How to deal with stress and depression related to work?

Question

Hello doctor,

My friend is 35 years old. She had polio at the age of 2 and was unable to walk. She is under depression now due to work stress. She behaves like a mentally challenged person. We do not know what is going on in her mind. For three months, she has been behaving like this. What to do?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

I understand your concern. Your friend may have major depressive disorder due to stress. There is non-pharmacological management for her depression, she should try to follow the below guidelines to deal with it.

She must try to find her stress and work on it. She must take the help of someone to deal with her problem.
She should do exercises daily for 30 to 45 minutes. She should do exercise which she can do.
She should do meditation for 20 minutes daily, just sit in one place in a comfortable position, and try to concentrate on her normal breathing, not stop or force herself to stop her thoughts, and just let it be.
She should eat healthy home-cooked foods, and avoid junk foods.
She must drink enough water.
She should spend quality time with friends and family daily or do video calls if you are leaving away from her family.
She should spend time on creative hobbies like reading good books, writing journals, painting, drawing, and learning new skills or language or musical instruments.
She should take enough 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.
She must avoid tobacco or alcohol or any substance abuse.
She must respect herself and love herself.
She must take a break from her life and go for a short vacation.
If your friend still has symptoms that persist after following the advice for 4 to 6 weeks, then she needs to start medications for a short duration.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.