Fighting Back Against Depression


year and that only one-third of individuals with severe depression get the professional help and therapy they need for recovery? Now that winter is upon us, this is a good opportunity to raise awareness and support people in recognizing how depression can impact their lives.


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Left untreated, depression can have a serious impact on quality of life and affect your career, relationships, health, socializa- tion, and much more. However, by tak- ing part in a depression screening, Maine residents can evaluate their risk and explore options for combatting this common mental health condition. Here are some ways that professionals cope with depression.


Early Detection Can Lead to Better Care


As with many health conditions, early detection is key to effective treatment. The sooner issues with depression are recog- nized, the sooner you can work on manag- ing and overcoming them. By signing up for a depression screening, Maine residents can be proactive when it comes to their mental health and understand when their symptoms may be pointing to something more serious. Screenings can empower them to seek help from depression treat- ment centers that provide personalized care and attention in managing this disorder.


Tried-and Tested Pick-Me-Uppers


There are a wide variety of ways to combat depression. Some people find that medication is helpful for stabilizing their mood, while others opt for more natural methods, or a combination of both. Exer- cise stimulates your body to produce endor- phins which are natural mood boosters and can help fend off feelings of depression as well as stress. Engaging in activities such as


id you know that depression is a condition that affects more than 16 million adults in America every


volunteering, participating in clubs or hob- bies, spending time with friends, and mak- ing time for self-care can also be natural forms of depression therapy. Find activities that make you feel good about yourself and that you enjoy doing. Even if you’re not feeling motivated to participate, get out and do it anyway.


A Positive Mindset Staying positive can be hard, but if


you make a conscious effort toward finding something good in each day, it can make a difference. Start by picking a positive affir- mation or mantra to recite to yourself when you’re feeling down. Focus on looking for the silver lining and keep a gratitude jour- nal so you have something to reflect back on when you’re having trouble staying posi- tive. Being deliberate about trying to stay positive can ward off potentially negative situations that can take a toll on your men- tal health. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself and lift you up instead of bringing you down.


Handling Co-Occurring Problems


It is not unusual for individuals with depression to also struggle with other co- occurring conditions such as addiction. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to numb their feel- ings or forget about their problems. However, this is just a temporary fix and can actually end up mak- ing symptoms of depres- sion worse, not better. For people with bipolar disor- der, depression is a major part of the challenges they face. They cycle between being very positive and upbeat to feeling very low and depressed.


Seeking treatment for co-occurring dis- orders can help you get involved with de- pression therapy as well as other programs to address both disorders concurrently. For instance, you’ll learn how to overcome addiction while also focusing on improving mental health. Depression and co-occurring disorders do not have to control your life. You can take back control and remember who you wanted to be through compre- hensive care and professional treatment. Whether involved in residential treatment or gender-specific outpatient programs, you can fight back against depression with targeted treatment, positive reinforcement, and support from family and friends.


Depression treatment centers like Cross- roads can help you to access the support and trusted care you need for recovery. Crossroads will work with you to find the most effective treatment options for your needs including the depression therapy Maine residents are looking for. Don’t let depression control your life. Fight back with help from Crossroads. Visit us at www. crossroadsme.org or call us 207.773.9931 to learn more. See ad on back cover.


Nicolaus Bloom Health Coach


nicolausbloom.com 207.749.5952


A powerful, passion-fueled program to get your body, soul and mind fit!


www.EssentialLivingMaine.com 11


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