Depression is a very common condition and yet there is still a certain stigma attached to the admission of depression, especially to work colleagues and family. Everyone does experience depression at some level at some time in their lives and this depression is often covered up in many ways, such as shopping, alcohol, food addictions and many more. If you are experiencing depression then you are not alone and by acknowledging your depression, you have started the healing process.
The idea of not being alone is an important step. If you can see that depression is far more common than people will admit then you can see that you are not abnormal, in fact, you are perfectly normal and depression is very common. So how can we live with depression?
One step is to admit to the depression and then simply allow the depression to run its course. The writer could tell when the depression spiral was starting and this would intensify the experience. However, the signs of the downward spiral have no real power anymore. It is almost as if you are standing back and watching the depression arrive, do its business and then move on. In this way, the depression cannot take hold as you have given it now power; it is like being in a boat and watching a fog bank role in; you just allow the fog to arrive and then lift without any emotional attachment.
This technique does take practice but is well worth the effort. Remember as well, it takes 12 weeks for a new habit to form, so why not take those 12 weeks to form the habit of merely observing the depression without allowing it to pull you under.
Another useful technique is to form a tight and trusted social circle. This can be invaluable when you feel the depression spiral start to turn. Moral support or simply talking and laughing with close friends can be one of the best depression busters available.
The writer gave up taking medication for depression many years ago and now watches when the depression arrives and then watches it leave. Without the power given to the depressive stare, the length of the occurrence is getting smaller all the time. This then breeds further optimism and hope which in turn eradicates even more depression.
Depression is not terminal and nor is it permanent. There is always a way out and there is always a different way to look at your situation.
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