Therapy for depression/mood disorders

@TheRealLadyJ

I tried a range of different options that didn't require medication or professional aid.

>DEPRESSION<

[| Journal - Helps to track progress and express emotions

[| Destroy This Book - A book in which you can write, burn, draw, tear, cut etc. This is best for those who cant keep ordinary journals.

[| Project Happiness - Make a scrapbook and call it Project Happiness, this will record your journey to happiness. Be creative. Write your strengths, weaknesses, your hopes, dreams, and fears, the past present and future.

[| Hobby - Do a hobby you enjoy or think you'll enjoy. Immerse yourself in it. It doesn't have to be expensive or difficult. As long as it's interesting it will serve the purpose.

[| Indulge - Do fun things and treat yourself.

[| Go out - it is important to keep yourself actively engaged in social activities, isolation isnt a supportive environment. Force

[| Help others - This can be a good way of moving through your depression, try volunteer or charity work

[| 1000 Cranes - Make 1000 paper cranes, this is a symbol of hope and in Japanese Folklore it is said that making 1000 origami cranes can grant you a wish.

[| Make a list - Make a list of your strengths, competencies and assets is a way of seeing a different you in the mirror.

[| Make a list II - A list of realistic and achievable goals and dreams, a list of what is keeping you from achieving it, and a list of methods to work around it and accomplish your goals.

[| Make a list III - Each morning make a list of the things you have achieved, it can be as simple as Woke Up, Got out of Bed, Ate Breakfast etc. - this will help you understand your accomplishments during the day and give yourself more credit for these small, influential feats.

[| Listen to music - music can directly impact your mood, so listen to uplifting or upbeat music, and avoid depressing/heavy music such as emo, screamo and metal.

[| Philosophy Wall - stick a piece of paper on your wall and write a new quote every day

[| Philosophy Wall II - Stick another piece of paper and each day write on it 1 new thing you are grateful for

[| Philosophy Wall III - Stick another piece of paper on the wall and each day write 1 thing you love about yourself - tell yourself this even if you dont believe it, eventually you will be comfortable with these positive traits and learn to accept them.

[| Labels - remove negative labels and replace it with positive ones, you will subconsciously conform to labels, so even if you dont believe it at first, fake it and pretend.

[| Remove triggers - get rid of immediate triggers

[| Talk to someone - Send a general or personal request to an experienced listener or join our group chatrooms

[| Make a happy jar - put all the things you love into a jar and open the jar when you feel down.

These are just a few things I try.