As it is usually characterized by an immense feeling of mood-swings, sadness, low-self confidence, assisting someone going through depression is indeed a task that cannot be carried out simply.
Nonetheless, it is safe to say the comforting news is you are perhaps the stronger one in this scenario and are thus better equipped to help someone who may be depressed.
Based on this realization, here are some tips that you could implement to assist someone who may be going through this emotional encumbrance.
Overcome negative moods and depression. Try these three suggestions below:
1. Be aware of the symptoms of depression.
• Be aware of your moods and the situations that influence them.
• Be aware of your automatic negative thoughts.
2. Answer or respond to these thoughts.
• Ask questions and challenge the assumptions behind these thoughts.
• Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones.
3. Act differently.
• Increase your positive activities.
• Decrease your involvement in unpleasant activities.
• Reward yourself for the positive steps you’re taking.
Practice Exercise
1. What are the ways that I show my depression in my moods, attitudes, and actions? What are my symptoms?
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2. What are the automatic negative thoughts that go along with my depression? What do I think
about myself, my current situation, and my world in general?
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3. What questions can I ask myself to challenge these automatic negative thoughts?
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4. What steps am I going to take to act differently? What problemsolving strategies have I come
up with to cope with my problems? What pleasant activities might I increase? What unpleasant activities might I avoid or minimize?
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