Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

Challenging Worry

HelpPlease

2024-04-15 2:59 PM

Depression Community

logo

Hello

Linda Q

2024-04-11 5:06 AM

Anxiety Community

logo

Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-08 3:54 PM

Managing Drinking Community

logo

New Year's Resolutions

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-03-25 2:47 AM

Managing Drinking Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Browse through 411.747 posts in 47.053 threads.

160,458 Members

Please welcome our newest members: jrawrz, AMARIAH BETTINA, HelpPlease, Nallemor, Snaffums

Planning for the Return of Depression II


11 years ago 0 11212 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
As we’ve discussed, if you’ve been depressed once, you’re at increased risk for having another episode of depression. This is probably because stress and depression affect the brain and change how the brain responds to stress. First episodes of depression often follow a very stressful life event while later episodes seem to be triggered by more minor life events. Even if you’re feeling a lot better right now, you may be more vulnerable to stress than you were before you got depressed. The solution is to use CBT techniques to help you manage the stress in your life, even when you’re not depressed!

If you find it helpful, you can use this program for as long as you want, and you can always refer to your Session Diary. We’ll save your Session Diary so you can come back to re-read the information and your session results. You can always come back for more information or more practice.

You don’t notice the early warning signs of depression soon enough
It’s important for you to recognize the early warning signs of depression and to start using the CBT techniques that worked for you in the past sooner, rather than later. If you wait too long, or wait until your depression gets worse, it’ll be harder for you to dig yourself out.

Recognize your early warning signs of depression and have a plan for what you’re going to do if you think that you’re starting to get depressed. Common early warning signs include changes in sleeping and eating, social withdrawal, anger and irritability. What are you going to do if you notice the early warning signs of depression?

You experience a major stressful life event that sets you back
If you experience a major setback such as the loss of a loved one, or your job, or if a relationship ends badly, you may experience a temporary return of depression and a worsening of your symptoms.

Anticipating the return of depression and a worsening of your symptoms will allow you to plan for what you’re going to do if it happens. We have a number of suggestions for what you should do if you experience a setback.
 
Ashley, Health Educator

Reading this thread: