The aftermath of losing a loved one can be challenging when you have depression. Grief is a natural and healthy process. However, you want to honor and grieve your loved one without letting your depression take over. Here are some tips for managing grief and depression at the same time.
How to Grieve Without Being Depressed
Be Gentle with Yourself
Allow yourself to feel your feelings. You need to take time to feel your grief and all the complex emotions that come with it. Give yourself permission to cry, take time off work, and sleep in. Everyone experiences grief differently, so go easy on yourself. There is no set timeline for moving forward.
Remember Your Medication
As you give yourself the space to experience grief, you still need to meet your basic needs. And this type of self-care includes taking your depression medication. Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder to take your pill. Grief is difficult enough, so taking your medication will help preserve your mental state.
Book a Therapy Appointment
You don’t need to deal with grief on your own. Book a therapy appointment to start working through your emotions. If you already attend behavioral therapy for depression, consider making an extra appointment. Your therapist may also recommend additional specialty counseling to help you manage your grief. A holistic approach can help you better manage your mental health.
Accept Help
You might be hesitant to accept support from friends and family. But remember, your loved ones want to help you through this difficult time. Whether they bring you meals or offer to talk, they can make your life less overwhelming. While you should still give yourself alone time when you need it, accepting help and support will make you less isolated as you grieve.
Stick to Your Routine
Depression makes it more difficult to stick to your daily habits, but grief can make it even more challenging. To keep your depression in check, try to stick to some sort of routine. Small rituals like showering daily, cooking yourself breakfast, and going for a walk can make a big difference. If you’re worried about following through, ask a friend to check in on you every day.
Find an Outlet
Try not to keep your emotions inside as you grieve your loved one. A healthy outlet will help you release your emotions and honor your loved one. Creative outlets like writing, painting, and songwriting are all great ways to explore your grief. However, some people might prefer physical outlets like running and hiking. No matter how you release your grief, you’ll be taking steps to manage your depression as well.
The mental health professionals at SOL Mental Health offer the depression counseling our clients trust. We help area residents work through life’s challenges through individual counseling, as well as other holistic behavioral health services. Our psychiatry team also offers comprehensive medication management for a variety of mental health conditions.
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis or need a specific type of specialty counseling, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Does My Insurance Cover a Therapist at SOL Mental Health?
SOL Mental Health is partnered with several insurance providers to make our services more accessible to you. You can verify your insurance through our website before scheduling an appointment.
