Depression - 3 - Condition & Symptoms

Possible Action Steps

Find out if the individual wants to talk about the ways that stress negatively impacts his/her health. If not, find out what he/she does want to talk about today and talk about that instead.
Have the individual identify what they consider to be healthy and unhealthy coping strategies.
Problem solve on ways to reduce the individual's stress.
Problem-solve how to use a new healthy coping strategy.
Ask individual to choose one way to reduce stress and try it out in the next few days.
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Find out if the individual wants to talk about self-managing their depression. If not, find out what he/she does want to talk about today and talk about that instead.
Learn what the individual currently does on a routine basis to manage their depression. Where does the individual think they are doing a good job and where could they make improvements?
Together, make a plan to address situations in which routines and sleep will be challenged - travel, holidays, eating at restaurants, days with doctor appointments, visitors, etc.
Find out if the individual knows which behaviors improve/worsen their mood.
Find out if the individual acknowledges a plan or intention to act on suicidal thoughts. If so, talk about the need to call 9-1-1 or a doctor. (NOTE: In addition, Health Coach is directed to follow company guidelines in this situation.)
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Find out if the individual wants to talk about the connection between sleep and depression. If not, find out what he/she wants to talk about today and talk about that instead.
Find out about the individual's sleep history and patterns. How does individual rate their quality and quantity of sleep on a 0-10 point scale?
Discuss the importance of good sleep and reducing severity of depression.
Ask individual if they know of any ways to improve their sleep habits.
Help individual make a plan to improve sleep quality and quantity.
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Find out if individual wants to talk about how depression symptoms are worsened by non-prescription drug use and/or alcohol use. If not, find out what he/she does want to talk about today and talk about that instead.
Encourage individual to talk about their non-prescribed drug use and/or alcohol use.
Encourage individual to think about how non-prescribed drugs and/or alcohol would most likely affect their depressive symptoms. Which drugs, in addition to all types of alcohol, are depressants?
If the individual acknowledges use of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, have the individual identify a small step change to try in the upcoming week.
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Find out if the individual wants to talk about their long-term health prognosis - do they think that depression is forever, or if it is self-limited? If he/she does not want to talk about that topic, find out what they want to talk about today and talk about that instead.
Explain to the individual that in most cases, over time and sticking to the treatment plan, depression gets better or goes away completely.
Encourage individual to describe their treatment plan and assign a letter "grade" for how well they have adhered to the plan.
Clearly express the opinion that research supports the combination of medication + psychotherapy as the most effective treatment for depression.
Discuss some simple things that might help to improve mood in the upcoming week: Take one short walk each day, make effort to get healthy sleep, eat one healthy-delicious meal each day, do one fun activity each day, or drink 1-2 fewer alcoholic drinks each day.
Together, develop a plan to change one mood-influencing behavior in the upcoming week.
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.

Supporting Resources