Depression Guide Lesson 1: Understanding and Overcoming Depression

1. What stands out to you about the different symptoms and how they impact different parts of ourselves (cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral)?

I feel that often the cognitive can be the hardest to overcome because the unhelpful thought patternsbecome so automatic that even if you recognise them it is difficult to change them. It's also the bit that you can't observe in other people andbecause you can'tsee how someone without the illness would think on a day to day basisit can be difficult to recognise that this is something you can change. This is also the bit that is going to make it harderseek the helpneeded because of unhelpful thinking styles which could lead to, for example, negative assumptions that they don't deserve help, or things similar to this.

The behavioural is probably the most stigmatised because there is a general perception in society is that people are "just lazy","not trying hard enough" or "using depression as an excuse" if they don't understand how depression can change your behaviour. I've found that when trying to explain it to some of the most empathic people I know, even theyhave found it difficult to understand howsomeone might not be able to get out of bed in the morning or put basic hygiene in to practise without having experienced these strugglesthemselves. It can seem unimaginable that such basic routine could become such a difficulty.

2. Why do you think symptom tracking would be a good idea? i.e., why would it make sense for me to do that symptom inventory on a daily basis over a 2 week period?

Asides from what people have said before me, it can also be something helpful to do if you are scared to get help as it can help you understand your own symptoms and providea starting point to talk about what you are experiencing, and also gives you something to refer to if a doctor asks something and talking about your feelings gets you too emotional to think or express yourself clearly.

3. If you were to paint a word picture of how depression feels to you, how would you describe it?

Like desperately trying to stay above water without being dragged down by the growing weights attached to you.

What are other thoughts you have on depression?

Depression can bedifficult for an individual to cope with because even when they feel ready to try and recover there are lots of highs and lows along the way and without the support they need it is easy to feel like even a natural drop in mood is a road straight back to where they were at their lowest and cause panic and upset, creating a spiral downwards again. It can be important for any one with depression to understand that even when they recover they will experience some low periods and that this is normal and okay.

Very insightful thoughts flow! It's awesome

Thanks Flow! Love your point that depression isn't being lazy, but can often be perceived that way. Also, good point about a certain amount of sadness being okay. I think we can easily forget that being sad is a normal part of life.

1. I personally think that different people can have so many different symptoms as they are all so unique. What is depression for one person maybe quite acceptable for another.

2. The symptom tracking can be very helpful letting the person know whetherthere is a trigger that makes them more depressed at certain times of the day or week. It can help people to see whentheyare feeling at their lowest ebb and also most helpful letting them see that there were good times within the two week period

3.i would describe depression like a black tunnel, sometimes people teter around the edges just having bad days, not feeling good. Other times peopel go in but have the light in there view so although they are feeling low and down there is a light that at times gives them relief from these feelings. Other people go right in the tunnel and all they see is dark, nothing more....these peopel are the one for me that may need the most help they need to try to keep walking the journey until a little bit of light is seen, once they see the little bit of light they may want a little more so will walk towards it.

Not sure if I have gone a bit off here just what came to mind

Tina, I really like that metaphor as it captures different severity levels.

Also, welcome to 7 cups!

Thanks for great addition in your point of view Tina, it's great to see how different people take different views on depression.

great point of view Tina!

1. What stands out to you about the different symptoms and how they impact different parts of ourselves (cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral)?

Personally for me, I think it is more of a cognitive thing. Sometimes it's really hard to overcome negative thoughts. Sometimes it can be a bit sporadic. You can be good for a moment and down the next. I can also see how it can associate with a behavioral thing. Depression can make you change certain behaviors you have. If you liked doing something really fun before, depression can make it so you don't want to do that fun thing anymore, and not just that either. For me, there have been sometimes where I needed someone to hang out with, but I also just wanted to be alone. I think that depression is something that is hard to explain to your friends or your family. Unless they have experienced depression themselves, they don't really know how to help you out. From their point of view they just think you are sad. But you have a chemical imbalance within you that makes you this way.

2. Why do you think symptom tracking would be a good idea? i.e., why would it make sense for me to do that symptom inventory on a daily basis over a 2 week period?

I think that a symptom tracking plan would be a good idea because you could monitor what makes you feel this way (where your at, what your doing, what's happening around you, etc.), and then you could develop a plan (like a behavior modification program) to try to decrease your depression.

3. If you were to paint a word picture of how depression feels to you, how would you describe it?

Depression to me, feels like you are in a huge crowd of people. You know you aren't alone because their is people all around you, but inside yourself... you feel like you are alone. You feel disconnected from the outside world.

What are other thoughts you have on depression?

Depression is tricky business. I think that it is very beneficial to spread awareness about it and help those overcome it. :)