As we keep saying, telling the person to 'just cheer up' doesn't work. So, what does work? There is a lot of information contained in the links on the following page. For a very brief summary, read below for recommendations from the National Institutue of Mental Health guide on depression, they strongly encourage seeking professional help, attending therapy and taking medication as prescribed by your physician.
Depression is not cured over night, and in the meantime, they recommend the following :
- Break large tasks into small ones and do what you can
- Being with other people and confiding in someone usually helps compared to trying to handle depression on your own
- Mild exercise - going for walks, playing softball, aerobics, walking on the treadmill at the Diabetes Fitness center are all good examples
- Go to the movies or a ball game
- Go to church, a family dinner, a pow-wow or other social activity. While people who are depressed don't feel like going anywhere, sitting home alone is actually less likely to help than getting out of the house and getting involved in some activity.
- Don't make major decisions, such as divorce, moving or quitting a job without discussing it with significant others. When you are depressed you are not at your best as far as decision-making.
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Links on Depression and Other Mood Disorders |