When Our Loved Ones Experience "Compassion Fatigue"I've had depression and anxiety for 20 years. Almost 5 years ago, I went inpatient for 6 weeks because I was suicidal, severely depressed, self-harming, and abusing my anxiety medication...Reactions0reactions
Coping Tools for Depression: Take Our Polls!Depression sucks. And it can feel like an uphill battle trying to find ways to cope. Tools, techniques, therapies... There's a lot out there. So where do you even begin?...Reactions0reactions
Ketamine Treatment for DepressionKetamine is a type of psychedelic drug that has been used in anesthesia for decades. Recently, it has grown in popularity as a treatment option for people with treatment-resistant depression...Reactions0reactions
"Self-care" Isn’t Just a Buzzword (and No, a Spa Day Doesn't Cure Depression)I've lived with depression for most of my life. It is a vicious disease, capable of draining you to the core. If you live with depression, you may be well...Reactions0reactions
Virtual TherapyTomorrow morning, I have an appointment with my psychologist. Earlier this week, I had an appointment with my psychiatrist. Luckily for me, I do not have to leave my house...Reactions0reactions
Five Ways Your Therapist Can Meet You Where You AreIf you're someone living with depression and working on finding the right therapist for you, here are some things to look for. These are some telltale signs that your therapist...Reactions0reactions
When I Go Off My Meds...As a person recovering from addiction, I was both aroused and suspicious when I was first prescribed an antidepressant. Aroused because the addict in me wondered if I would get...Reactions0reactions
Depression and Eating DisordersAn eating disorder is a mental health problem where you use food to deal with your emotions or to handle different situations. Instead of eating when you are hungry, you...Reactions0reactions
Release Me: Depression and Loss of ControlWhat is the biggest depression-related hurdle to accomplishing your goals in your everyday life? Every person has a different answer to that question, as major depressive disorder (MDD) is intensely...Reactions0reactions
People Don't Fake Depression, They Fake Being HappyI've been mentally ill for decades, and there have been some dark days. So dark I had to be hospitalized for 6 weeks for my depression and suicidal ideation (plus...Reactions0reactions
What Is EMDR, and Is It Good for Depression?If you live with depression, you may have experienced traumatic and stressful life events. These painful events can cause feelings of low self-worth, loneliness, and despair. You may think the...Reactions0reactions
How I Prioritize Dealing With My DepressionWe are all so busy in our daily lives that sometimes we do not take the time to slow down and look after ourselves enough. At least that has been...Reactions0reactions
Medication Management of My Major Depressive DisorderOver the years, I have tried a variety of medications to manage my major depressive disorder. It has been such a long journey. Even my psychiatrist has commented recently that...Reactions0reactions
Chronic Pain and DepressionI've been sad and anxious for most of my life. That's not an inherently negative statement, it's just the truth about my reality. My home life was toxic and dysfunctional...Reactions0reactions
Depression, Anger, and Processing Emotions in TherapyWhen I was last in any sort of sustained individual treatment, I worked with Dr. Lev*, a psychiatrist who specialized in borderline personality disorder. She utilized a treatment called transference-focused...Reactions0reactions
Drinking Your DepressionStep 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, and that our lives had become unmanageable. For many of us, depression has a deadly consort: substance abuse. There's no use...Reactions0reactions
I Think We're Alone Now: Isolating With DepressionMy friends and family often ask me why I don't go out more often. They know, after many years of knowing my mental health struggles, that I feel uplifted and...Reactions0reactions
Recognizing Signs of a Downward Spiral (and Tips for Not Falling Into It)When you have had major depressive disorder for as long as I have, it becomes easier to recognize the signs when things are going in the wrong direction. I like...Reactions0reactions
4 Methods for Managing Housework with DepressionIt is raining outside, which means my body physically hurts. So, I am sitting on the couch with my dogs. Unfortunately, I feel completely overwhelmed. The phrase "when it rains...Reactions0reactions
A Depression Diagnosis: It's Not "All In Your Head"Depression chooses its victims. The condition will rob them of their joy and steal every moment of their happiness. As a young teenager, I could not understand why I could...Reactions0reactions