Clinical depression can a very debilitating disease. I know. I was diagnosed with it six years ago. Its symptoms include sleep disorders (both insomnia and sleeping too much), lethargy, feelings of being worthless, helplessness, guilt, and self-hate. (DivineCaroline has a great article posted by Fishergirl detailing the symptoms and diagnosis of clinical depression, Depression and Major Depression.) At times it becomes very hard to live normally through the day or even function. Sometimes it feels impossible to function at all. I have had bouts where putting a load of laundry into the washer was too overwhelming, let alone trying to write and find places to publish my work. Dragging yourself into the shower can be too much work, let alone putting the amount of thought and energy into what to cook for dinner that night. Normal life just seems to be way beyond what you can do when clinical depression rears its ugly head. But there are things you can do to help you live with clinical depression and not just survive it.
The first thing is keep to your regular routines and schedules. For me these are the hardest things to do, especially getting up at the same time everyday. But getting up at the same time everyday, showering, going to work, cooking, exercising, and other daily activities help your brain perceive things as ‘normal’ and can help you maintain order in you life. One of the biggest lies clinically depressed people believe is that we have no control over our lives. Maintaining control over some of the little things in life can help us combat that lie.
The second way we can manage depression is to exercise. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain that give you a more optimistic outlook on life and make you feel good. Walking, running, swimming, and other forms of exercise can help your brain see the world in a different way. Many people suffering from depression (me included) have also been helped by yoga with its combination of movement, breathing and meditation.
