by John Hewitt

Created on: February 07, 2010

Living with depression is something that many people deal with; in fact it is more common than we think. Depression is also completely misunderstood even by the medical profession and unless you have experienced it you can’t really talk about depression.

I have lived with depression for my entire life; even at an early age the seeming futility and the pain of the world was just too much to handle. I still have days like that. So how do I deal with depression when the black dog jumps on top of me?

Here are my tips for dealing with depression:

Let it be:

This may sound strange but when depression takes hold I just allow it to do so. The depression is then not given any more energy than is needed. I accept the depression as what is happening there and then and, like watching a fog bank, I know that the depression will eventually lift; no matter what I do or don’t do.

Get physical:

I used to walk miles when the heavy depression would settle in. I would rant and rave in my head or I would listen to music as I walked. Depression can seem to affect the self at such a physical level that walking helps get that energy moving. The stagnant nature of depression is what compounds the problem.

Treat it like a headache:

This is similar to the first tip. If I don’t give the depression any more thought other than: ‘Oh it’s you again’, then it will shift. I don’t know how the depression shifts; it just does. One moment it is there and one moment it is gone: just like that headache.

It’s OK to be depressed:

Sounds strange? Well, sometimes this planet just sucks! There are wars and devastation and overpaid bankers and sports ‘personalities’ and starving children. Sometimes it is OK to be depressed and one should feel proud that our sensitivity makes us feel more and experience more. Depression is that feeling of the utter frustration of the human condition: at least we are really feeling, rather than ignoring what goes on around us.

Talking:

Find a good friend and talk and talk some more. Like the second point, talking helps shift the energy of depression. It doesn’t have to be a therapist, in fact just meeting up with friends and talking about nonsense can help the depression lift. Remember don’t give the depression any energy: don’t feed the depression and watch it fade.

These are all very simple techniques that I use on a daily basis. Depression can be debilitating and can stop you getting on with your life; but you know what: even when I am depressed I carry on, even when I am depressed I live my life and even when I am depressed I have a good time; just like I would with any old headache.

Blessings.

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