If you were recently diagnosed with depression, or you have been feeling unmotivated, down in the dumps, tired, restless, or sad, you might be wondering what are your options to receive help? Many people don’t know where to start in their healing journey and can feel very overwhelmed with what to choose or do. Getting help doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
First, start by finding a licensed counselor. Registered intern counselors or student counselors can be just as good of an option (and cheaper) because they are typically heavily supervised and lean on well-trained clinicians to help guide them through the therapeutic process. Seek a therapist who shares similar value systems. This is especially important if you are religious and want to incorporate your religious beliefs in your counseling. Discover a counselor you feel comfortable being around. If you are a rape victim, being around a person that reminds you of your perpetrator may not be in your best interest.
Ask your therapist if they will assess you for depression and if they will administer The Beck’s Depression Inventory. This inventory assesses your level of depression and allows the counselor to have a deeper understanding of what your depression looks like.
I cannot emphasize this enough; if you are dealing with depression, a consistent exercise routine must be a part of your daily life. The endorphins released by exercise help combat stress and gives your body a dopamine dump. Dopamine is your happy neurotransmitter.
Drink plenty of water and get adequate sleep. Dehydration can cause many problems including depression. Sleep also affects our ability to deal with stress. The more rested we feel, the higher the chances of fighting off depression.
Talk with your doctor and request a full blood panel to make sure a biological origin is not being overlooked. Being low in Vitamin D or B can cause depressive symptoms. Thyroid issues can also cause symptoms of depression. Having the MTHFR mutation can cause depression, anxiety, ADHD and many other problems. Depression can have a biological origin and requesting the proper bloodwork can help.
If an anti-depressant is recommended, then please consider following through with your doctor’s recommendations. These are not drugs that you can start and stop, or skip a day here or there. These are medications that have a great potential to help, but also a great potential to harm, if not taken properly. Think of an anti-depressant like insulin. In diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin. Likewise, when a person is depressed, your body does not “produce enough” or activates the neurotransmitters properly in order to maintain a healthy balance in the brain. Antidepressants help activate your neurotransmitters to work at their fullest potential.
If being on an antidepressant does not feel like the right option for you, then please seek out a homeopathic doctor or a trained herbalist to help balance your body in a more natural way. There are plenty of herbal remedies available that can positively impact depression levels.
Figuring out how to deal with your depression can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Find someone to talk with and get started on your healing journey.
