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Thriving with Depressive Disorder: Tips for Success

Updated: Oct 3, 2024





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What is Depressive Disorder?


Depressive disorder, also known as depression, is different from regular mood changes and feelings of everyday life. It is much more than feeling unhappy as there is a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time.


Depressive disorder is a common but serious mood disorder that can be temporary or long term. The causes vary but some include brain chemistry, trauma, and family history. Symptoms are severe and can affect all aspects of life, from thoughts to how they go about daily activities (ex. sleep, eat, or work) to relationships.


There are many types of depressive disorders with some developing due to specific circumstances. Different types include: major depression, persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia/dysthymic disorder), perinatal depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and depression with symptoms of psychosis.


National Institute of Mental Health

Healthline


Inspiring Stories


Sometimes what can help us better understand ourselves or someone else who is experiencing depression is reading about the stories of others. These stories talk about their journey going through life with depression and their recovery process.




Management Tips


Psychotherapy: also known as therapy or counseling

  • Most last for a short time

  • Focuses on thoughts, feelings, and issues happening currently for the person

  • Some cases: Understanding past cna help 

  • Finding ways to address current situations and helping the person cope and prepare for future challenges. 


Medication: 

  • Taking prescribed medications called antidepressants can help improve mood and coping skills

  • Need to talk to doctor about it to see if it is for you or not

  • Takes some time for it to start working 


Exercising: 

  • Exercise and physical activity can help to reduce symptoms of depression as well as improve energy levels 

  • Set small goals that are easy to accomplish even when you feel like you may not have the energy to do things


Spend time with loved ones:

  • Depression can cause a person to isolate themselves and withdraw from others

  • Remind oneself there are people who care about you 

  • Face to face interactions can feel less isolated

  • Talking with loved ones about how you are feeling can also help as things can feel very heavy when one is bottling up their emotions

  • Loved ones can support and help find resources for you


Practicing good sleep hygiene: 

  • Try to sleep and get up at around the same time everyday

  • Give yourself at least 30 minutes to wind down before bedtime


CDC

Healthline

BetterHealth Channel   


Caregiver Tips


Recognize: Knowing the signs and symptoms of depression to help recognize when your child or family member may be experiencing depression


Listen carefully: Hear what they have to say without judgement 


Create a positive environment at home: Allow home to be a place where they feel relaxed and supported by telling them that you love them or get involved with their favourite activities with them


Take care of yourself: It is important to also take care of yourself while helping your child or family member and recognizing when you may need some extra support 


UNICEF for every child





Support Groups other than 'Thriving Beyond Diagnosis'


Support groups are a place where people are able to share their personal stories and express emotions in an environment that is accepting, understanding, and encouraging. Together, members of the group learn ways to problem-solve and cope with the challenges of life.


Hope and Me - Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

They are an organization to help people diagnosed with mood disorders, their friends and family. They offer peer recovery programs, drop-in groups, workshops, counseling servicies, and much more. Furthermore, they offer services inperson as well as online.


Mood Disorders Society of Canada

Conduct research regarding mood disorders and has lots of links to support groups and related things under support their support section. Resources for not only within Canada but also for other countries.


Strides Toronto

Toronto lead mental health agency for infant, children and youth mental health serving people under 29 and their families. They offer free support services and will connect you with other agencies if they do not have the support or resources for you. Furthermore, they offer walk-in counselling services both online and inperson and has accessible services such as interpreters, wheelchair and stroller access, and ttc access.


Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

These hubs are safe spaces created for youths and young adults aged 12 to 25 to meet others and receive mental health services. Services provided are free and does not require a health care. Some supports offered include counselling, care navigation, peer support, and many more.


Although there is currently no cure for depression, there are many different treatment options to help make it more manageable. Between 80% to 90% of people with depression see improvements in their symptoms or have symptoms disappear with treatment. It is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. With that said, sometimes it requires one to try different treatment options to find the one that works for them. 


Transformations Care Network



Resources

Please note, if you or a loved one’s safety is at risk, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.


Kids Help Phone 

Free anonymous and confidential 24 hour, 7 days a week crisis support line for young people with resources on their website to learn more about mental health. Under "Search programs near me" section, you can find community resources within Canada closes to you. Lastly, under "Connect with other youths", they have an online forum for youths to share their experiences and feelings.


Number: 1-800-668-6868

Text: text CONNECT to 686868


988: Suicide Crisis Helpline  

988 is the Suicide Crisis Helpline for anyone within Canada and is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Calls and texts are confidential but not anonymous. When reaching out to 988, trained responders will be there to listen, provide support and understanding, and share resources that may help you.


Number: 988

Text: 988


Reach Out

It is a confidential mental health and addictions support and service line for those living in Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and London Ontario. However anyone within Ontario is free to use their services. They offer call, text, and web chat services which will connect you with a professional who is a trained mental health and/pr addictions worker.


Number: 519-433-2023 and 1-866-933-2023

Text: 519-433-2023


Find a Helpline

Require helplines outside of Canada? This website has helplines for many different areas!


Medical News Today


There are many more resources out there for people with depressive disorder. To search up resources near you, use this format, "Resources for depression in (your city)".


References


(n.d.). Hope + Me. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from https://hopeandme.org/


Depression - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Depression - treatment and management. (n.d.). Better Health Channel. Retrieved August

17, 2024, from


Everything You Need To Know About Joining A Support Group. (n.d.). Transformations Care

Network. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Find a Helpline. (n.d.). Suicide Hotlines & Crisis Helplines | Free, 24/7 Chat, Text & Phone.

Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Goga, J. K. (2024, June 14). Is Ketamine Addictive When Used for Depression? Healthline.

Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


HealthAffairs. (2021, November). Opening Up About My Struggle With Recurring

Depression. HealthAffairs. Retrieved August 16, 2024, from


Juby, B. (n.d.). How to Cope With Depression Naturally: 22 Things to Try. Healthline.

Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Kids Help Phone. (n.d.). Kids Help Phone: Get support with these mental health resources.

Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Kilcoyne, K. (2024, February 6). Rising Above My Story of Depression and Anxiety. Anxiety

and Depression Association of America, ADAA. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Legg, T. J. (2020, May 6). Can you cure depression? Treatment and alternative therapies.

MedicalNewsToday. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Max’s story of recovery from depression. (2023, April 24). SAMHSA. Retrieved August 17,

2024, from


Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety | Overviews of Diseases/Conditions |

Tips From Former Smokers. (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


988. (n.d.). Suicide Crisis Helpline: Get Help | 9-8-8. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Strides Toronto. (n.d.). Strides Toronto: Homepage. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Supporting children with depression, stress and anxiety. (2023, February 13). UNICEF.

Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Support Links – Mood Disorders Society of Canada. (2024, April 11). Mood Disorders Society

of Canada. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from


Youth Hubs. (n.d.). Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario: Home. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from



 
 
 

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