What is Depression?
Recovery
The relationship between sleep and depression is complex, with sleep problems leading to depression and depression leading to sleep problems. What is known is that 80% of people with depression also have sleep problems. Then, lack of sleep leads to a downward spiral where you experience fatigue, inactivity and an increase in depressed mood. Sleep medication can help in the short-term, but it is not considered a long-term solution. There are a remarkable number of online resources devoted to helping you address your sleep problems, but the first step is knowing how important it is and the second is adopting an attitude of persistence – it won’t be easy, but celebrating small victories will help you see progress.
Recovery means living a meaningful and healthy life – despite the challenges of a mental illness.
For the newly diagnosed, this positive prospect may, however, seem out of reach.
It is now much more widely accepted that people can and do recover. In a recent survey of 1587 Canadians, it was found that 72% saw depression as a serious, but treatable illness.
Recovery from depression has the same steps that recovery from other illnesses have.
- Go for help
- Get a diagnosis (this IS depression)
- Develop a plan of treatment that is tailored to your needs
- Educate yourself
- Empower yourself to be a partner in your own treatment
- Take control of your life
As one of the primary symptoms of depression is hopelessness, it will at first seem impossible to find hope. At the beginning of treatment, it can be helpful to talk with someone who’s “been there”. Someone who has struggled with their own depression knows about the steps to recovery, the possible set-backs you may encounter and what it is like to believe that the darkness will never lift – until, one day, it does. They can tell you, from experience, that things will get better. As you engage with your treatment team, you will gradually become more and more active in decision-making about what is and is not working for you. This feedback is essential for your treatment professionals. Knowing what medication suits you, seeking therapy, educating yourself about your illness, and if it is for you, participating in a self-help group are all ingredients in recovery – as are other choices that may be particular to your individual needs and circumstances.
