Here’s another question:
“What other strategies can help when dealing with depression? I’m a parent and I’m depressed.”
Thank you for being open and asking this question.
I want to look at depression from two different angles.
First, sometimes depression is what we call adjustment. We’ve had life changes—it could be going back to work after summer break, relationship challenges, financial stress, moving to a new neighborhood—basically situational stress triggering depression.
Second, there’s a more biological component, where I just feel sad without a clear story or reason. This can sometimes be genetic or related to hormones, where the body doesn’t have the chemicals needed to keep us from “the blues.”
I’d suggest identifying whether you’re dealing with situational depression, biological depression, or a combination of both.
Once you’ve done that, the first strategy is to give it a voice and understand it. Write down what your depression would say if it could speak. Spend 5–10 minutes describing its words, feelings, and emotions. Externalizing and expressing these feelings can be therapeutic.
Even better, share these thoughts with someone who can offer nurture and support. This requires vulnerability, but we know that talking about feelings can help them subside.
When depressed, we tend to withdraw, unlike loneliness, where we seek connection. Depression often makes us want to isolate—but gradually finding supportive people can be very effective.
It’s also important to consider factors like postpartum depression or seasonal affective disorder, which are influenced by biology and environment.
Those are some strategies and starting points I’d recommend.
