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Are You Depressed Enough to Get Help?

Lack of motivation, changes in eating habits, loss of interest in what used to bring you joy, avoidance of people, too much or too little sleep, persistent sadness, and suicidal thoughts are common signs of depression. Mom depression can sneak up on you from unexpected places and mild depression can affect anyone. It’s more than just feeling sad or shut down emotionally and mentally. It comes with a sense of listlessness or hopelessness. If you have severe depression that isn’t improving, is hindering normal life, or you feel suicidal, you need to seek help from a licensed therapist.

But for mild depression, there are things you can do to help yourself, depending on what’s causing it. Here are some strategies you can use to overcome mild depression.

Talk to someone you trust.

Sometimes, the source of mild depression is self-doubt. Your hopelessness comes from believing you will never be enough or get it right, from believing you are inherently bad, or from feeling unresolved shame. You may have unresolved childhood experiences, like the death of a family member, a divorce, or abuse. Talk to a pastor, counselor, or friend who can help you process the past and see the truth about yourself today.

Practice gratitude.

Has the environment around you caused mild depression? News, social media, and TV shows are bent on the negative and can make life feel hopeless. Media makes money from bad news. Social media often stirs up drama, injustice, and self-pity, which feed depression and make life seem hopeless. They paint the world in shades of imminent destruction. Instead, feed yourself with uplifting stories, positive declarations, happy songs, and thankfulness. Take a break from bad news and negative thoughts for 30 days. Redirect your mind toward thankfulness whenever negative thoughts come.

Seek out new perspectives.

Your circumstances also can contribute to mild depression. Life events may have hit you hard and you’re grieving a loss or feeling hopeless that your circumstances will ever change. Find someone to talk to who can help you process through the pain, get advice, or help you see your options. Often, we can’t see all potential routes when we feel trapped inside our own heads. Find someone who won’t just feel sorry for you. Find someone who has a different perspective, who can help you see your situation rationally, and who can guide you toward healthy conclusions.

See a medical doctor.

Sometimes your hormone levels are off or you need pharmaceutical help to regulate brain chemistry. After having a baby or during menopause, your mood can be affected by unbalanced hormone levels. Adrenal fatigue and lack of sleep also can alter your brain chemistry. Seek a medical professional who can help you resolve physiological issues.

Depression isn’t something you have to learn to live with. It’s possible to overcome it and get your life and your joy back.

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