feel sad (when you haven't experienced the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or something like that). And, of course, even service cannot fix you - because it's difficult to get everything out of helping someone if you are struggling to help yourself.

It is my personal hope that through our discussions and blogs on WEGO Health that we can get the word out that - just because you are depressed does not mean you have something 'wrong' with you or that you are purposely choosing sorrow and pain. It's certainly time that the stigmas around mental illness are dissolved as they are outdated and hurtful to those who have dealt and continue to deal with them.

Thanks for offering an alternative perspective to the usual therapy and medication remedy. :)

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Permalink Reply by meisha on July 29, 2009 at 9:58pm

Hello... just finished reading your seven things to ease depression. I'm new to to this group, have never joined an on-line group. I'm on two anti-depressants and also Abilify, still am suffering from serious depression and seeing a therapist. You're activities are fine in theory (I have said many prayers and talked alot to God), but with serious depression, a person is so very tired they can hardly move and cannot get out and walk fifteen minutes, cannot go be with someone who loves them (mother) because that person does not know how horrible you feel because it would worry them too much and they have their own health problems, I have alot of plants and they don't seem to make me feel more alive. I can see no "light at the end of the tunnel", every day I wake up and its the same, I've tried.....really.

Thank you for sharing your ideas. You did ask, What do you think? Do these activities usually work?, I believe they do not work, except if your suffering from a mild depression that lasts a couple weeks, not severe depression.

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