7/1/2019 Basic Needs Checklist for Depression

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Needs Checklist for Depression
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Basic Needs Checklist for Depression
TO function 'properly', human beings need to meet a number of 'basic needs'.
Understand how
These are often taken care of by work, home life and pleasure pursuits;
depression works at a
however depression can cause them to be impaired.
glance
This list is given so that you can take a look at your own life to see if any area
could be improved. Of course, anyone may fall down on one or two, but much
more than that and you will probably be feeling the effects.
1. The need to give and receive attention
Human beings are social animals - we used to survive by being able to exist in
close-knit groups, so the exchange of attention can be seen as almost as vital
as food! This is why solitary confinement is seen as the ultimate punishment
in today's jails. Without human contact, mental health degrades rapidly. Testimonials for
the Learning Path
As depression causes you to participate less in social occasions, this need can
be affected. You may also find yourself talking more about your problems to "I've been through
friends and family, hoping to find a solution. the mill a bit over the
past year - went to
While of course it is good to talk about problems to an extent, too much focus the doctor re.
on them can put others off talking with you. depression, diagnosed
as clinical (reactive)
2. Taking care of the mind-body connection depression, and
suggested that I try
This means, basically, looking after yourself. Eating regular, healthy meals, counselling before
exercising appropriately, getting enough rest and relaxation. Again, this need going on Prozac..."
is often impacted as depression sets in.
Read Keith's full story
here...
3. The need for meaning, purpose and goals
In the larger context, it is important that you have something to focus on "I could write a very
outside of yourself. When a person becomes depressed, their sole goal can long mail to you right
become to 'get rid of the depression'. They might say things like, "Once I've now, but I will only
got rid of my depression, then I'll do X, Y or Z." This is perfectly keep you a little
understandable, but can worsen the situation as the person focuses on the longer, by mentioning
depression more and more, to the detriment of their wider life goals. a section in the
Learning Path, which
actually made me
4. The need for a connection to something greater than gasp"
ourselves
Read John's full story
People have been shown to be healthier generally when they feel comitted to here...
some cause, idea or group that involves more than just their own well-being.
Read more
5. The need for stimulation and challenge testimonials here.

The human brain seems to have an innate need to create, and to absorb new
information. Without an external source, the imagination can turn to creating
all sorts of unpleasant scenarios, often increasing anxiety, rumination and
worry, all bad for depression. The experience of being 'stretched', or using
skills to their maximum in a focused way, is also an essential part of a healthy
mind.

6. The need for intimacy and connection

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7/1/2019 Basic Needs Checklist for Depression
We all need to feel that we are connected in some way to something or
someone else. For some people, this can be fulfilled by a pet, but more often
this needs to be another person or people. If a person cuts themselves off,
this basic need can suffer.

7. The need for a sense of control

This is a key need, and it is obvious what happens when a person's life is
controlled by others. Torture, imprisonment, violence and psychological abuse
all remove control to varying degrees.

And of course, the place where we are used to having control is our own body
and mind. Depression removes some of this control, as you wonder what is
happening to you.

Completing the Learning Path should give you back some of your sense of
control.

Related: Interesting depression study shows how people eliminated

depression symptoms.

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The Depression Learning Path

was created by Mark Tyrrell and
Roger Elliott of Uncommon
Knowledge. Mark and Roger
have also written and recorded
over 800 hypnosis sessions at
Hypnosis Downloads, the web's
busiest hypnosis site where you
can get a cutting-edge hypnosis
session for almost any situation.

Mark Tyrrell Roger Elliott

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