Dealing with Depression

Tips...

If you think you're depressed...

• Don't be ashamed to seek treatment for depression – you wouldn't refuse help for diabetes or a broken leg.

• If you're puzzled by symptoms, stop worrying and talk to a doctor. Don't be tempted to self-diagnose. If you suspect a problem or just know something's wrong but can't put a finger on it, get professional help.

• Antidepressant medications don't work overnight. Find other sources of help and support – counselling, a self-help group – while waiting for the effects to kick in.

• Investigate supplementary treatments such as cognitive therapy, which can help you learn new ways of thinking about life and coping with adversity.

To prevent depression...

• Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly.

• Increase the number of pleasant activities each day to help counteract the impact of unpleasant events.

• Maintain social contact with positive, optimistic people who boost your self-esteem. Nurture relationships and maintain ties with family and friends so you'll have support when trouble comes your way.

• Find a sense of meaning in your own existence – through spiritual growth, or commitment to social responsibilities.

• Stay involved in pursuits that keep mind and body active and in touch with others. Make new acquaintances, try new things, take risks, keep an open mind.

• Make your own decisions. Gather information and opinions from others but weigh them exercising your own judgement.

• Follow instructions when using medicines to reduce the risk of depression as a drug side effect.

• Ask for help when you need it – it's not evidence of weakness or incompetence but a sign of health and maturity, of being in control.

• Meet life's ups and downs with flexibility, adaptability and a sense of humour.

If a senior you know is depressed...

• Don't ignore the warning signs if someone you love is sad, withdrawn, lethargic, or neglects personal appearance or hygiene.

• Take all talk about death or suicide seriously.

• Pep talks don't work. Urging the person to "cheer up" or "snap out of it" isn't helpful. Instead, support them in their search for appropriate help.

• Listen to the depressed person without criticizing or feeling responsible for the person's unhappiness. Be supportive and understanding without feeling guilty – you didn't cause the depression.

If you're caring for someone who's depressed...

• Take time to take care of yourself – exercise, eat right, get enough sleep. Learn about relaxation techniques (breathing exercise, yoga). Take a stress management course

• Try to keep a balanced perspective – don't let the disease dominate your life. Keep to your normal routine – don't rearrange your life around the depressed person.

• A depressed person is often irritable, hostile, pessimistic. Living with a depressed person is challenging; don't be hard on yourself for feeling angry. Find constructive outlets for anger.

• Set realistic standards for yourself and learn to say no.

• Share the load. Talk things out with friends and associates. Enlist others to provide support for the depressed person. Get help for yourself and other family members if you need it.