I know what you’re thinking, depression is generally considered a disease not a gift but I’m here to tell you that a gift is exactly what I have found depression can be if you choose to look at it that way and that no matter how bad your depression is you can use these steps to help it be that way for you too. (This doesn't mean you can go off your medication.)

My First Step

I know it sounds cliche' but for me the first step is to recognize that you are depressed and want to do something about it, the worst form of depression that I've ever dealt with is one of apathy, I just find it extremely hard to care about anything. The first time I realized that I was depressed this way was after many conversations with my roommate at the time where she kept saying that she thought I was really depressed and I thought she was nuts. I slowly started to realize that everything she was saying was true, I had lost interest in almost anything that I usually found so much joy in and could sleep a lot more than usual I just didn't have the deep sadness that I had always noticed before.



Once I realized that I really was depressed and not just tired I finally wanted to do something about it, like get up and not just from my bed to the couch.

What are the signs that you need to keep an eye out for? Here is a list of classic signs:

-Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.

-Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.

-Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.

-Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).

-Irritability or restlessness. Feeling agitated, restless, or on edge. Your tolerance level is low; everything and everyone gets on your nerves.

-Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.

-Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.

-Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.

-Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.


If these sound like you then get help and move on to step 2
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  1. cellosaraMarch 9, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Thanks Andrea. We're a lot more alike than I thought. I've dealt with this for a while and though I knew what it was, didn't know how to "snap out of it" as someone else who is close to me says.

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