May 4, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

“ADD and depression frequently coexist...

“This is not hard to understand when one considers the typical life experience of someone with ADD. Since childhood, the person with ADD has felt a sense of chronic frustration and failure.” (Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey)

Sound familiar?



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

May 3, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

It seems like a silly question, but after not feeling much of anything for a really long time, how do you recognize true emotion? How do you know when you're getting better?

Look at yourself – maybe as you walk past a store window or in a photo on your phone. Do you have life in your face and stance? Do you notice a positive change?

It's one sign you may be starting to feel better.

If your affect or appearance still seems depressed, keep working on it. You can do this!

   


CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

May 2, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Get help. Ask your doctor about TMS.

“Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective.

“This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it's called repetitive TMS or rTMS.

“...It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression.

“Though the biology of why rTMS works isn't completely understood, the stimulation appears to impact how the brain is working, which in turn seems to ease depression symptoms and improve mood.”



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

May 1, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

May 1st is a traditional time to lift your spirits by dancing with the fairies, enjoying a festive bonfire, and celebrating Spring!

Sounds like a plan!



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

April 30, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Sometimes when you're depressed you act on impulses, which can create the vicious cycle in your life of depression, poverty, and being overweight. You're depressed so you spend money you shouldn't on a whim. Or eat. And eat. And eat.

When considering any sizable purchase make it your habit to research it, wait until the fever to own it has passed, and wait until you can afford it.

Still, you may find yourself with things you don't need or even want.

Impulsiveness is something to watch out for if you're depressed.



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

April 29,2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

“Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure. It's a common symptom of depression as well as other mental health disorders.

“Most people understand what pleasure feels like. They expect certain things in life to make them happy. Maybe you enjoy riding your bike, listening to the sounds of the ocean, or holding someone's hand. But some people lose the ability to feel joy. The things that once made them content are no longer fun or enjoyable. That's anhedonia.

“There are two main types of anhedonia:

“Social anhedonia. You don’t want to spend time with other people.

“Physical anhedonia. You don’t enjoy physical sensations. A hug leaves you feeling empty rather than nurtured. Your favorite foods taste bland. Even sex can lose its appeal.

“Anhedonia makes relationships, including those with friends and family members, a struggle. With the reward of enjoyment gone, it's hard to get motivated to spend time with others. You might turn down invitations and skip events like concerts, parties, and even one-on-one get-togethers because you no longer believe there's any benefit in taking part.”

– WebMD



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

April 28, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Instead of a “To Do” list make a “Today I...” list.

Today I:

Got up.
Had a decent breakfast.
Read the paper.
Went to work.
Had a healthy lunch.
Got gas.
Talked to a friend on Facebook
Did laundry.
Surfed the Internet.
Played games.

You get the idea. Write it all down and congratulate yourself on how much you accomplished. It could be a long list!



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com   

April 27, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Strawberries are full of antioxidants, making them delicious depression fighters.



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com  

April 26, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression


If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Getting enough sleep is essential to treating and managing depression. Unfortunately, sleep disruption is a symptom of depression. According to WebMD, “one of the common signs of depression is insomnia or inability to sleep.”

Can you say “Catch-22”?

In order to get enough sleep, try these techniques.

Get off the computer by 11:00 pm.
Make the bedroom as dark as possible, including covering the alarm clock and the phone.
Learn and do deep breathing exercises.
Meditate.
Listen to relaxing music, relaxation meditations, or nature sounds.

HERE are sounds of bird song and flowing water to get you started.



CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it. 

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com