Social Work Counselors. Many times, your first
appointment will be with the Psychiatrist for a medical
assessment of the need for an antidepressant, then
you will meet your therapist. During subsequent
appointments, you will see your therapist on a regular
basis and the Psychiatrist, less frequently, for follow
ups and maintenance of your medications.
If you don't feel comfortable with counseling (but
really, who doesn't enjoy talking to a complete
stranger about themselves for 60 minutes) there are
some activities you can do on your own to help
control the symptoms of depression.
Bear in mind that depression is a serious condition
and should be reported to some health care
professional. During depression, your thinking can be
greatly impaired and both poor judgment and decision
making can be overwhelming. Many times, you need a
professional and impartial party to review your
symptoms and suggest a treatment plan.
Most Common Symptoms of Depression
1. Change in eating and sleeping habits
2. Feelings of guilt
3. Feeling like you are in slow motion,
with fatigue
4. Finding little pleasure in the things you
once enjoyed
5. Feeling hopeless, helpless, and
pessimistic about the future
Activities To Help Alleviate Depression
1. Journaling
2. Guided imagery
3. Relaxation techniques
4. Deep breathing
What Not To Do
There are many affected with depression who, in
desperation, turn to alcohol or recreational drugs to
help cope with their symptoms. Remember, alcohol
and most recreational drugs, are depressants and will,
over time, increase your symptoms and contribute to
sleep disturbances, which further aggravates
depressive symptoms. People may think it's helping,
but it can be just another sign of depression.
As with any medical condition, all symptoms
should be reported to a medical professional
and you should not make any changes to
your routine without notifying your
physician. This article is not intended to
replace a professional healthcare plan; it is
not intended to act as a plan of care, but to
educate the reader, only.
Managing your depression starts with embracing
self-love and being kind to yourself. The first step in
feeling better is to recognize you are important
enough for treatment and you deserve to feel better,
because you do.
Anda Corn has been a Registered Nurse for seven years and is a
graduate from NC State with a major in Psychology and a minor in
Sociology. She worked in the operating room, general medicalsurgical and oncology floors. She worked as a case manager and
in an eating disorders facility, before becoming a medical review
analyst for an insurance company. She has most enjoyed her role
as a patient educator. She lives in the Durham, NC area, where
she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, when she is
not working.
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