How To Fight Depression In 2021: Steps to overcome loneliness while you're social distancing

To overcome depression, it helps to know the facts. Depression is a medical condition and not "laziness" or a temporary response to normal grief and/or discouragement.Symptoms of DepressionA major depressive episode is defined as experiencing five or more of the following symptoms every day (or most days) for two weeks or more:1) Depressed or irritable mood2) Sleep problems (i.e., sleeping too much or too little; sleeping mainly during the day)3) Change in interests (i.e., not being interested in what you used to enjoy) or low motivation4) Excessive guilt or unrealistically low self-image5) Significantly low energy and/or change in self-care (i.e., not showering anymore)6) Significantly worse concentration (i.e., a sharp decline in grades or performance)7) Changes in appetite (i.e., eating too much or too little)8) Agitation or severe anxiety/panic attacks9) Suicidal thoughts, plans or behaviours - including self-harm (i.e., intentionally cutting or burning yourself)10) It's important to remember that not everyone who is depressed is suicidal. You can still seek help even if you haven't demonstrated any specific suicidal or self-harm behaviours, or even if your symptoms aren't as severe or persistent as the symptoms noted above. WHAT NEXT?Buying this book is the best action to take right now.Social distancing is critical to containing COVID-19 - but it may create negative emotions in some people. Specifically, social isolation can cause feelings of loneliness. Here also includes some ideas about how to overcome those feelings during this time of face-to-face isolation or distancing.Many people are compensating for a lack of social contact by seeking out electronic connections (social media, FaceTime, Skype). That's fine, but it's important to avoid sources of negativity found online or in the media. An important question to ask yourself is: "Will what I read or see increase my sense of community and connection, or will it increase my sense of alienation, anger, or anxiety?" This question also applies to what you write or re-post online (rumours, conspiracy theories, rants against groups we don't like). Our expressed frustrations during a crisis reveal our pre-existing biases.