No be oyibo man thing o; How to deal with Depression 1

Suffering from depression means more than just dealing with a bad week or even a bad month. Depression is a weakening condition that can make it impossible for you to enjoy your daily existence. If you are plagued with feelings of overwhelming sadness, loneliness, worthlessness, and cannot imagine that things will get any better, then you may be suffering from depression. If you want to know how to overcome your depression and enjoy your life again, follow these steps:

Part 1 of 3: Understanding Your Depression

1. Recognize that you're suffering from depression. To overcome your depression, you have to first see if you're feeling the symptoms of depression. Though depression is different for every person, there are a few signs that mean that you're having much more than just a bad day. If you think you have depression, see if you're suffering from the following problems:
   

   • If you feel worthless, helpless, or guilty without knowing why.
   • If you're feeling hopeless about most aspects of your life and can't imagine that anything will improve for you.
   • If you feel a decrease in your energy level and are tired no matter what you do.
   • If you feel restless at night and have trouble sleeping and waking up in the morning.
   • If you've stopped feeling pleasure in the events that used to make you happy, such as spending time with friends, pursuing your hobbies, or being intimate.
   • If there has been a dramatic change in your sleeping habits, such as insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping.
   • If you have lost your appetite or are overeating but cannot stop.
   • If it is much easier for you to be alone than to put the effort into interacting with others.
   • If you prefer to be alone than to interact with others.
   • If you constantly feel irritable for no reason.
   • If you have had thoughts of suicide. If you are thinking suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately.

   
   

    
   
2. 
   

   Seek help from a doctor. If you are suffering from serious depression, it is time to see a doctor. Even if you're fixed about not taking anti-depressives or other medications unless it's necessary, talking to a doctor can help you identify some of the medical causes for your depression. You can search for the life-situation causes after you talk to a doctor. Here are some reasons that a doctor may find for your depression:

   • Addiction to drugs or alcohol. If you have a drug or alcohol addiction, then this may be a cause for your depression. A doctor can help you see if you have an addiction and can tell you the next steps.
   • Genetic causes. If depression runs in your family, you are more likely to be depressed. You can discuss whether other people in your family have suffered from depression, even if they were never diagnosed; you can also talk to your parents or other family members to see if people in your family had depression without you knowing
   • A hormonal imbalance. If you have a thyroid problem or another hormonal imbalance, it may be causing your depression.
   • Another illness. A doctor can help you see if you're suffering from another illness that can cause or precede your depression, such as an anxiety disorder such as OCD, or even a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.
   • A side effect of a medication you are taking. If you're taking a medication for another problem, a doctor can tell you if depression is one of the side effects and may be able to switch you to an equally-effective medication without this side-effect.

     
   
3. 
   

   Search for a personal cause. If you've spoken with a doctor and have determined that you do not need or do not want prescription drugs, you should start thinking about some root causes for depression that may be causing you pain in your everyday life. Though your depression may not be caused by the situations in your life, there's a good chance that specific people or events in your life may be making you deeply unhappy. Here are a few things that may be causing or worsening your depression:

   • A failed or unfulfilling romantic relationship. If you are going through a devastating break-up, or are in a relationship that is causing you great pain, then it could be contributing to your depression.
   • A disappointing family relationship or friendship. If you are constantly at war with your mother or are being emotionally abused by your best friend, then it could cause your depression.
   • An unrewarding career. If you feel deeply unhappy, stifled, or even worthless at your current job or throughout your career, then your line of work may be a contributing factor to your depression.
   • An undesirable environment. If you live with two screaming, unbearable roommates, or just feel deeply unhappy in your own home or neighborhood, then your environment may be contributing to your depression.
   • Financial reasons. Worrying about paying your next rent check or where your next paycheck will come from can be a serious cause of depression if it's a continuing problem.
   
    
4.   Start a journal. Starting a journal can help you reflect on your depression and feelings and monitor your sensations throughout the day. Make a goal of writing in your journal at least once a day, preferably in the evenings, when you can wrap up whatever the day brought you. Writing in a journal can make you feel more in touch with your thoughts, less alone, and more aware of the things that make you happy or unhappy. 
•  Writing in a journal will also help you focus and shut off your mind from all the stressful tasks around you.

Part 2: How to improve your life... next week.