Depression can be caused by specific life events, such as losing a loved one, but others experience depression symptoms without having an obvious cause. In addition, research has shown that there is no single cause of depression, but it can be influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. If you have experienced any depression symptoms for more than two weeks, please see a mental health professional. These symptoms include: persistent sad/anxious feelings, thoughts of suicide, losing interest in activities that you normally enjoyed doing, having difficulty sleeping or sleeping all the time, etc. Do not be discouraged if you have any or multiple symptoms. With immediate help from a doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health counselor, you will be surrounded by those who are specialized in this area and they can help you get into a routine, set goals, and help you feel better.
Begin making a mood journal to record how you’re thinking and feeling, and include dates and times. This is meant to track your emotions and recognize warning signs of strong emotions, which is helpful for therapists and doctors to diagnose any possible disorders and develop a treatment plan for you. Other alternatives to keeping a mood journal is by downloading apps on your phone that assist in tracking your mood. Some apps include: MoodPanda, BeatingBipolar, Optimism Program, and Emotion Sense. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-keep-mood-journal
Try your best to practice eating well, doing light to moderate exercise each day, and maintaining a good sleep schedule. Try meditation and breathing exercises, going outdoors for a couple of hours each day, and listing three things you are grateful for daily. Compiling a list of everything you are grateful for is a powerful tool. Sometimes we only focus on the things that are going wrong in our life and a gratitude list reminds us of all the things that are going right.
It’s amazing that you are beginning to recognize your symptoms and patterns. You will get through this! Below, I’ve included some more articles that you can read:
Hi there,
Depression can be caused by specific life events, such as losing a loved one, but others experience depression symptoms without having an obvious cause. In addition, research has shown that there is no single cause of depression, but it can be influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. If you have experienced any depression symptoms for more than two weeks, please see a mental health professional. These symptoms include: persistent sad/anxious feelings, thoughts of suicide, losing interest in activities that you normally enjoyed doing, having difficulty sleeping or sleeping all the time, etc. Do not be discouraged if you have any or multiple symptoms. With immediate help from a doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health counselor, you will be surrounded by those who are specialized in this area and they can help you get into a routine, set goals, and help you feel better.
Begin making a mood journal to record how you’re thinking and feeling, and include dates and times. This is meant to track your emotions and recognize warning signs of strong emotions, which is helpful for therapists and doctors to diagnose any possible disorders and develop a treatment plan for you. Other alternatives to keeping a mood journal is by downloading apps on your phone that assist in tracking your mood. Some apps include: MoodPanda, BeatingBipolar, Optimism Program, and Emotion Sense. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-keep-mood-journal
https://positivepsychology.com/mood-charts-track-your-mood/#:~:text=This%20is%20why%20mood%20journals,possible%20causes%20for%20such%20changes.
https://www.lifehack.org/875824/mood-journal
https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-is-mood-journal-and-why-should-you-keep-one-includes-video/
Try your best to practice eating well, doing light to moderate exercise each day, and maintaining a good sleep schedule. Try meditation and breathing exercises, going outdoors for a couple of hours each day, and listing three things you are grateful for daily. Compiling a list of everything you are grateful for is a powerful tool. Sometimes we only focus on the things that are going wrong in our life and a gratitude list reminds us of all the things that are going right.
It’s amazing that you are beginning to recognize your symptoms and patterns. You will get through this! Below, I’ve included some more articles that you can read:
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression-treatment-management
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/treatment/
https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression
Best,
Jennie