For individuals coping with depression, finally getting it under control is a huge step in recovery. When you experience a depression relapse, it can be overwhelming. While depression treatment can improve symptoms over time, there is no cure for the disorder, making relapse a potential recovery obstacle. Over 50% of individuals that have been treated for depression will relapse at least once in their life. However, there are ways to manage your symptoms and stop a potential relapse in its tracks. By educating yourself on the warning signs of a relapse and how to manage them, you can keep your recovery on track and maintain a healthy life.
When undergoing treatment, depression can still present symptoms, and relapse can still occur. When a person has been diagnosed with depression, their chances of experiencing it again later in their lifetime increase, especially if exposed to triggers. Triggers are the leading causes of depression relapse, and they vary from person to person. However, general triggers exist and should be looked out for as a person is being treated for depression. These triggers include:
The key to stopping a potential relapse is being aware of common warning signs. These will generally differ from person to person, just as triggers do. By monitoring warning signs, you can ensure that you do not slip up in your recovery. Keep in mind that symptoms are ever-changing, and you may experience different ones than those you had during your first depressive episode. Common warning signs of relapse include:
An early sign of depression is when a person begins losing interest in activities they used to enjoy or take part in.
Those experiencing depression often find themselves having trouble focusing or concentrating on everyday tasks. This can include making decisions or going through the rational thinking process, making it difficult to work out problems in their life.
Depression can cause irritability, leading to lashing out at others more quickly than you usually would. You may find yourself getting more irritated, annoyed, or angry with others over little things.
Fatigue is one of the tell-tale signs of depression to look out for. Feeling mentally and physically exhausted is a common sign of depression, causing your day-to-day life to feel more difficult. You may have trouble completing tasks that you used to knock out with no problem at all.
Having bad days is normal, but having consistent bad days where you lose hope of them ever getting better is a warning sign of depression. Pay attention if you seem to be having bad day after bad day without any specific cause, as this can be a sign you are slipping back into a depressive episode.
Gaining or losing weight can signify one’s depression coming back. Depression can cause one to become disinterested in food, while eating may become a coping mechanism for others. If you experience any extreme weight changes, be wary of other depression symptoms as well, as this could be a sign it is returning.
You may notice that you are having trouble sleeping as your depression comes back, such as not staying asleep or not being able to fall asleep. You may even find yourself oversleeping, causing you to feel even more fatigued during the day.
Those dealing with depression often isolate themselves from others because they feel they don’t have the energy to socialize like they used to. They may also isolate themselves to avoid bringing others down due to their depression, but this isolation can make the disorder much worse. Isolating can also cause you to lose friendships and other close relationships.
You should never feel like you will be stuck in a depression haze forever, as there are treatments available that can help you improve your symptoms. Catching symptoms early and reaching out to a doctor or therapist can help you stop relapse in its tracks and get you back to life in recovery. You may begin therapy or start taking mediation based on what your doctor thinks is best for you and learning coping mechanisms to get you through this time. There is always hope for the future.
Those who have struggled with depression in the past understand just how difficult it can be to cope with. While there are treatments available, depression has no cure, meaning relapse is a possibility. It is essential to educate yourself on the possible causes and warning signs to stop a potential relapse before it happens. While warning signs can vary between persons, there are common ones to look out for. At Northstar Transitions, we understand how depression can impact your everyday life, which is why we want to help our clients be prepared for relapse. While it is not inevitable, relapse is a possibility for anyone being treated for depression. If you are worried about a potential relapse or experiencing one now, give us a call today to receive help. You can reach us at (303) 558-6400, and we will help you accordingly. Remember, you are never alone, and there is always hope for healing.
