Making the Most of Depression Remission
Depression remission can be brief, lasting mere days. If you're lucky, depression remission can last weeks or months before a depression relapse occurs. It is important when your depression is in remission, to make the most of it. Here's how I do it.
I live with chronic depression and often teeter on the thin line between unipolar depression and bipolar depression. I cycle from low and high quite frequently so I know how fleeting remission can be. That's why it's so important to capitalize on those times when your head is above water.
Know Your Level of Depression and Remission
When I'm suffering a depression low, it's hard to to think about, or concentrate on, anything. It's important to be cognizant of where you are on the depression scale. Being aware of your level of depression can give it a little context, something that can be measured.
The easiest thing is to measure your depression on a scale from 1 to 10. Every morning I ask myself where I am on the scale. For me (and yours may be different), anything above a 5 is remission. And boy-oh-boy, when I sense that I'm in remission, I do everything I can to keep that number climbing (Practice Positivity To Attain Depression Remission).
Let's face it, when you're down in the 1, 2, or even 3 range, it's pretty tough, if not impossible, to be aware of anything let alone asking/answering yourself what your depression is like. But, when you are able to ask, and more importantly when you can answer, it's time to get down to the business of getting up.
Prepare a Feel-Better Go-To List for Depression Remission
When I hit 4 on my scale, I consult my feel-better go-to list. I may not be quite ready, at level 4, to act upon any of the items, but even thinking about them can start me feeling hopeful. And when hope starts to infiltrate your depression, remission is right around the corner (Mental Illness And The Importance of Hope).
Some things on my feel-better list:
- Read!
- Gardening.
- Visit with friends.
- Sit outside.
- Listen to music.
- Enjoy a glass of wine.
These are just a few of mine. What's on your feel-better go-to list? Have you got one? If you don't, try it. Start with just one item, then see if you can bump it up to two... then three, and so on.
Depression Remission Video
Depression remission is a blessing. Nurture it and make the most of when it happens.
Photo by adamr, courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
APA Reference
Scott, L.
(2014, April 27). Making the Most of Depression Remission, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 21 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/copingwithdepression/2014/04/making-the-most-of-depression-remission
Author: Liana M. Scott
My partner has difficulty with the roller coaster of mood swings. I have hhad a lot of negativiyy with people feeling like i bring tjem down so dont like yo b sround me when i am below a five. Which is often. For tjis reason i try to keep my depression to myself or stay away from people. How can I make it easier on other people.
I cycle a lot. Never had online help. I've suffering with panic attacks since I left the hospital to revamp my medications. Can you guys helf?
Michelle, I just read this and noticed your reference to the Xanax. Are you ok?
Even when I'm feeling "up" I find it hard to think of anything that really makes me happy. I'm not up right now, about a 2 on your scale. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. All I want to do when I feel the "blob" (my name for my depression) is coming I just want to cave....hide in my room, lights off, and lay in bed. The blob is currently hovering over me...there is nothing good I can think of, besides a big bottle of Xanax that is staring at me.
Hi Michelle. Wow... it's amazing how we all have our own "words" for our depression. You say "blob"... I say "dip" or "dive" - all reminiscent of my head going below the water line I suppose. I know so very well how it feels to be at a "2". Firstly, and this one was tough for me - go easy on yourself! Next, and depending on where you live, try to go outside and sit in the sun. This one's tough, especially when you only want to stay in bed. But the fresh air and the sun, especially, will help. If you have a pet - take them with you. If you have a dog, take it for a walk. Small things. Small steps. Hugs.
Thank you, I go up and down a fair bit and yes, I agree, actually doing something that makes me feel good does lift things. Like you, I also know I am doing well when I am able to read! :-) I like the idea of scaling from 1-10.
Hi Ruby. I'm glad my suggestion about scaling helps. I'm a 7 today. Pretty good. Hope you're more up then down today. Hugs.
Just a quick question, do you think that a glass of wine is a good way to "celebrate" an positive mood? I know that it is contraindicated with most psychiatric medications and ill-advised for people with depression because it is, after all, a depressant. Personally, because of my specific diagnoses and medications, I abstain completely but I know plenty of anxious and/or depressed people that do drink. I just always wonder if the best prescription wouldn't be to avoid booze altogether considering that it can be a game of mental health Russian roulette.
Hey CP. You are right, of course. Booze is definitely contraindicated when on any kind of meds, including depression meds. And maybe I shouldn't have written about (admitted to) enjoying that glass of wine.... but I do. I should probably cut out gluten, dairy and meat too cuz I hear all of that will help too. I've thought a lot about all of it, believe me. Thanks for commenting :-)