How to Cope With Depression While Grieving
Coping with depression while grieving is a challenging task that requires consistent management to ensure recovery. Experiencing grief after a loss is a "normal" reaction, as defined by The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), but for the individual with a clinical diagnosis of depression, it can trigger a major depressive episode. It is important to become familiar with the process of grief and work through the phases by applying coping skills that will expedite recovery.Things You'll Need
- Book on coping skills
- Book on grief
- Therapist
- Gym access
- Daily planner
- Daily food pyramid
Instructions
How to Cope With Depression While Grieving
Go to the local library or book store and get books on coping skills and grief. Understanding any issue is the first step for creating a strategy for management.
Schedule a meeting with a therapist who specializes in issues related to grief. The cognitive-behavioral orientation is effective with short-term treatments that will help with grief causes by a specific incident. For information on cognitive-behavioral therapy or on how to find a therapist in your area that specializes in grief, contact the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Increase physical activity to at least thirty minutes per day to increase psychological well being. If there is a medical condition that needs to be taken into consideration, consult with a physician before beginning any new exercise routine.
Schedule at least one hour per day for an activity that has been mastered and brings a sense of pleasure. Partaking in this activity is designed to trigger thoughts and feelings of positivity, will provide distraction from the subject of grief, and a feeling of accomplishment.
Eating a balanced diet promotes overall health and well being. Print out a copy of the My Pyramid food pyramid as a visual aid, and then modify diet to reflect healthy standards as suggested by the FDA.