There are plenty of blogs and videos out there about how to overcome depression (I've written a couple myself).But, what I rarely see is what contributes to...
There are plenty of blogs and videos out there about how to overcome depression (I've written a couple myself).
But, what I rarely see is what contributes to making depression worse.
This may seem odd, but I think it's time to switch things around.
For anyone going through depression, here are some things that actively deepen your depression.
Depression disrupts any routine you may have.
It keeps you from going to class or work, prevents you from exercising, seeing friends, and even getting out of bed.
If you want your depression to worsen, then a lack of regularity in your day is the way to start.
A loss of routine is great for making depression worse because it is simultaneously a loss of goal-setting.
Normally, getting up at the same time is a goal, as is going to class or work, as is any other part of your normal day.
Eliminate that routine, and you eliminate your goals, which is the same as making depression worse.
Here is another way of making depression worse.
Separate yourself from friends and family.
Being removed from other people prevents you from having fun, making meaningful connections, and instead, traps you.
Isolation also prevents you from receiving love and comfort from people who care about you and want to see you be well.
This is why it is so important to be open with your loved ones; without other people to help you see what life has to offer you're stuck with your own self-defeating thoughts.
This brings us to our last way of making depression worse.
"You are what you think."
This is particularly true of depression.
Just because you feel something, doesn't mean that feeling is right.
Our feelings are only right If we decide they are.
For instance, a common thought for people with depression is "nothing ever works out for me," or "I'm worthless." These thoughts become true by pouring energy into them.
Those thoughts begin with a feeling of sadness, disappointment, or discontent and then our minds wrongly interpret those feelings as incorrect thoughts about ourselves or the world.
Feeding into negative and self-defeating thoughts is a surefire way of making depression worse.
All those blogs about beating depression tend to say the same things over and over.
That's why this blog was aiming at presenting familiar information in a new way.
We've now discussed the 3 biggest things that contribute to making depression worse.
Lack of routine, isolation, and negative thinking are the biggest components of depression.
So, if you don't want your depression to get worse, do the opposite!
Structure your day, get around people who love you, and stop feeding into inaccurate thoughts about your emotions.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
Addressing depression is crucial because it can significantly impact your quality of life, overall well-being, and ability to function in daily activities. Left untreated, depression can lead to more severe mental health issues, relationship problems, and physical health complications.
Yes! In fact, it's encouraged that you open up to your therapist so they can gain deeper insight into your individual situation and develop the most effective treatment plan possible that works best for you. Your therapist is there to serve as an unbiased source of support who will respect any thoughts or feelings shared within the session without judgment or criticism.
If your symptoms of depression have been persistent and interfere with your daily life, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. It's also a good idea to get medical advice if you experience any thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
The duration of depression counseling varies for each individual, depending on the severity of their depression and their progress in therapy. Our therapists will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Yes! There are many effective natural remedies that may be beneficial in managing depressive symptoms, such as participating in regular physical activity, changing your diet, getting adequate sleep, practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, journaling about your feelings/thoughts/emotions, seeking out social activities/support groups with other individuals struggling with similar issues
Ignoring depression can exacerbate symptoms and make it more challenging to manage over time. This can result in a negative impact on your personal, professional, and social life, leading to feelings of isolation and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
