Tuesday, January 22, 2013

How to Help a Depressed Man and Keep Your Relationship Strong

By Cheryl P. Rivera


People suffering from a major depressive disorder will know how much a mood swing can disrupt their day. A state of low mood can make a person feel sad, worried, irritable, and helpless. It can manifest as an aversion to activity or as lethargy.Feeling down now and then is normal, but you may have a problem if you are stuck in an endless cycle of bad moods and self-destructive behaviours. Depression is a common mood disorder, and sufferers need to know that they are not alone. There are a number of treatments, medications, and methods to treat and alleviate depression symptoms.

What is Depression? There are several depressive illnesses. The three most common disorders include major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. They have their own distinctions, but all are similar because they affect a person's overall mood, attitude, emotions, and general productivity.Major Depressive Disorder-this illness manifests itself through several symptoms.These symptoms often interfere with the sufferer's daily life and his or her ability to study, eat, sleep, and work. Most sufferers might go through a severe episode only once, but some people experience them more than one.People who suffer from chronic major depression have to undergo indefinite treatment and intuitive counselling.

One man may throw himself into a favorite hobby whereas a workaholic may become more dependent upon work ...while ignoring his relationships.Men may show typical signs of depression, too, such as, feelings of fatigue and burn-out, sleep disturbances and decreased libido. Thought patterns may change; men may think more negatively and perceive the world in darker, more threatening ways. This can be a subtle change. Depressed men may start feeling anxious and worried, and respond poorly to daily problems or stress at work or home, either over reacting or under-reacting.Men may not discuss the way they are feeling with anyone, and may not recognize the changes themselves. As a result of societal conditioning, they tend not to talk about their stress with their friends, unlike women, who tend to get support from other women.And the impact their depression can have on their family life and primary relationships is often nothing short of devastating.

Symptoms of Depression.There are different signs and symptoms, and they may vary from one person to another. They include: Sadness,Frustration over trivial matters,Lack of interest in normal activities,Excessive sleeping or loss of sleep,A reduced sex drive,Drastic appetite change,Indecisiveness,Fatigue,Crying spells,Unexplained physical problems,Distractibility,Guilt,Thoughts of death.How Can Intuitive Counselling Help? Depression symptoms, unlike other diseases, do not get better over time. Your symptoms may worsen if left untreated. It may be difficult to seek treatment, but there are effective options that can help, like intuitive counselling.An intuitive counsellor will help you come to terms with your problems and understand yourself more. He or she will do this by helping you "listen" to your body, mind, emotion, and spirit. Working with these aspects will allow you to understand what is happening, what is causing the problem, and how to get rid of it.Working with a skilled intuitive counselling practitioner will help you alleviate depression symptoms and gradually bring your energy and positive outlook back.

Second, if you know someone the depressed man knows and respects, such as his father, pastor or best friend, suggest that he talk to that person. Or, you may enlist the help of a family member or close friend who has his ear.Third, try to get him to see his doctor (or yours), and encourage him to talk to his doctor about his depressed feelings (maybe he needs to go for other reasons, too). The physician can make a referral for counseling or prescribe helpful anti-depressant medication, if needed.

This is partly due to hormonal factors, especially when having premenstrual syndrome, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopausal depression. It is a serious matter and should not be taken for granted. A depressed woman will have disrupted daily activities and relationships with others, and these could be detrimental for her health. A depressed woman would show several symptoms including:

The benefits of exercise include:Increased self-confidence,Satisfaction in achieving goals,Less time to think about worries and concerns which are a major component of anxiety and depression,The chance to engage in more social contact with others to lift your mood,Doing something positive and enjoyable to guide you away from negative thoughts and feelings.The word 'exercise' may strike fear into some people as they imagine themselves having to run a marathon race. However this is certainly not the case, as there are several much less strenuous and more enjoyable activities to choose from such as:walking,fishing,playing a team sport,getting together with a group for a card game,volunteering at a local community centre,washing the car,gardening

It is not necessary to dive headlong into a strict exercise routine. It's more important to find activities that suit your circumstances and your interests. For example: If you were out shopping and were faced with the option of taking the elevator or stairs, just take the stairs to incorporate a little more exercise into your day. Perhaps if you were going to the shops, you could park your car a couple of blocks away and walk the rest of the way there. Take the dog for a walk to the park, or if you don't have a dog, borrow the neighbors! They'll love you for such a kind gesture, and so will the dog.There are so many people walking around with depression but they do not go and ask for help. This can be for a variety of reasons. Fear of the unknown is one of them. This is actually so unnecessary. Why walk around with a symptom if you can be cured of it? Remember that depression does not only affect you but it actually affects the people around you as well. So it is important to tackle this issue together. Emotional support during a depression battle is vital. You must discern whether you want to opt for self help for depression treatments or medical treatments.

Also, long-term depression can keep a relationship down. It is difficult for the non-depressed spouse to keep a positive attitude when he/she has to deal with an unhappy, sad or anxious spouse who has been depressed for a long time. Frequently, the spouse of the depressed person will blame himself/herself or interpret the depressed spouse's actions as a rejection.

Never isolate yourself. Isolation will not help your depression. You need to be in contact with people you trust while you are going through treatment. This will greatly enhance your chances to overcome depression.Other aspects that are vital to remember include the following:You need a balanced diet. There is a very definitive connection between depression and eating habits. The healthier you eat the cleaner your body will be and the better you will feel. This is a decision you will have to make. It takes discipline and rewards of this discipline will come back to you in multiples.If you are sleep deprived you will struggle to overcome depression symptoms. A good nights sleep goes a long way. Make sure you have a mattress that sleeps well. If you think about it, you spend a third of your life in bed (8 hours of sleep per 24 hour cycle).If you do not exercise, your body cannot produce endorphins. These endorphins help a lot to overcome depression. These 3 points mentioned here are also excellent self help for depression tips.There is a way out and you can be cured. Just make a decision that you will get out of this depression rut and it will be so.




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