You know there’s something wrong, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. If you were just sad, shouldn’t you feel better by now?
Depression is a sneaky mental health condition. It can develop under the radar and masquerade as “feeling blue.” But if you suspect even a hint of depression, there’s no time to waste. Left unchecked, mental health issues can wreak havoc on your overall well-being.
That’s why Dr. Michael Skardasis offers health coaching at Optimal Performance Medicine in Woodstock, Georgia, and prioritizes our comprehensive depression services. In this blog, we cover some of the best first steps you should take if you suspect that you’re depressed.
Depression isn’t a battle you should fight on your own. If you’re feeling the clouds of depression rolling in, your first step should be to seek out a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes, that’s enough to help you deal with your feelings and get some perspective.
We also encourage you to seek out support groups with people who also struggle with depression. It’s incredible what shared experience can do for your mental and emotional health.
You should also strongly consider seeking help from a medical professional and depression specialist like Dr. Skardasis.
If you ever have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or others, don’t wait for an appointment with us. Get immediate medical help from your local emergency department or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
We get it. Depression can weigh so heavily that any thought of physical activity gets squashed. However, exercise — even if it's just a few minutes — is one of the most effective mood boosters. Regular exercise can be just as effective as antidepressant medication.
The best news is you don’t have to go far or spend much money to reap the benefits. Lace up your sneakers and take a brisk walk around your neighborhood, find a video workout series you can do in the comfort of your home, play with your pets and kids, dance in the kitchen, or start a stretching or yoga routine — anything that gets your body moving counts.
There’s a reason mental health issues rear their ugly heads most often during the dark winter months. Sunshine is a natural serotonin booster, and serotonin is your body’s built-in mood lifter. Do your best to get at least 15 minutes of natural light exposure a day to get a daily dose of serotonin.
When your daily life is chaotic, it’s tough to focus on your mental and emotional health. Many of our patients have found that establishing a basic routine for the day helps to keep overwhelming depression at bay.
Practicing mindfulness and gratitude is another great way to reframe your negative thoughts and shift your perspective away from depression. Start a journal or a note in your phone and jot down the things you’re grateful for that make you happy. You can refer back to your list when depression and feelings of helplessness creep back in.
Hobbies are excellent ways to reduce stress, boost mood, and increase creativity. They can be as simple as writing in a journal or drawing a picture or as involved as starting a garden or learning to play an instrument.
Mental health issues often keep people in isolation. We encourage you to break out of that and connect more with your community. Reach out to your friends and family, find a local religious institution you’d like to be a part of, join support groups — do whatever you can to surround yourself with people who love you and will encourage positivity and hope in your life.
Drugs and alcohol can fuel depression and other mental health issues. We strongly encourage you to take the necessary steps to stop using drugs and alcohol. If you need help quitting, we can connect you with professionals who specialize in overcoming substance abuse.
Therapy can be a powerful tool in your journey through depression. Your therapist creates a personalized action plan that includes coping mechanisms, lifestyle changes, and other strategies for dealing with mental health problems.
Dr. Skardasis may prescribe antidepressant medication. We offer genetic testing to learn how you metabolize different depression medications. A simple cheek swab is all we need to test for possible roadblocks to effective treatment. When we get your results, we can help you find the most appropriate therapy based on your genetic makeup.
If you think you’re depressed, we’re here for you. Contact Optimal Performance Medicine today to schedule an appointment.
