Like most things, there are levels of depression. Some people may only feel depressed every so often while others experience it daily. On the more severe end is treatment-resistant depression.
If you are living with treatment-resistant depression, then you understand just how hard it is to maintain hope. Some days it feels like nothing will help you. Maintaining a positive outlook is absolutely crucial these days, however. Please know that you are not alone.
Understanding treatment-resistant depression
Treatment-resistant depression is exactly as it sounds. Essentially, it is a form of the mental health condition that does not improve with typical treatments like medication or traditional talk therapy. Those living with treatment-resistant depression may have tried these techniques to no avail and still experience symptoms of depression.
While there is not a definitive known cause of treatment-resistant depression, many professionals think contributing factors include genetics, medical conditions, or environmental factors/trauma. A lot of the time, those living with treatment-resistant depression also have a co-occurring mental health condition like a substance abuse issue or anxiety.
Underneath the umbrella of treatment-resistant depression, there are several subtypes of depression. These include postpartum depression or bipolar disorder. Discovering the best treatment path for each subtype can be done with the help of a trained mental health professional.
Learning to live with treatment-resistant depression
Although treatment-resistant depression may have taken away your hope or desire for a fulfilling life, there are still steps you can take to lead a joyful life. Implement a few of the following into your life or daily routine to make a change.
Seek alternative forms of therapy: Holistic approaches, including acupuncture or herbal remedies, may be a route that shows great results for you and your treatment-resistant depression. Trauma-informed therapy like IFS can also be extremely helpful as an alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Perform activities that feel good to you: You should look for joy in every aspect of your life, including your hobbies. Find a form of movement that makes you feel good, whether that is yoga or boxing, or anything in between. Exercise your mind through a creative outlet. Whatever it is, be sure it brings you joy.
Build your support network: You certainly have people in your life who love and care about you. While going through this rough patch in terms of your mental health, be sure to bolster your support system so you have people to rely on.
Finding hope in your life
Treatment-resistant depression may have sucked all of the hope out of your life. Focusing on the hopeful and positive is absolutely crucial to recovery. This will also help you to develop a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. Here are a few steps you can take to find hope in your life.
Set realistic goals: When you set yourself up for failure, you will likely fail. Measure your progress in smaller, more realistic increments. This will give you a sense of accomplishment when you finish a goal and will also grow your confidence.
Practice gratitude: While it may be difficult, be thankful for what you have. Being positive will help to shift your focus to the good in life.
Focus on compassion for yourself: Beating yourself up and hating yourself for your mental health condition will not make your depression disappear. While accepting your situation will likely not come easily to you, it is critical to ease your pain.
If you are not already seeing a therapist for your depression, I deeply encourage you to do so. While taking this first step may seem intimidating, it is absolutely crucial when it comes to creating a treatment path. I would be honored to help you to navigate these waters. Reach out to me today to get started.
For more information on treatment for depression, visit the link.