How to Reduce Your Risk of Relapse How to Reduce Your Risk of Relapse Although there is no surefire way to prevent depression from recurring, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Above all, keep in mind that for many people, depression is a chronic illness, and relapses are common. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294c51515c-3572-4ee4-8528-9b17266dd7ca “Treatment can help reduce the duration of depression and the likelihood of depression,” Sapra says. But this condition is a part of you and you have to actively work on it every day,” says Sapura. Here are some strategies to lower your chances of depression recurring. Identify your triggers and how to avoid them. By being aware of the factors that cause depression, you can take steps to reduce your risk of future recurrence. Try tracking it in your diary. Setting boundaries with people and certain behaviors that pose a risk of relapse is also key to staying healthy, Shelton says. Tap into your support network. Enlist support from family and friends to relieve depression. Research shows that participating in social groups can reduce symptoms of current depression and help prevent recurrence. “Relationships and support systems can be sanctuaries where you can nourish and improve your life,” Sapra says. Among self-care activities, Dr. Sapura says, prioritizing getting enough sleep each night and exercising regularly can reduce the impact that depression triggers have on you and lower your risk of recurrence. But don’t let it interfere with your daily schedule by trying something new that might change up your current routine, like a dance class or a book club, he says. If your current treatment plan isn’t working, find a new one. Mental health care is a very personal service, Sapra said. Don’t be afraid to change doctors, therapists, or other treatments such as medications if you feel your treatment plan isn’t helping. Once you find someone or something that works, keep doing it, Sapra says. Key points Major depressive disorder is a chronic disease, and relapses are common even after treatment. Certain factors can trigger a flare-up, such as a change in medication, stressful life events, childbirth, or seasonal changes. Tactics such as avoiding triggers within your control, maintaining strong social connections and healthy self-care habits can help reduce your risk of relapse. Changing Medications Changing Medications If you’ve been trying your current treatment for a while and it doesn’t seem to be working, it’s common to ask your doctor to try a new drug or dose of the drug. But keep in mind that stopping treatment entirely can lead to relapse, Shelton says. It is important that the antidepressant’s effects last for up to eight weeks before asking your doctor to switch you to a new antidepressant. One reason is that changing medications can throw off the balance between dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin levels in the body. These chemicals are involved in mood, pain relief, and general health, Shelton says. Low mood can occur even when you feel well enough to consider reducing your antidepressant dose. One study found that people who gradually stopped taking antidepressants were more likely to experience depression again within a year than those who continued treatment. Those who paused treatment also experienced increased anxiety and withdrawal symptoms. All study participants had been taking antidepressants for at least two years. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ed51607c-10cd-4268-87f8-309965554001 Holidays, anniversaries, and other important dates Important dates Certain holidays, such as Mother’s Day or birthdays, can remind you of the death of a loved one or a traumatic childhood experience. That can include visiting estranged family members you don’t want to see, which can trigger a relapse of depression, Shelton said. Significant anniversaries in life, such as divorce, can also precipitate symptoms of depression, she says. say.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bcbfc12b-612a-400a-94e2-7c15c4c47 883e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a870cedd-f507-4efd-8eb8-a01478468b74 Childbirth Childbirth Childbirth can cause a relapse of depression. One study of nearly 450,000 births found that 19.1 percent of new mothers developed postpartum depression. This is a type of depression that occurs early in life and can affect the birth parent’s ability to care for themselves and others. Because a history of depression is a risk factor for postpartum depression, she said, developing the disorder after giving birth could be considered a type of depression recurrence. shelton.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629281a12aa-b313-486a-ba77-76dd32f61d9fe60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59 new medical diagnosis new medical diagnosis People who have been diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, are at increased risk of: Depression.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d0b07329-1408-4129-95e8-cc7cc3ea659c The process of adapting to an illness and its specific treatment may also increase the likelihood of experiencing a depression relapse, says Manish Sapra, MD, executive director of the association. Behavioral Health Services at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, New York. In many cases, such as inflammatory diseases, the disease activity of a chronic disease can itself cause depression. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762928506eaf-8424-4be4-b8d2-caa9f6601393 Over time, people can experience dramatic changes in their ability to move, eat, communicate, and perform necessary tasks. Dr. Sapura says that, like brushing your teeth, it’s unacceptable. Certain seasons Certain seasons can also worsen depression symptoms and cause relapses, Sapra says. This is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The condition is most common in the fall and winter when the weather is cold and the daylight hours are short, but some people experience seasonal depression in the summer. Research shows that the death of a loved one, losing a job, caring for a loved one, and experiencing a natural disaster are among the stressful life events that can cause depression to relapse. However, if you feel depressed almost every day for more than two weeks, and you have other symptoms in addition to sadness, you may have depression. “Good stress motivates you to get things done,” says Shelton. “And then there’s chronic pain, which is when you feel like you don’t have the ability or ability to solve a problem.”Depressive episodes, study says. Hearing about events such as mass shootings, systemic racism, sexual harassment and assault can have a negative impact, especially leading to feelings of depression. Shelton said he has a personal connection to the issue. A type of trauma called vicarious trauma can occur among people who empathize with survivors of traumatic events. It has a huge impact on healthcare workers, police and other emergency responders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299828c404-2cc0-488b-9e04-76202a 0c5751e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d48e8a4e-8c22-400a-840f-410b1536db5eRace-based trauma is also associated with depression, Shelton said. A survey of more than 1,600 black women between the ages of 23 and 34 in Detroit showed that 65% reported experiencing racial discrimination and nearly 37% had high levels of depression. The study also found that experiencing frequent racial discrimination before the age of 20 increased the risk of developing severe depressive symptoms in adulthood. One-time type condition. Studies have shown that many people with depression who experience some improvement with treatment experience worsening symptoms again before achieving longer-term remission. This is what is called a relapse. According to Dr. Kimber Shelton, a licensed counseling psychologist in Duncanville, Texas, it is very common for depression to return despite treatment. “Relapse is part of recovery, and having this mindset will make you feel less hopeless when you’re depressed at other points in your life,” Dr. Shelton says. “It’s important to allow yourself to be imperfect.” Instead of letting yourself get discouraged by holding onto feelings of hopelessness, shame, and guilt, you may find it easier to recover by asking for help. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor or mental health professional about all your symptoms early on, even if they’re getting worse, so they can provide help and support. Relapses can result in even more stress, Shelton says, which can affect your mood, relationships, career, and more. Relapse can also increase the risk of unhealthy behaviors, such as not exercising or relying on drugs or alcohol, she says. Research shows that approximately 70% of people who achieve partial remission of major depressive disorder relapse, usually within the first four months. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762987850c33-3191-4fb0-930d-5015a0cb74fb Remember that depression is personal. Triggers are different for everyone and can change. Over time. However, here are some that are commonly associated with recurrence.
