Depression Awareness

Articles

Oct 1

Although everyone feels down or sad at different periods, usually it passes with time. During Depression Awareness Month, we are highlighting some of the facts about depression and promoting understanding and awareness of the difference between typical grief and depression.

What is Depression?

Generally, depression presents itself through a loss of interest in activities that previously would have been enjoyed for an extended period of time. This can cause issues focusing and performing in work or tending to normal tasks at home. While sadness is associated with depression, it does not mean depression will always involve feelings of sadness. Sometimes an individual can experience feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, or simply feel empty. Sleep and appetite can be affected in many different ways, along with feelings of fatigue or restlessness.

How to Prevent Depression Onset

Although it is not always something you can prevent, being conscious of when you are likely to feel depressed can help you create a more stable environment.

By making sure you get regular exercise, you’re helping your body calm the nervous system and release endorphins. This can help some individuals maintain a more positive outlook. Your routine is important to establish, because it can help you keep yourself accountable to doing everything you can do to maintain a healthy frame of mind.

Common Misconceptions About Depression

One misconception about depression is that it is simply feeling sad. It is important to recognize that it is a serious mental health disorder that can be treated in a variety of ways. Depression is also not always an inherited disorder — although you are more likely to develop depression if your family has a history if it, it does not guarantee it.

Another misconception about depression is regarding antidepressants. Although they will work for some individuals, others will not experience the same successes and will require a different treatment plan. Some people take antidepressants long-term, while others may only take them for a short time.

Treatment for Depression

As with any disorder, treatment for depression is dependent upon the individual. It may be recommended that an individual try medication, engage in psychotherapy, or sometimes both of those methods. Treatment is important and depression can be treatable and managed by healthcare professionals with a treatment plan.

With a treatment plan from healthcare professionals and therapists, individuals can focus on ways to create a support system around them and create healthy habits.

Occupational Therapy and Depression

Occupational therapists can help empower you or your loved one to achieve the highest level of independence to perform meaningful and necessary activities. Working with an occupational therapist can help those with a mental health disorder with different approaches to their well-being. Cognition and mental health relates to our ability to make quality decisions, our social skills, safety awareness, and more. Occupational therapists can also provide treatment for those in need of assistance with self-care tasks such as money management, home management, or overall grooming and hygiene. For individuals with depression, and occupational therapist can help assess your daily activity and help you implement the routine to help improve your mental health.

Depression Screening Day

In 2020, National Depression Screening Day occurred on October 8. On this day, the effort to promote depression awareness includes recommending individuals to screen themselves for depression. Health screenings are a great way to prevent or reduce the severity of a health problem, and mental health should not be ignored. Because major depression is the most common mental illness with 6.7% of US adults affected every year.

It is easy to take a depression screening. Visit Mental Health America for a choice of a few different screening tools to help you understand whether you are experiencing depression or something else.

Finding Assistance with Depression

SAMHSA

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

There are many resources available for individuals who feel they are in crisis. One in particular is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which provides a National Helpline to assist individuals with their substance abuse or mental health disorder. It is available every day, all hours of the day, and is free. This helpline can assist you with referrals to local organizations or resources where you can seek additional treatment or guidance.

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

ADAA

https://adaa.org/supportgroups

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) offers resources for individuals with depression or mental health disorders to join or form a support group for their community. Use their resource to find one in your area to find support from others.

Continue to spread awareness about depression and how common it is for people to experience by sharing with others or reaching out to someone you know who has depression.

Working with Tilton’s Therapy

Our occupational therapists have experience working with different mental health disorders and developing treatment plans with a holistic approach to wellness. Individuals may seek treatment with an occupational therapist to help with self-care tasks or medication management.

For patients with depression or another mental health disorder, get started with Tilton’s Therapy by completing registration. Learn more about how our team can help in our resources.