STOP and GO Method to Deal With and Control Your Depression

One of the most powerful skills you can develop to effectively mange, control and end your depression, is learning to STOP and Go.  The table below gives an overview of the STOP and Go method.  Below the table you will find two downloadable worksheets that will help you develop and practice the STOP and Go technique and thus learn how to deal with your depression.  

Don’t Move!!	Stop Take a Breath. Feel your breath move in and out of your body. Remember to practice your mindful breathing exercises daily! Remember to use deep diaphragmatic/stomach breathing!
Wait! Not Yet.	Observe. What are you thinking? What is going on physically? What are you feeling? What are your Surroundings? Pull Back and Put in Perspective. Is it out of my control? Is this a fact or just my perception? What would others say or do? What are my automatic negative thoughts or distortions? Is this in my best interest? What is the overall picture?
You’re Ready!	Go With and Practice What Works! Journal, continue with your mindful breathing exercise, get out of bed, go to the store, make that phone call, talk to that person, use your daily thought changing tools, challenge your thoughts etc.

Use the Stop and Go Worksheet to the left immediately upon feeling depressed to begin to learn how to cope with your depression.  The key to the Stop and Go method is to practice it daily.  It may take time for you to develop the Stop and Go skills, but once you have the skills you will most assuredly learn how to deal with and manage your depression.

Use the STOP and GO Cards to the left to help you remember to Stop before you act , and the necessary steps of STOP and GO.