7 TIPS FOR COPING WITHCOGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

DURING DEPRESSIONBY DR. MICHAEL REED

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1. BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF. You deserve some slack now more than ever.

Cognitive problems are a symptom of yourdepression, not a failure on your part.

Having trouble focusing or making a decision?Take a break from the task and come back to itlater. Forgive yourself for needing a little extra

time than usual.

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2. REPEAT YOUR ACTIONS. Forgot what you were about to say or do?

Instead of trying to remember, act out whateveryou were just doing to recreate the moment

right before you forgot. This can help trigger thememory you just lost.

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3. TAKE YOUR TIME.It's common to feel like you have a hard time

understanding or communicating complicatedsentences or ideas. When reading, slow downyour pace. If you're speaking, stick to simplewords. Don't be afraid to take an extra few

seconds to mull something over in your mindbefore responding. People will just think you're

giving their idea a lot of thought.

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4. FOCUS ON THE DAY-TO-DAY.Facing an important decision like moving, changing

jobs, or getting married/divorced? Postpone anyfinal calls until you're feeling better. Big decisions

will only feel bigger under the weight of depression,and you might end up making a choice you

otherwise wouldn't if you had waited until you werein a better place. Focus on getting well. Leave big

life changes for when you can approach them with aclearer mind.

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5. ORGANIZE YOUR TO-DO'S.Anyone who has experienced depression knows

that it can distract you from even the simplest tasks.Before you start your day, write down everythingthat needs to get done (to the best of your ability)

and prioritize the more important tasks. Break largertasks up into smaller steps. Use sticky notes, to-dolists, and check marks to keep you organized and

on task throughout.

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6. PRACTICE GOOD SLEEP HYGIENE.Sleep is especially important for cognitive function.

Without it, even those without depression can sufferfrom lack of concentration, irritability, and fatigue.

Proper sleep hygiene means going to bed at the sametime every night, sleeping without the TV or any otherscreen on, keeping the room dark and quiet, not eating

a large meal right before bed, etc. Quality sleep willbenefit your ability to function in a big way.

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7. KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE.As you treat your depression, your symptoms will

subside, including the cognitive impairments you'reexperiencing. Coping with your symptoms is a small and

temporary part of the larger road to recovery.

Be sure to share your symptoms with your psychiatrist,so they can devise the best treatment for you. Together,

you can build a plan that is right for you.

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FOR MORE INFO ABOUT DR. MICHAEL REED,

PLEASE VISIT HIS WEBSITE.DrMichaelReed.org