Depression can have negative impacts on many areas of life. This is especially true if you have chronic depression or have gone through a traumatic event that has resulted in severe depressive episodes. These four tips can help you get through even the worst depressive swings.

Seek Counseling

Counselors who are trained in addressing issues that are related to depression are available to help people like you manage their bouts with sadness better. A good counselor will try to get to the root of your depressive swings by learning more about your history and what triggers your sad feelings. Therapy methods may include cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic counseling. Before any treatment plan is started, your counselor may give you questionnaires to fill out to determine the severity of your depression and how to best go about finding a solution.

Psychotherapy sessions are highly effective and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, contrary to what some prejudiced people think.

Apply for Social Security

If your depression is making it impossible for you to work, you can try filing for social security benefits. These benefits will supply you with the money that you need to pay your bills and take care of other life expenses. You’ll need to fill out an application and may need to provide proof from a doctor or another mental health professional to verify your condition. If you happen to be denied benefits, a lawyer in your area who offers social security disability attorney services may be able to help. This way, whether your depressive episode lasts months or longer, you’ll still have income to help keep you on your feet until you’re ready to work again.

Rely on Trusted People

Severe depressive episodes often make tending to daily tasks much more difficult. You can ask family members and close friends to help you during these times so that you can still function in life. Cooking, cleaning and other duties around the home can be tended to by these important people. It’s also important to have someone who will make sure that you eat and bathe when your bouts of depression are especially intense. As long as these daily necessities get done, even if someone else is helping you do them, it will be easier to climb back out again when the episode comes to an end. Until then, the most important thing is to make sure you are taken care of the best you can.

Schedule Time for Activities Outside the Home

While going outside won’t cure chronic depression, it can help greatly to relieve symptoms in the short-term. Exercise has been scientifically proven to boost mood and lower stress, and going for a jog or bike ride might be just what you need to shake off that awful trapped-inside feeling. Meeting with friends and family members for special occasions can make it easier for you to motivate yourself out of bed, and regular, scheduled activities can help give you temporary respite while you go through a serious depressive swing. Even though it won’t keep the depression away permanently, regular respite and scheduled activities can make it easier to get through.

There are many ways to combat symptoms of some of the most severe cases of depression. Depressive swings don’t have to rule your life, and learning how to manage your condition better can help you avoid many of the pitfalls.