Here is a link to a video I found at Internet about how to stop relapse of depression in the beginning. The point is that after about two depressive episodes (some says only one), the chances of having a new episode comes with it, and then a new and a new one.

I have discovered this myself, even if I thought in former years that to overcome depression was only to do once. If we look out for symptoms that can be the start of a relapse, it can hopefully help us to stop a full blown up episode. :-)

Originally Posted by Singer47

Here is a link to a video I found at Internet about how to stop relapse of depression ...

I have never read anything by this man or used his web-site. I only stumbled over his speech.

I wanted to share his message of 8 minutes with you because some of what he said I have experienced myself. One can be healed from depression, but one can never know if it comes back. I am saying this not to frighten people, only try to be realistic. If you heal and never have a new episode that is good for you. I wish you the best!

If you, like me, have experienced more than one episode, the chances are there that it will not be your last if you don't prepare yourself. I have SAD every winter and have never been able to plan it away. But there are other situations ... Dr. Yapco says that it is life itself that repeats and because of that depression repeats if we don't prepare to fight for the freedom to be off it.

Back to the video: Douglas Bloch, the man in the video, says that depression has two parts to overcome: A) to get free from it and B) to stay out of it. I couldn't agree more based om my own experience. It is common to think in that way when it comes to bipolar depression. Not so common with unipolar depression. Since it is not so common with unipolar D, we have to start doing that part (the second part) ourselves.

The five parts of preventing:

1) We have to do the work and map our triggers and be able to recognize them and know what to do with them. We need to know where to find support in a situation were we feel that "things" are going downward.

He lists some common triggers. Even if each one of us are unique, we might still share some triggers.

He asks us to avoid people who trigger us (that may not be so easy, but sometimes it will be of our benefit to find new people to be around. PC is a good alternative if we cannot find those people in our natural surroundings).

2) Pay attention to how we are (feelings, thinking and so on). He recommends to do this five minutes a day. May be Mindfulness during the day will be a good way to relate to the world and to ourselves. He means that we should look "inside" to see if we can recognize any changes that can signal the beginning of a down-spiraling. He give good examples.

3) We have to use our toolkit. If we don't have any maybe it is wise to start making them (coping strategies).He gives good examples ... What about taking a day or two off from responsibilities? Doesn't that sound good? In my view that is not running away, but to take responsibility for ones own health (if used to prevent).

He talks about prayer as well. I think that to practice one's religion may mean a lot to those of us who believe in a god; Christian, Muslim, Jew or whatever. For those without a religion I suggest that at least to feel a connectedness to life, nature, relax at a beach, feel the peace and so on will do good. (He recommends a special prayer site. I have never used that and never will. I had no intention to drag you into something you will not feel compatible with your own view of life. I looked past that when I posted the link).

4) If nothing helps in spite that you have tried the best you can, try to get help form the outside.

5) He says: "Once you emerge from your episode, continue to use the same tools and strategies that you used to get well"
.............................................................

Well, it was point 5 that made me want to share the video. To continue to use helpful tools after the depression has lifted has helped me a lot and I hope it can help you as well. (I am not going to subscribe to his channel).

I think that if people can learn relaxation techniques and be able to tell themselves that it is not a catastrophe to have to be aware of "pre-depression signs" that may help to stay out of it. If people are afraid of relapse, well then they will feel worse. But remember, the point is to be able to prevent an episode, not to prepare for a new episode.

May all who read or comment at this thread find peace in their lives, one way or other, sooner or later!