Write an article based on this "Seek out a mental health professional. Consider consulting with a psychiatrist. Avoid isolating yourself. Engage in exercise. Manage your stress."
If you are in any way unsure of your emotional state or are struggling to stay afloat amidst a depressive episode, seek therapy. A therapist can help you to understand your depression and help you find ways to cope and prevent future depressive episodes.Therapy is a highly effective treatment for depression, as it helps you to explore possible causes, overcome your negative feelings, and begin to feel and behave normally again. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is highly effective at treating depression. It helps you confront your negative thoughts and thought patterns into more positive patterns. You can learn to re-interpret your environment and your interactions in a more supportive way. For some, therapy coupled with medication can be helpful in treating symptoms of depression. Recognize that medication is not a cure-all and comes with risks. Seek out your medical provider or a psychiatrist to learn more about antidepressant medication. Discuss possible side effects with your prescriber and learn the risks of going on medication. If you experience an increase in suicidality due to medication, speak to your prescriber immediately. If you begin taking medication for your depression, do not stop taking it immediately upon seeing results. Use as directed by your prescriber. It's important to feel loved and supported, but it is especially important if you struggle with depression. It can be easy to disengage from friends and family when you feel depressed, but spending time with friends can boost your mood. When deep in depression, make time for your friends, even if your body or mind wildly protest. You can also join a support group. Check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at https://www.nami.org/ to connect to information about depression and how to find a support group. The benefits of exercise for treating depression are strongly supported by a growing body of research. Some studies show that exercise alone can help alleviate symptoms of depression and prevent onset for the future. It can be difficult to motivate yourself to go to the gym or go for a walk-- especially when depression seems to drain all of your energy-- but find some motivation and get some exercise. Exercise can be as simple as walking 20-40 minutes each day. If you have a dog, commit to walking your dog each day for double the happiness boost. If you struggle to find motivation to be active, remind yourself that once you get moving, you will not regret putting in the effort. It's rare for somebody to leave the gym thinking "I totally wasted my time, I should not have gone." Get a workout buddy to help your motivation. Having some accountability can help you get to the gym. Managing stress is one way to cope and prevent depression. Make a daily practice to do something that relaxes you (no, social media does not count). Try yoga, meditation, tai chi, or muscle relaxation techniques. You can also begin journaling or putting to use some creativity to draw, paint, or sew. For more information, check out Reduce Stress.