The vicious cycle of depression wa health

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the vicious cdyecpleroefssion

The symptoms of depression can bring about some drastic changes in a depressed person's life, daily routines, and their behaviour. Often it is these changes that makes the depression worse and prevents the depressed person from getting better.

For example, a lack of motivation or a lack of energy can result in a depressed person cutting back on their activities, neglecting their daily tasks and responsibilities, and leaving decision-making to others. Have you noticed these changes in yourself when you are depressed?

You may find that you have become less and less active, don't go out much anymore, avoid hanging out with friends, and stopped engaging in your favourite activity. When this happens, you have become locked in the vicious cycle of depression, which might look like this:

tackling your list of tasks and responsibilities, but doing it in a realistic and achievable way, so that you set yourself up to succeed.

Becoming more active has a number of advantages: Activity helps you to feel better Activity helps you to feel less tired Activity can help you think more clearly

When the depression cycle is broken, it will look like this:

Reversing The Vicious Cycle of Depression

Increased Activity

The Vicious Cycle of Depression

Increased guilt, hopelessness, ineffectiveness

Depression

Low energy, fatigue, decreased interest

Greater energy & motivation

Feeling hopeful, more confident, less guilty

Improved Depression

Decreased activity, neglect of

responsibilities

When your activity level decreases, you may become even less motivated and more lethargic. When you stop doing the things you used to love, you miss out on experiencing pleasant feelings and positive experiences. Your depression could get worse.

Similarly, when one begins neglecting a few tasks and responsibilities at work or at home, the list may begin to pile up. As such, when a depressed person thinks about the things they have to do, they may feel overwhelmed by the pile of things they have put off doing. This may result in them feeling guilty or thinking that they are ineffective or even, a failure. This will also worsen the depression.

Here's a list of possible fun things to do. You can add your own to this list.

1. Soaking in the bathtub 2. Collecting things (coins, shells, etc.) 3. Going for a day trip 4. Going to see a comedy at the movies 5. Going to the beach 6. Playing squash/tennis/badminton 7. Having a barbecue at the park 8. Going for a walk, jog, or hike 9. Listening to uplifting music 10. Gardening

Try some of them out and evaluate how you feel before and after the activity. Chances are, you'll find that you'll feel a little better. The important thing is to persist ? keeping your activity levels up is the first step to breaking out of that vicious cycle!

Reversing the Vicious Cycle of Depression The second step is to look at how thinking patterns

One of the ways of breaking the vicious cycle of is

contribute to the vicious cycle of depression. The

through the use of medication. Medication such as

"Improving how you feel" information sheet starts to look

antidepressants can help change your energy level and

more closely at this.

improve sleep. Another way is to increase your activity

level, especially in pleasurable activities and

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