What You Should Do If You Are Feeling Depressed

When it comes to their mental health and well-being, many people tend to try to brush issues they are having under the rug or just try to ignore the problem and hope it will go away. However, if you have been feeling depressed and blue, trying to ignore it may just make the problem worse. There are numerous steps that you can and should take to help you when you are depressed. Get to know some of these steps and give them a try as soon as possible to help you feel better sooner rather than later. 

Visit Your Primary Care Doctor

One of the first steps you should take when you have been chronically feeling depressed is to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Depression is a serious issue, and if you have spent weeks feeling low, you may be experiencing any number of problems including issues in your work and relationships, a lack of energy and focus, and much more. You do not have to keep suffering like this indefinitely. 

Your primary care doctor will discuss what is going on with you at your appointment. They will ask questions about your state of mind, your life, and if you have been having any suicidal thoughts or tendencies. It is important that you answer honestly and tell your doctor what is going on as much as possible. They need the information so they can help. 

Generally, for chronic depression, your primary care doctor will prescribe an antidepressant. They may also make a referral to a psychiatrist (though this is not always necessary depending on your primary doctor's comfort level managing depression). 

Take Time for Self-Care

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life with work and family. When you do so, self-care can often go to the wayside. This in and of itself can lead to depression or can worsen depression that already exists. 

Take some time out of your schedule for self-care. Make sure you shower regularly, get your hair cut or done when you need to, or even get manicures and pedicures on a regular basis. Alternatively, schedule yourself for a monthly massage or acupuncture treatment. Doing simple things for yourself like this can help you to feel a little more like yourself and can help to improve your mood over time. It is also good to take care of yourself in spite of your depression. 

Consider Speaking to a Counselor

If your depression continues in spite of quality self-care and medications, or if you want to feel better faster, counseling is a great option to consider as well. Counseling will give you a safe space to discuss your depression and the issues you are having in your life. The counselor will give you "homework" of various strategies to try to manage your depression and will help you to better understand your depression and how to deal with it, in the short and long term. 

Now that you know a few of the things you should do if you are feeling depressed, you can contact your primary care physician for an appointment as soon as possible. 

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