| If you are like the other 18 million Americans who | | | | enjoy incense or herbal incense because they feel it |
| suffer from depression and depression like symptom, | | | | relaxes them. Regardless, so long as your doctor |
| you know there is no "cure" for depression. As a | | | | does not think it will interfere with your condition, |
| chemical issue, it can come and go in your life and | | | | using alternative forms of treatment can help |
| cause a variety of challenges for you. Most likely, you | | | | enhance your ability to steer clear of depression like |
| have tried countless ways to alleviate your | | | | symptoms. |
| symptoms, but to no avail. Here are some specific | | | | 4. Be prepared to seek treatment for years. Some |
| ways you can overcome certain aspects of your | | | | people have several risk factors or a few high risk |
| depression, as recommended by professionals. | | | | factors. In this case, you may need treatment for a |
| 1. Give your antidepressants time to work. One of | | | | longer term than other people facing depression. This |
| the biggest challenges for anyone facing depression is | | | | goes back to having patience with yourself and not |
| patience. You must have patience with yourself, | | | | being so impatient that you skip treatment, |
| patience with your doctors, patience with your family | | | | medication, etc. That could be quite dangerous. |
| and patience with your medication (if you're taking | | | | 5. If you do decide to stop taking medication, do so |
| any). Sometimes, it will take several weeks for your | | | | ONLY after discussing the possibility with your doctor. |
| medication to kick in, don't give up on it too soon or | | | | There are several things to take into consideration |
| you could regret it. | | | | with this decision. For example, if you just stop taking |
| 2. Once your medication takes affect, use it exactly | | | | the medication cold turkey, it could lead to confusion, |
| how your doctor prescribes it for as long as your | | | | side effects and problems with the rest of your life. |
| doctor prescribes it. At any point, you may get bored | | | | A trained physician can help you understand the |
| or think you know how to treat yourself. But your | | | | various risk factors involved and whether or not the |
| physician went to school for a long time to learn how | | | | timing is right to come off of your meds. |
| certain chemical react to the body. Make sure you | | | | Depression does not have to rule you, but you must |
| use your medication wisely. | | | | be sure to listen to experts, be patient with yourself |
| 3. Find activities and actions the help you battle your | | | | and seek long term treatment rather than short term |
| depression. Maybe lots of exercise helps keep your | | | | "solutions." Listening to your doctor and finding |
| mind in a good place, or maybe cooking for friends | | | | "happy" activities or products can help you move into |
| helps keep you in good spirits. Other people like to | | | | a great place mentally. |