Occupational Therapy for Depression: Regaining Balance & Well-being

Whether the individual is on antidepressant medication or not, Occupational Therapy (OT) is a great practice for overcoming a variety of problems. Occupational Therapy (OT) helps the depressed individual understand and utilize his inner resources. By learning to make healthy choices - sometimes with the goal of embodying a positive role - the individual will take steps toward achieving a more balanced and happy life.

Professional Help And Meds

• A medical professional determines whether or not an individual needs medications. If deciding to prescribe, she may also deem that the individual needs therapy, sometimes Occupational Therapy - as the meds may only alleviate some of the suffering while the individual works through his problems.

Depression

• Depression effects millions of people every year. OT helps the depressed individual by showing him how to make choices specific to overcoming his problem, and sometimes, by pointing to a positive role (such as being a more active mom) for the individual to work toward.

Getting Up and Out

• A person so debilitated by his depression, that she can't even get out of bed in the morning, might make it a point - through the help of an Occupational Therapist or not - to get up and out (even if only for five minutes)

Baby Steps

• No choice is too small when debilitated. If getting out of bed is too hard for the individual, she might decide that she'll try brushing her hair in bed.

Being Good To Herself

• Feeling guilty about an inability to perform simple functions may only decrease the little energy she has. Imagine the toddler who takes his first step, then another, and then he's walking, and then later, jogging, then running, then riding a bike, and driving. It all started with that first step.