There are a lot of misconceptions about depression floating around out there. People often think it is just temporary sadness. One that will clear up after a few days. But this isn’t the full picture. Depression is just like any other physical illness. It has symptoms, a cause, and can be devastating and sometimes fatal to those who suffer from it.

There is no one direct cause of depression. It can be brought on by a number of factors. A traumatic incident, a decline in physical health, an unrelated medical issue. But what we do know is what it does to our brains. Depression rewrites the way your brain works. It changes the way you think and feel by reducing the brain’s ability to absorb serotonin, dopamine, and a number of other important hormones.

Dealing with severe depression is no easy task. But, with the right guidance it is possible. We know how hopeless it can feel when depression has a hold on you. But we hope that this guide will help you take the first steps to beating your depression.

Speak To A Medical Professional

The first step in managing your depression is to go for an appointment with a GP. This will go a long way in getting a better understanding of your depression and potentially finding out what is causing it. Often depression can be a symptom of a larger issue. Some of your symptoms might actually be related to the overlaying condition.

This is also the best avenue for getting proper medication. Modern antidepressants can be extremely useful in combating depression. Although it is important to note that they aren’t a magic fix-all. Antidepressants, while effective, require you to change a lot of other aspects of your life as well. And, in rare cases, they might not work at all. But it is definitely worth trying them.

Alternative Medications

Antidepressants aren’t the only form of medication that can help combat depression. Recent studies have shown that cannabis is very useful in managing depression. The Lyphe clinic in the UK has been conducting research into the effectiveness of CBD in dealing with severe depression, with promising results.

Most medical cannabis clinics in the UK are able to offer a prescription to help deal with depression. If you look at the Lyphe medical cannabis clinic reviews, you will see that they specialize in psychiatry which plays a huge part in combating depression. You should try to get a cannabis prescription from a clinic similar to Lyphe as these clinics will be able to help you create a wellness plan to better manage your depression.

Change Your Diet

One of the most common causes of depression in our society is actually poor diet. A majority of studies have concluded that certain foods are directly linked to an increase in cases of depression. Processed foods, fried foods, high-fat dairy products, and sweets all increase your chances of becoming depressed.

The main reason for this is that these food groups can cause inflammation throughout the body and brain. This leads to an imbalance of important hormones and restricts the body’s ability to function properly. Depression is just one major health issue that can arise from this.

You should look at getting more vegetables and fruits into your diet. Try substituting red meat for white meat and including some alternative protein sources such as nuts, natural yogurt, and seeds. Try to cut sugar out of your diet as much as possible as well. Perhaps have your tea without it or change to dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.

Therapy

Therapy is one of the most effective tools in dealing with depression. Often depression is caused by a traumatic event or incident in our life. Therapy can help us get to the root of our issues and address them in a healthy and productive fashion. Because, if these issues aren’t addressed, the bad feelings will fester which leads to depression.

There are many different forms of therapy. The most typical form is talking therapy. This is where you simply talk through your issues with a therapist. This is a fantastic method for getting to the root of your issues and also gives your mind a chance to unload a lot of the mental blockage it is experiencing.

Art therapy is another great option for those who don’t find talking therapy effective. Art therapy can be any artistic endeavor. Painting, writing, singing, dancing, pottery. Often the therapist will have you create something associated with a specific thought or feeling you are having. This will help you connect better with your unconscious mind and can both boost your mood while also relieving a lot of mental tension.