How to deal with Depression and COVID-19

How can I help manage depression symptoms during COVID-19

• Stay informed but limit the time you spend watching the news and using social media
• Limit how much time you spend watching the news as this can impact on your mood – understand what your limit as this will be different for everyone (pick certain times in the day)
• It is important to keep up to date with the changes happening with COVID-19. Using information from trusted organisations like the Government of UK, and World Health Organisation is recommended.

Managing your negative thinking and rumination

In times where we are seeing increased uncertainty and loss happening around us including mortality, illness and social losses, we may begin to notice ourselves experiencing more negative thoughts “I am such a failure and nobody cares about me” and rumination.

Using the tools below can help you better manage negative thinking.

• Using grounding strategies can help bring back our rational thinking
• Be careful with how you are thinking- identify if you are using any ‘Unhelpful Thinking Styles’, e.g. black and white thinking (“I am not liked by anyone I am completely alone through this pandemic”) and doom and gloom thoughts (“nobody is safe, everyone is going to die”). Being mindful of facts vs opinions will help also.
• Using ‘Thought Challenging Questions’ can help you to develop accurate and more helpful perspectives of your negative thoughts, Trying something like this:
  1. Write down the thought that is bothering you the most (e.g. “I am not liked by anyone”)
  2. Rate how much this thought is bothering you from 1-100%: (90%)
  3. Using your Unhelpful Thinking Styles worksheet identify if you are engaging with any of these unhelpful thinking styles  (e.g. black and white thinking, mindreading)
  4. Ask yourself and write down the answer to: “what evidence do I have that disconfirms this thought?”, “What would other people say? Would they be more encouraging?”
  5. Now write down a more accurate perspective of this thought (e.g. “not everyone likes me but I do have some friends”.)

Continue with self-care and develop a balanced routine:

• Ensure you eat and exercise well every day.
• Try avoiding sugary foods and snacking often as this will crash your mood. 
• Attempt to exercise at home, using you-tube exercise videos
• Increased amounts of time at home can be a vulnerable time for people to increase their alcohol intake. Be careful to limit the amount of alcohol intake as this can impact your mood.
• Develop a balanced daily routine with a variety of activities included; achievements (work, household duties), creative (arts, online courses) or fun (watch a movie, play board games) and contact with others using digital devices where possible will also help.
• Be mindful to try keep up good sleep hygiene– setting strict wake up and bed times.

Management of suicide or self-harm urges:

Experiencing depression can sometimes lead to individuals feeling suicidal or self-harming. If this is something that you begin to experience it is important to know that there is a lot of support out there to help you, including:

• Samaritans – for everyone Call 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org
• Talk to someone you trust – let family or friends know by calling them or video calling them about what’s going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.
• There is no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what’s important.
• Our therapists at Onebrightare also here to help

Daily Mindfulness practice

Paying more attention to the present moment to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you can improve your mental wellbeing. Engaging in mindfulness exercise’s not just when you are feeling low in mood but on a daily practice can help prevent depression symptoms from getting worse during COVID-19.

• The Headspace app for mindfulness practice has free and simple resources to use
• You could also try the free online mindfulness courses

Stay connected

During a time where self-isolating and social distancing is recommended this can increase a feeling of being alone and can make us feel depressed or low in mood. Humans require connection and although this is limited at present there are many ways that this can and should still exist.

• If you have the urge to withdraw during this time as this can be a very common behaviour with depression, try to schedule in times throughout the day to speak to family and friends using digital methods.
• Try not to rely solely on text communication like WhatsApp, email and texting. Having visual contact using video calls will increase the level of connection felt
• Social media helps to remain connected with people at home and aboard however it is important to limit the amount of social media you engage in as excessive amounts can have a negative impact on your mood. Notice the signs that you have reached your limit and give yourself permission to step away from it and refocus your attention.

Seek Additional Support If You Need It

• Most providers will now be offering support via phone and online. 
• Continue with your current treatment remotely or start online therapy with Onebright for immediate access to help.
• You can also use various app-based self-management tools.

How can we help support you during COVID-19

If you are struggling with your mental health and are starting to feel anxious or down, then below is a list of services we have that will be able to support you:

• Online therapy – we can offer one-to-one therapy delivered through Skype, FaceTime or via telephone.
• Self-guided therapy – Access an online portal that will allow you to work through your problems whenever suits you, anytime, anywhere.