OCR Text |
Show Depression High by Dr. M. Ford McBride I guess the question I'm asked more than any other during the holiday season has to do with depression. Unfortunately, Un-fortunately, depression and suicide are highest during this time of year. A friend told me the other day that she knew she was going to be depressed just by looking at the calendar. What she was saying is that her mind was made up, she would wait for depression to take hold and ruin the holiday season for her. The key to combating depression is preventive preven-tive maintenance. In other words, if you are susceptible to depressive episodes, make anti-depression activities part of your life style. Ten activities I often recommend to help combat and prevent depression are as follows; One. Engage in physical activity that is enjoyable. I have yet to meet someone who can jog and be depressed at the same time. Two. Spend time with people who are important impor-tant to you. Three. Let someone you trust get to know you better. Four. Don't let feelings of hurt and anger smolder inside. Learn to express them appropriately. Five. Dont be afraid to take some risks. Reach out for experiences experien-ces and relationships that help you maintain a sense of well being. Six. Do something for someone in need. Seven. Don't measure yourself against everyone you meet. Interact In-teract with others as fellow humans, not as suneriors or inferiors. Eight. Don't set goals so high that failure is guaranteed, but do set realistic goals. Nine Concentrate on what you do well, success suc-cess in even minor tasks lead to reduced pessimism and hopelessness. Ten. If you can't handle a problem on your own, seek help from your clergyman, family doctor or local mental health center. Depression is preventable. preven-table. Resolve in the coming year to make anti-depression activities ac-tivities part of your life. Dr. McBride can be seen every Tuesday on Channel lis Newsroom at 6 p.m. If you have a question or topic you would like Dr. McBride to discuss in his column, write; Dr. M. Ford McBride, 1161 East 300 North, Provoi Utah 84601. |