Dealing With Clinical Depression
Managing Bipolar & Unipolar Depressive Disorder and Dysphoric Mood
It's much easier and to maintain a healthy mood than to crawl out of an episode of depression. Here's some advice on getting the help you need to avoid down time.
If you struggle with clinical depression you know that maintaining a normal mood, although not easy, does not take the Herculean effort required to recover from a depressive episode. But what can you do to avoid these plunges in mood that seem to strike with no rhyme or reason?
Facing Depression
Many people still feel the sting and stigma that can still be associated with having a mental illness. Others believe that mental maladies are not as “real” as other health problems, or that they are a sign of weakness. But denying that you have a problem with depression will only interfere with solving it.
The brain is an organ of the body, and, as such, is subject problems in function. Shame should not be associated with mental illness any more than it should be associated with diabetes, asthma, cancer, or any other illness. Accept your struggle and go get help.
Find a Reputable Psychiatrist
If you haven’t already, find a good psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and who can prescribe medication. Drug therapy may be helpful in regulating your mood on a short or long-term basis. But only a psychiatrist can make that determination.
Psychologists, or therapists, can also be very helpful to people trying to overcome depression. These professionals generally have a PhD in psychology, and can help you better deal with the challenges of depression. Psychologists are not, however, able to prescribe medication. Your best bet is to initially be evaluated by a psychiatrist who can then refer you to a psychologist who would be a good match for your needs.
Make and Keep Appointments with Your Psychiatrist
Depression and bipolar disorder can be extremely challenging to treat, for many reasons, but one of the most insidious problem is that the patient with normal or elated mood may not see the necessity of going to the psychiatrist while, when depressed, that same person may not feel he or she can muster enough will or energy to go in for an appointment. Do your best to avoid this common problem by making and keeping the regularly scheduled appointments recommended by your mental health professional. When you are feeling good, think of your appointment as support for maintaining a normal mood, and make that extra effort to attend appointments when struggling with a down-cycle so that you can more quickly get back on your feet.
Take Medication as Directed
Mental health patients tend to also have problems consistently taking medication as directed. When you feel good, it’s very appealing to believe that you no longer have a problem and that you can stop taking your meds. When depressed, patients can sabotage their recovery by not making the effort to take medications as directed. No matter how you feel, take medications as your mental health care provider has prescribed. If you are having problems with side effects, or are thinking about changing your dose or stopping your meds entirely, always first meet with your psychiatrist. Never stop meds without their knowledge.
If you struggle with depression, unpredictable moods can make it challenging to maintain consistency from day to day. But making the extra effort to regularly see your psychiatrist, take your medication, and get enough sleep and exercise, can give you more control over your illness and your life.
More Information on Depression
There are numerous on-line and in print resources with additional information on clinical depression, including: Psychology Prof Online. The Therapist Locator can help you find a psychiatrist or psychologist in your area.
This Suite 101 contains information on actions you can take to maintain your mental health and fight depression. The contents of this article are not meant to be a substitute for professional help and counseling.
