Depressed Start Here:

Evidence based research shows that for depression and anxiety a combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle changes will bring about wellness!

Begin by doing these items: 

Keep track of your symptoms in a journal.

Talk to a medical professional about your symptoms. Start with your primary care doctor.

Make up a personal support team of friends and family who can encourage you.

Get a referral to a good psychiatrist. Obtain a diagnosis.

Discuss medication options with your doctor.

Discuss therapy options with your doctor.

Ask for a referral for a psychologist or therapist.

Be patient as the medication begins working in your body.

See your doctor often to “tweak” your medication.

See your therapist often to help you navigate your depressive and anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Never give up!  Know that you can learn to manage depression and anxiety. You will feel well and live your hopes and dreams.

Learn to meditate.

Pray for help, guidance and strength!

Learn to practice mindfulness in your life.

Find movement/exercise you enjoy.

Sleep well.  Eat well.

Make life style changes that are suggested in this blog and Elaine’s book.

Choose joy by looking for and finding simple daily joys in your life.

Find your power by controlling your thoughts.

Read my book and my blog for personal stories, ideas and support. Remember you are not alone!

There is hope, there is wellness, life does come back and it is good!

 

My book is now available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble

My book combines 27 personal stories, actions to take and spiritual insights. It is my deep desire to lead you by the hand out of the depths of depression to live a full and joyful life.

Resources I recommend:

Beck Depression Inventory

Beck Anxiety Inventory

BetterHelp.com

NAMI – The National Alliance on Mental Illness

DBSA – Depression Bi-polar Support  Alliance

Elaine H. Quinn Coaching – elainehquinn.com

Tiny Buddha  – Follow on Facebook

Holistic Psychologist – Follow on Facebook

Books I Recommend:

• A Beautiful Mind – Sylvia Nasar
• A Grief Observed – C.S. Lewis
• A New Earth – Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose – Eckhart Tolle
• Against Depression – Peter D. Kramer
• An Unquiet Mind – Kay Redfield Jamison
• Breaking the Chain of Low Self-Esteem – Marilyn Sorensen PhD
• Breaking the Patterns of Depression – Michael D. Yapko
• Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression – Knaus
• Darkness Visible – William Styron
• Depression for Dummies
• Depression is Curable – Erickson
• Feeling Good – David Burns
• Get It Done When You’re Depressed – Fast, Preston
• Hold on The Light Will Come – Michael McLean
• How To Be Sick – Toni Bernhard
• How To Heal Depression – Bloomfield, McWilliams
• It’s Time, Living a Full and Joyful Life with Depression and Anxiety – Elaine Quinn
• Living With Prozac – Debra Elfenbein
• My Stroke of Insight – Taylor
• Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
• On The Edge of Darkness – Kathy Cronkite
• Overcoming Depression – Papolos
• Reaching for Hope – Decker and Chatlin LCSW
• Self-Compassion – Kristin Neff
• Simple Abundance – a daybook of comfort and joy – Sarah Ban Breathnach
• The Anxiety Disease – David V. Sheehan MD
• The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression – William Knaus
• The Depression Workbook – Mary Ellen Copeland
• The Gifts of Imperfection – Brene Brown
• The Good News About Depression – Mark S. Gold MD
• The Happiness Makeover  – M. J. Ryan
• The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin
• The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
• Reaching for Hope – Meghan Decker and Betsy Chatlin
• What Happy People Know – Dan Barker and Cameron Stauth
• When a Parent is Depressed – William R. Beardslee
• The Four Agreements – Ruiz
• The Gifts of Imperfection – Brene Brown
• The Kindness Handbook: When You Want to Help…  –  Jeri-Lynn Johnson
• You Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay
• You Mean I Don’t Have to Feel This Way?  Colette Dowling
• What Happy People Know – Baker, Stauth