The Depression Cycle
Depression can be distilled down into a problematic cycle due to reduced activity and low mood: when there is less activity, the person becomes withdrawn or isolated, and new opportunities become less likely, leading to a downward spiral.
Prolonged isolation and inactivity make previously enjoyable activities challenging or unappealing, making people withdraw further.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
We normally think our mind makes our body get into action, but the reverse is also true: Action has the power to improve our low mood.
When one is down in the dumps, even simple chores need a lot of effort. The ongoing global crisis has had many activities that one enjoys to be indefinitely cancelled, leading to withdrawal.
The Behavioral Theory states that positive reinforcement acts as oxygen for the body/mind/soul, and makes the person break the cycle of negativity and depression.
The depression cycle of inactivity can be broken by Behavioural Activation which is an effective depression therapy in psychology. The depressed people are made to engage in activities they have stopped doing or are reluctant to do now.
- Ensure variety in the activities, and strike a balance between pleasurable, routine and necessary ones.
- Avoid prolonged inactivity periods and remember that challenging activities provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, boosting one’s mood.
- Carry out the activities even if you don’t feel like it, and let the body cure the mind.
- Do self-evaluation on a daily basis and be patient with yourself.
RELATED IDEAS
One of the most important aspects of psychological treatment is having an engaging relationship with your psychologist. If you don’t “click” within the first few sessions, treatment is unlikely to be effective.
It’s also important to find the method of therapy that suits you best.
With all the 2020 events, we all want life to be normal again. While we are starting to adjust to the new normal, many of us are not adjusting in a good way. We let go of positive routines and replace them with bad habits and activities.
We engage in fewer rewarding activities, ponder on stresses we can do nothing about, don't see friends frequently, and replace good habits with behaviors that keep us stuck. We are also unconsciously pausing our life and trying to wait this out.
We all have experienced strong emotional reactions in our lives when our mind is overwhelmed and in turmoil. We struggle to manage our feelings and usually don’t know what to do with them.
This results in the emotions getting stuck inside us, manifesting in mental or physical problems.