What does it mean to live an antidepressant life?
It’s a question I think about every day. (Really. I have an entry for this on my daily to-do list.)
“Antidepressant life” is a phrase I picked up from one of my personal heroes, Dr. Marsha Linehan. This way of living is marked by persistent efforts to reduce the risk of depressive episodes.
An antidepressant life isn’t a way to “snap out of it.” It takes time, and it usually involves a series of tiny, seemingly inconsequential choices. The work often feels like pulling yourself out of a tub of molasses: rapid movements wear you out, while slow, steady motion eventually produces sustainable change. There is nothing quick or easy about this process.
Many people need the support of a great therapist. Some can’t make progress without medication or interventional procedures. But as momentum develops, building an antidepressant life becomes a core part of recovery.
(And for people who don’t experience depression, an antidepressant life may help to prevent future problems.)
I’ve noticed seven common principles that support an antidepressant life. These certainly aren’t exhaustive, and some may resonate more than others [1]. But I think they’re a useful place to start.
Connection: being seen, accepted, and valued by others.
Creation: expressing your will, emotions, or intelligence through something more than your own internal experience.
Honor: living in a way that minimizes conflict between your actions and your values.
Play: enjoying recreation in a way that fosters challenge, competition, amusement, or a sense of flow.
Routine: maintaining a flexible system that improves your ability to function despite depressive symptoms.
Strength: developing resilience, grit, and physical capacity.
Wonder: experiencing awe through a connection with something bigger than yourself.
In the coming weeks, I’ll explore each of these principles in a little more depth. I’ll try to highlight common pitfalls and discuss practical steps that support progress.
As always, don’t feel like you have to do this on your own. There are many excellent clinicians who would be happy to support you in building an antidepressant life.
Footnotes
[1] I’ve listed these principles in alphabetical order because the value of each principle is individual. Most people find that connection is invaluable, so this ordering has at least one happy coincidence.