Have compiled some notes on:

DEPRESSION

It is NORMAL to be depressed sometimes
It is abnormal to be depressed all the time

SOME SYMPTOMS
Loss of interest or concentration
Suicidal thoughts
Excessive fatigue
Early morning wakefulness
Difficulty in functioning socially
Slowed down or speeded up thinking or activity

MENTAL HEALTH
Talks too much or too little
Stops communicating
Sometimes violent
Generally out of touch with reality




ONLY YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF

EXERCISE
It produces chemical and psychological changes that improve your mental health

It gives you a feeling of accomplishment and mastery

Changes levels of hormones
Elevates your beta endorphins (mood affecting brain chemicals)

NUTRITION
Vitamins and foods rich in Vitamin B
Green vegetables, fish, eggs

SOCIALIZE
Discuss your deep down feelings with people who can empathize with you

You might think people ignore you…think your way out…maybe he id not see you or was pre-occupied

If you are feeling unattractive, get a new hairstyle

If not succeeding at a job, take a course to improve skill

Plan activities that give you a sense of accomplishment
Go to concert, club, meeting or clean out cupboard

Keep friends with whom you can share joys, fun, complaints

CHECK YOUR THYROID
Depression could be due to hormonal imbalance

LOW SUGAR CAN MAKE YOU FEEL LOW

CHECK MEDICATION YOUR ARE TAKING

UPLIFTERS

1) This too shall pass
2) Life is a dream
3) Let go and Let God
4) Things could be worse and you would be as helpless
5) Do your best and Leave the rest
6) It is God’s Will
7) Music
8) Exercise
9) Drink water

10) Pick up a
11) Sutra
12) Ishta
13) Mantra
14) Sant
15) Grantha

DEPRESSION

I hear the word ‘Depression’ more often than I would like to.

I am about to share a poem from my note-book of ‘many years ago’

I think that the poem is by Patience Strong.

When depression knocks upon your door,

Don’t open it

Shoot the bolt and turn the key,

For if you should admit

The visitor into your house

You’d very soon repent

For where he is you’ll find

No hope no joy no merriment

He (Depression) has shocking manners

For he stays and stays and stays

Can’t get rid of him at all

A call may last for days

For once he’s in

He makes himself at home

And there’s no doubt

That in the end, the only thing to do

Is kick him out

So be warned-for he’s a thief

He’ll steal the things you prize

Peace and sweet contentment

In his presence beauty dies

Nothing seems to be worthwhile

He’ll wear you to a shred

Haunt you when you sit alone

And follow you to bed

If you feel that he’s about

Lock doors and windows fast

Give yourself a job to do

Until the danger’s passed

Then in time he’ll tire of seeking you without success

And will leave you free to live in perfect happiness

I also like what Jug Saraiya has written on ‘Depression’

'…shit happens life sucks. But that’s no reason to cop out. You’ve got to get on with it, fight your own Kurukshetra. We are all the ‘Walking Wounded’. The trick lies not in learning how not to get wounded, because you can’t always call the shots. The trick lies in trying to learn how to keep walking even after having been hit...'

What is depression? Why does it strike?

Depression strikes, when life does not follow ones every command (Life is not moving the way one would like it to) and one lacks faith and acceptance to 'what is' and then 'Ego' makes matters worse...

Enlightening Thoughts to increase happiness (from the Internet)

Look at the brighter side of things

Read an inspiring passage, watch a comedy, listen to relaxing uplifting music...

Pamper yourself: Buy a book, icecream...

Be where happy people are. Happiness is contagious.

Think of solutions, not problems.

Smile more often