Accepting and living with depression
Many people
experience a sense of disbelief followed by overwhelming relief when
depression is diagnosed. At least now there is an explanation for feeling
so at odds with the world and yourself. Living with depression is neither
easy nor enjoyable but it is manageable. The first step is to accept the
diagnosis and the next is to consider a plan for living.
How to deal
with immediate depression problems
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Get your
prescription completed by the pharmacy and start taking your medication
without delay.
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Do anything
else you need to do that is directly related to your recovery, such as
making appointments.
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If you are
employed, you will need to tell your employers that you are ill and give
them a date on which you are likely to return to work. You will need to
supply a certificate from your doctor.
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If you are
self-employed, you may need to reschedule some of your work and, if you
have no alternative, such as sub-contracting, to turn down some jobs. You
should check what state benefits are available.
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If you are
home looking after children, don't worry too much about housework for the
time-being. Just concentrate on getting the children fed, washed, to
school and to bed at a regular time.
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Basic
survival: eating and sleeping are all you need to do if you cannot cope
with anything else for now.
Overcoming the
stigma of depression
Many people
suffer brief, recurrent episodes of depression and some suffer with
moderate to severe depression throughout their lives. Depression affects
as many as one in five people at some time in their lives. It is
therefore remarkable that some stigma over mental illness still remains.
It is your personal choice who you tell and who you don't. If you believe
that, in some instances, it is wiser to produce an explanation such as
exhaustion, bronchitis or back pain, for example, then do so. It is
entirely your decision and if you either can't or don't want to tell
others, then don't. However, the more people who are prepared to reveal
that they have suffered from depression, the more acceptable it will
become until the stigma is finally lost.
Key Facts:
Accept the diagnosis of depression, then make a plan for living. You
don't have to tell other people of the diagnosis if you do not wish to.
Very many people suffer with depression. Someone who lives in your road,
someone else at your place of work and several other parents at your
child's school will all suffer with depression at some time. Accepting
the diagnosis is the first step towards recovery.
