| Being "depressed" can often make you feel more | | | | fade as treatment, or changes in your life begin to |
| than exhausted, feeling worthless as well as helpless | | | | take effect. There is hope. Hope and help are on |
| and hopeless. Negative thoughts and feelings may | | | | their way. |
| make you feel like giving up on life in specifics and life | | | | Depression or the "blues" can be said to take a lot |
| in general. It is more than important to realize that | | | | out of you. Indeed it is often quoted that "having the |
| these negative views may be in part to "mood | | | | blues can take years off a person's life". Thus, it is |
| disorders" and "depression: specifically. | | | | more than realistic, to be straightforward and honest |
| What signs and symptoms should you watch for and | | | | about your goals, responsibilities and tasks. Stay as |
| be on the lookout for? Signs and symptoms of | | | | active as possible without overextending yourself |
| concern are low mood associated with any of the | | | | with more activities and responsibilities than you can |
| following - loss of appetite, low energy, feelings of | | | | possibly handle - no matter what anyone else says, |
| guilt, difficulty concentrating. Be watchful for difficulty | | | | demands or insists. Above all, be realistic for the |
| in getting to sleep, waking up often in the middle of | | | | moment. Deal with reality at hand. |
| night and not being able to go back to sleep. | | | | It is always best practice to break large tasks into |
| Especially, especially if you have thoughts of death or | | | | smaller more manageable ones. Some people refer to |
| suicide you should immediately make an appointment | | | | this as the "salami technique". Often a big task cut |
| with your doctor, or stroll over promptly to your local | | | | down into a number of smaller more manageable |
| hospital emergency ward. | | | | tasks is doable whereas the larger task can seem |
| You may find that in consulting with health care | | | | overwhelming an intimidating. |
| professionals that you may have to adjust your | | | | Above all avail yourself of the help and support of |
| expectations in life - and expectations of others. Best | | | | friends, your family (if so situated and you find that |
| not be concerned. These downward adjustments are | | | | they both offer and extend useful support) and your |
| practical in nature. These may well be only short term | | | | medical supports system. In the end it's all about life - |
| in nature as you work to re-orientatate yourself and | | | | both being able to cope with life, enjoy life and as |
| your goals. It is as a general rule best to stay as | | | | well accomplish your personal and family goals and |
| active as possible that is without overworking | | | | being a productive and happy contributor to both life |
| yourself. Always seek to know your limits - either at | | | | and those that you love around you. |
| the moment or overall in your life and / or | | | | Lastly do your best to reduce personal stress wisely. |
| personality. | | | | Exercise on a regular and consistent basis and eat a |
| You will find quickly that negative thinking will begin to | | | | healthy diet. |