Depress Your Depression

Psychotherapy or counseling is another common treatment for depression. Oftentimes, medication and psychotherapy are used together for optimum results. Psychotherapy involves meeting with a professional regularly in order to examine the possible causes of one's depression, to alter one's negative way of thinking, and to actively engage in activities that promote a healthier way of living. Most depressed people have negative thoughts about themselves and hold a very narrow view of the world. A therapist can assist an individual in identifying such negative self-talk and replacing it with positive self-talk, learning to view the world differently, and brainstorming solutions to his or her issues.

Group therapy is another avenue of treatment for people with depression. Such therapy provides structure and a sense of belonging in addition to allowing the exchange of participant ideas and feelings. Group therapy is typically lead by a professional counselor and the group size varies. Number of sessions, length of each session, and participant age and gender varies between groups.

There are also support groups available to help those with depression. Such groups allow members to openly share their feelings and receive acceptance from other group members. There is no leader (professional of otherwise) to direct such groups and there is no maximum number of sessions that one can attend.

Some people have found reading various self-help books to be of benefit in overcoming their depression. There are dozens of books out there and some even contain workbooks. One needs to be cautious regarding the qualifications of the author and of the "advice" given. Further, simply reading a book or two is unlikely to be of any assistance if the depression is severe or prolonged.

One cannot separate the mind from the body and treat them individually. Instead, a thorough treatment regimen should examine all aspects of a person's life. For instance, excessive amounts of caffeine consumption or otherwise poor eating habits may be a contributing factor in one's depression. Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are depressants that should be avoided. Restricting one's food intake will inevitably negatively impact one's mood and state of mental health as food is essential for proper brain and body functioning. Hence, developing a healthy eating plan (NOT diet) may also help with one's depression.

Lack of exercise is also associated with depression. Regular exercise causes the brain to release endorphins and other chemicals that naturally help elevate mood. One need not run 20 kilometers a day or lift weights six hours a day to reap such benefits. Simply scheduling to go for a brisk walk 30 minutes a day four days a week will help a person's overall health.