What is Depression and Developing Healthy Coping Skills
Depression and Coping Skills
What is depression?
Depression causes a low mood that can last a long time or keep on recurring and disrupting your life. It is a common problem that impacts many people globally. It can range from mild to severe and the impact varies from person to person. It is more than just a bad day and we all have bad days so even if you feel irritable one day it doesn’t mean that you have depression. Depression can make you feel many things but some of the common ways in which it can impact your life are:
- Feeling sad, tearful, and hopeless for two weeks or more
- Making you feel isolated and withdrawing from friends and family
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping less or more than usual)
- Increased anxiety and restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Problems with your interpersonal relationships
- Your life lacks meaning and you feel constantly bored/dissatisfied
- Lack of interest in the things about life that you used to enjoy (Healthline, 2021)
Why do I feel this way?
Life is difficult and it has many ups and downs. It’s not a straight forward journey and it is so unpredictable so it’s normal to encounter some bumps along the way and some of those might be big bumps. Depression can be caused by life’s changes and losses such as bereavement, childhood trauma, stress and, relationship difficulties. It can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance and brain functioning. You are also more likely to get depression if your parents suffered from it (Healthline, 2021).
How is it treated?
As much as having depression can feel overwhelming and make you feel like there is no hope. There is always hope and you are in a good space, here at 7 Cups. There are many treatment methods for depression such as therapy and medication but whatever you choose, it should work for you. Some people find relief by talking to someone and at 7 Cups we have amazing volunteers to help you feel better.
What Coping Skills Work Best?
As with all coping skills, it's important to find out what works for you! Here are some that you could try:
Human connection - interact with others whether that is on 7 Cups or offline. Depression can make you feel isolated and withdraw from others but what you need the most is a friendly person who can walk with you in your moment of need.
Healthy habits - sleep, nutrition and exercise. This will be different for each person but do what works best for you to find a happy balance.
Get creative - even if you feel like you aren’t creative! Perhaps it’s making a necklace from some beads you have at home, making a card for someone, or just doodling. There are some amazing mindfulness colouring in books that really help.
Mindfulness - what is around you? What can you see and hear? Have you gone for a walk (if this works for you)? Meditation has proven to be beneficial for people with depression.
Learn your triggers - learn what makes you feel depressed so you can better cope.
Yoga - think of this as deep breathing, exercise, and meditation all rolled into one. A personal favourite of mine! :)
Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to give back and feel better. Have you ever wanted to become a listener at 7 Cups? “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Ghandi
What other coping skills do you find helpful when you are feeling depressed?
Hey @LisaMeighanMBPsS , thankyou for making this informative and insightful thread ❤
You've mentioned some amazing coping skills, for times I feel when feeling depressed, we shouldn't "force " ourselves into getting better instantly , instead just allow time and make way with slow and steady steps towards a healthier lifestyle for the mind and the body 😊
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
You are most welcome. :) I think that what you expressed about not forcing yourself to feel better is so important because often it takes patience, compassion for ourselves, and small steps forward in the right direction.
@LisaMeighanMBPsS thanks for this helpful thread on depression.
I find online exercises keep my energy level up.
@LisaMeighanMBPsS
Thank you very much for this post.
@LisaMeighanMBPsS
Thank you so much for this helpful post Lisa. Something that usually always works for me when feeling depressed is going into my garden and do some work. Getting into touch with nature even if it is just a walk is one of my best healers.
@amiablePeace77
Nature is truly so healing! I think it really can help us to rebalance ourselves especially when we are feeling depressed and needing some time to reflect and process how we feel.
That s great thank you all good stuff
Thank you, @LisaMeighanMBPsS, for helping me understand depression better. I used to think that being depressed caused me to be more irritable, but it seems like it's not the case.
Anyways, I use yoga to help me cope with my depression. I see that it's your favorite :-)
@friendlySkies6250 glad you found it useful.
A friend of mine has bipolar disorder and they swing from depression to mania and in mania they often get irritable, but I also get irritable but it may just be frustration with life. That is why I am so glad to have Lisa, a psych professional, here in this forum.
Hope you get the support you are looking for.
Thank you, @soulsings. I might be on the bipolar spectrum. I haven't considered it before, but it might be the reason for my irritability. I don't have insurance or any way of paying therapist to diagnose me or help me right now, so I would have to wait to get some help.
@friendlySkies6250 I am sorry you do not have insurance that will cover online therapy.
The good news is you can look for for free options: You can browse for a listener. https://www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners/ .
There are free self help guides https://www.7cups.com/supportGuides/selfHelpGuides.php
Sharing Circle is listed as one of the Group Support rooms https://www.7cups.com/connect/groupChatrooms.php
Discussion for 50+ 35+ and mindfulness are here
https://www.7cups.com/forum/50OverCommunity_193/TeamToolsandTeamUpdates_1705/50plusDiscussionsScheduleandTopics_207920/
https://www.7cups.com/forum/MindfulnessSupportCommunity_106/ResourceLibrary_1062/ Some people find that mindfulness helps them cope. The video Resource Library
If you want to try lifestyle changes in addition to seeking professional help, you might consider exercise, mindfulness, eating healthy moderate protein low carb diet, getting fresh air and either online or in real life social contact.
Hope you get the support you are looking for.
@soulsings, is there a way to save your post so that I can go back to those links?
@friendlySkies6250 there are a couple ways to know where this post is. It is easier on computer because I can have multiple tabs although I can have multiple apps up on phone.
One way is to look at all your posts and threads you created. https://www.7cups.com/forum/search.php?userStarted=on
Another way is to make a bookmark of the page the post is on https://www.7cups.com/forum/7CupsOnlineTherapy_157/DevelopingHealthyCopingSkills_2253/WhatisDepressionandHowToCopeWithIt_253536/1/#2730794
If youi want to save links, you can click on the link and then bookmark it.
hope that helps
soulsings
@friendlySkies6250
You are most welcome! :) I love that you enjoy yoga too! What type(s) of yoga do you enjoy and do you find any particular poses that make you feel calmer or more balanced emotionally?
Hi, @LisaMeighanMBPsS, I don't know what type of yoga it is, but I like to do the Bridge, Reclined Butterfly, Child's poses the most.
Is there a way to see this thread somewhere without new replies coming to my notifications? I want to be able to read this thread later from in the app, but there’s no setting for manage / view subscribed to threads, or a place to bookmark threads as far as I can tell. Sorry if I’m posting this in the wrong spot, I just started on 7 Cups this week, and I’d like to be able to view this particular thread about managing depression at any time without having to scroll all over looking for it.
@Njorun1338 I generally use a computer where there is an Unsubscribe button at the top of the post. Not sure about the app if it is possible to unsubscribe. When I get alerts I do not want on the app I can touch the X and the alert is deleted.
I was actually more concerned about the fact that this thread gets such sparse replies that I can’t find the article when nobody is replying to it and I clear my notifications regularly. So, I’m sure there’s a way to find all my article subscriptions in the browser then. The app version is a bit terrible :/
@Njorun1338 I made this post above
there are a couple ways to know where this post is. It is easier on computer because I can have multiple tabs although I can have multiple apps up on phone.
One way is to look at all your posts and threads you created. https://www.7cups.com/forum/search.php?userStarted=on
Another way is to make a bookmark of the page the post is on https://www.7cups.com/forum/7CupsOnlineTherapy_157/DevelopingHealthyCopingSkills_2253/WhatisDepressionandHowToCopeWithIt_253536/1/#2730794
If youi want to save links, you can click on the link and then bookmark it.
hope that helps
soulsings
Thank you so much! 🙏 I guess I’ll have to rely on browser and not the app
@Njorun1338 the browser is more versatile especially on a computer or laptop. The app is cool for times when playing with the phone is more comfortable than a computer.
@Njorun1338
Thank you for your feedback! We have pinned the post and if you regularly come to visit us in the online therapy sub-community, you'll be able to see the thread pinned at the top. I have had a look at the app and I cannot see an option for saving the thread and only an option to subscribe/unsubscribe. I will pass the feedback on to the app developers.
Very useful tips there on the web, Soul!
Welcome to 7 Cups and our online therapy sub-community. 
@LisaMeighanMBPsS thanks for your kind words and this great post on how to cope with depression. It is a valuable resource!
really helpful post
@LisaMeighanMBPsS this sounds like winter in the northern US!!!!
Feeling better today with warm weather and sunshine.
There is snow on the way Friday! WHat????????????/
Hahaha so winter goes.
Reading, coloring, writing, staying interactive with my daughter, sleeping is a huge one for me, TV, personal time with my husband, playing with our dog..overall just keeping my mind focused on something that makes me happy and helps to cope with my issues. Thank you for this!! I really needed this❤️
@DLynn88911221 glad you are finding ways to cope. That is great.