12 Ways To Deal With Depression Caused By Trauma

What Causes Depression?

Depression occurs as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. It often runs in families. This mood disorder can be caused by a variety of experiences or emotions. One cause is a traumatic experience such as the death of a loved one, marriage complications, stress or drastic life changes.

A person may feel guilty, lonely or experience feelings of hopelessness as a result of this situation. Trauma recovery is offered at a variety of trauma treatment center and is often beneficial to those struggling with depression caused by trauma.

Ways to Deal with Depression after Trauma

  1. Talk about it. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your struggles with a family member or friend, seek counseling or join a local support group.
  2. Take part in fun activities. Try something new or pick back up an old activity.
  3. Exercise. These energizing activities can do a lot for your general health and often end up reducing stress.
  4. Talk to a health professional. Be honest with them and they may be able to recommend special medications or trauma therapy to you.
  5. Allow family and friends to help you.
  6. Give yourself time to grieve. Rushing the situation may only make it worse.
  7. Limit media exposure. If your traumatic experience is show in the newspaper or on the television you may wish to limit your exposure.
  8. Set achievable goals.
  9. Stick to a routine. Get an adequate amount of sleep and eat appropriately, these simple things provide stability in life.
  10. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Many people turn to these substances as a way of blocking out confusing emotions. Avoiding your problems however, only increases them.
  11. Volunteer. Help out in your community in your own personal way.
  12. Maintain a healthy diet. Avoid foods with large amounts of sugar or caffeine. Caffeine releases stress hormones and sugar creates false highs and lows in one’s emotions.

Depression as a result of trauma can be a very difficult situation to overcome. However, with the help of a depression treatment facility or trauma treatment center, depression and trauma recovery is possible.

Disclaimer


This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and this content is to provide an overall understanding of substance use disorders. These disorders are very complex, and this post does not take into account the unique circumstances for every individual. For specific questions about your health needs or that of a loved one, seek the help of a healthcare professional.