Depression Blogs For Support
If you're experiencing depression, it can be easy to feel like you’re alone. However, depression is a common mental health condition that can affect people from all walks of life. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression affects 6.7% of the population per year.
If you live with depression, you might feel like your family and friends don’t understand exactly what you're going through or why your feelings are occurring. Also, you might not know exactly where to turn, which can make a frustrating and emotional situation even harder. However, in recent years, the internet and social media have made it easier to find the depression support you need while you work on overcoming your mental health conditions. There are numerous depression blogs, books, and podcasts addressing this topic.
Finding the right one may help you feel understood while also allowing you to discover evidence-based tips you can use as you work toward overcoming depression.
Best depression blogs
Below are seven blogs about depression that provide support and personal experiences of others who live with this disorder. Some are from professional organizations, and others are from people who have experienced depression themselves. These blogs may allow you to get professional opinions, read about personal experiences, and receive advice about handling mental health conditions.
NAMI blog
NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. This is a nonprofit organization that works to support individuals who are experiencing mental illnesses. While NAMI’s blog isn’t exclusively dedicated to depression, it allows you to filter the blog posts for those that focus on depression and related topics.
You can find blog posts that aim to help you understand what depression is and how to recognize it, along with how to get help. There are also blog posts about media portraying depression, tips for improving relationships, and tips for living with a mental health disorder.
You can find the blog at: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog
Wings of Madness
Visit the blog at: https://www.wingofmadness.com/
The Blurt Foundation exists to help individuals affected by depression. As soon as you arrive at the website for Blurt, you see the words "Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Depression." The blog writers work to help educate people with depression, so they have the tools they need to forge ahead on the potentially long journey and work toward recovery. You can also find content on how to support loved ones living with this disorder.
Find the blog at: https://www.blurtitout.org/
Read recovery stories at: https://oc87recoverydiaries.org/
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers an extensive mental health blog. Although not exclusively dedicated to depression, this blog allows you to filter articles by category. You can also filter blog articles by the intended demographic, including LGBTQ+ individuals, parents, college students, and BIPOC individuals.
This blog can serve as a valuable resource to spread awareness and support those with anxiety and/or depression.
Check out the ADAA blog at: https://adaa.org/blog
Depression Marathon
This blog was created by a runner and health professional who experiences depression. It has won multiple awards for being one of the best websites about depression out there. Through this blog, the author intends to reduce the stigma surrounding depression and mental illness while increasing awareness of available treatments.
Check it out at: https://depressionmarathon.blogspot.com
Patrice M. Foster (Teenage Depression and Secrets)
If you are a parent of a child or adolescent who is experiencing anxiety and/or depression, this blog may be a valuable resource for you. Written by a registered nurse with more than 30 years of experience, this blog emphasizes teenage depression and stressors that can affect the mental health of adolescents. There are plenty of blog articles on how to support teenagers experiencing this disorder as well as a comments section where you can hear from other readers.
Read the blog: https://patricemfoster.com/blog
If you prefer reading books rather than blog posts, there are some books on depression that may offer you insight into the disorder and help you make progress in your journey. There are books for individuals who are diagnosed with depression, people who are trying to understand the condition, and those trying to support others who are living with depression.
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression Without Drugs
In his book, Stephen Ilardi discusses his theory on why we are seeing more depression in the modern age than there was in past generations. His findings led him to identify six areas that he believes we need to focus on more to naturally overcome depression:
Brain Food
Don't Think, Do
Antidepressant Exercise
Let There Be Light
Get Connected
Habits of Healthy Sleep
The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness
This book was written by four mental health professionals who explain why people often become more depressed when they try to think their way out of being depressed. They combine Eastern traditions with cognitive therapy and discuss ways to avoid mental patterns that can lead to despair.
The Hilarious World of Depression
This podcast is hosted by comedian John Moe. Depression is a serious condition that can affect anyone, including comedians. In this podcast, Moe interviews other comedians who have experienced this disorder to provide insight and let people know they are not alone in their experience of depression.
Mental health stigma can create inaccurate perceptions and beliefs about people with depression. Some people that experience depression face labels like “crazy” and are told they “just need to get over it.” These types of misnomers can create significant difficulties for people striving to cope with depression and other mental health issues.
While they may not prevent depression, there are various activities one can include in daily life to serve as coping skills and help lessen its impact on well-being. A few of these include:
- Participating in outdoor activities like reading, walking, or riding a bike in the park. Swimming and gardening are also helpful for some.
- Engaging in a favorite hobby like cooking, arts and crafts, or gaming.
- Participating in recreational activities outside the home that stimulate thought. For example, one may go out to dinner, the cinema, or an art gallery. These types of activities are an excellent way to socialize with friends and family or like-minded people through a mutual interest group.
- Some people find it helpful to read books, listen to podcasts, or read depression blogs focused on recovery.
- Engaging with your community in a service capacity can also be effective for managing this disorder. This may mean volunteering for an organization or social enterprise that aligns with your values.
- It may be helpful to connect with others who are experiencing similar mental health conditions. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website is a good resource for comprehensive information on support groups either online or in your community. It also has a library of articles aiming to educate people about mental illness.
What activities improve mental health?
There are many forms of self-care activities that can help you manage stress and assist you if you’re feeling sad. These include getting plenty of quality rest, regular exercise, and a healthy diet. Many people choose to engage in a mindfulness practice like yoga or meditation to cultivate better mental health.
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