How many of you suffer from depression, sadness ,dysthymia, constant feelings of worthlessness or guilt over something out of your control? Well join the club sista, we are all in this together!
Depression is a life sucking debilitating problem that has followed me for many years now, beginning when I was a teenager.
I have learned to hide my sadness fairly well until the last few years, I am usually a smiling happy go lucky appearing person on the outside, in public mostly. My family can attest that at home it is a totally different story. Home is where you find me in bed on bad days, no energy to do anything, up all night due to insomnia. On medication I am better some days, but it is a constant struggle to get anything done.
Slowly and day by day, I am learning how to sail my ship myself with prayerful guidance from above.
Without prayer and turning my struggles over to God, I would be nothing, He is my Rock and my salvation.
Lets focus on just what is depression, you need to recognize and then accept that you have an actual problem. It is really easy to blame your problems on other people, but take a good hard look at yourself first. It's ok, we all make mistakes and take the wrong paths in life. I have taken many paths of resistance and learned how to get back on the right path again.
From Healthline.com
Symptoms of depression can vary. They may manifest themselves differently from person to person. People who suffer from the condition often experience several of the following.
Sadness
The most common symptom of depression is a feeling of sadness or emptiness that lasts for more than two weeks. In the case of dysthymia, it can last for longer than two years. Dysthymia is a type of chronic depression in which a person’s moods are consistently low.
Worthlessness
Continual feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or helplessness often accompany the condition. People tend to focus on personal shortcomings or past failures and blame themselves when their life does not go the way they would like.
Irritability
Depression may cause people to get easily frustrated or angered, even over small or insignificant matters.
Fatigue
People with depression often experience lack of energy or feel tired all the time. Small tasks, like showering or getting out of bed, may seem to require more effort than one can manage.
Crying Spells
Sufferers may find themselves crying frequently for no apparent reason.
Apathy
People with depression commonly lose interest or stop finding pleasure in activities that they used to enjoy, including sex.
Restlessness
Agitation and restlessness, including pacing, an inability to sit still, or hand wringing, may occur with depression.
Lack of Concentration
People with depression may have a difficult time remembering, maintaining focus, or making decisions.
Withdrawal
Many people with depression shut themselves off from the world. They may isolate themselves, not answer the phone, or refuse to go out with friends.
Sleep Problems
People’s sleep habits are likely to change as a result of depression. They may not be able to fall asleep or stay asleep, or they may wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to go back to sleep. Other people may find they sleep for long periods and don’t want to get out of bed.
Overeating or Loss of Appetite
Depression can often cause a lack of interest in food and weight loss. In other people, depression leads to overeating and weight gain.
Thoughts of Suicide
Thinking or fantasizing about death is a serious sign that needs to be addressed right away.
Physical Pain
Physical symptoms, such as body pain, headaches, cramps, and digestive problems also can occur.
Wow, do you have almost all of those symptoms, me too at one time or another. Taking it day by day for me is the best plan, thinking of what good things you have in your life instead of all the bad.
Getting help immediately for deep feelings of suicide or self harm is imperitive, it is not failure to want to kill yourself, I have had these feelings myself, attempted several times ( yes I am a suicide surviver and thankful for everyday I am alive now!) but there is help for those feelings and people that do care about you and love you, even though you hate yourself right now.
Take overwhelming projects in small sections will help you accomplish them and feel good about yourself.
I have this huge mess right now out in my sun-room, it seems to be a catch all for everything that I don't want to deal with. I know that it needs to be cleaned up and I stare at the overwhelming pile of mess everyday. That room has become a source of anxiety, depression and avoidance for me, so I made a choice to take that chore in small sections. I will update you on my progress, if you will share with me some of your overwhelming anxiety producers too, deal?
Let's sail our ships into the sunset each day with faith, hope and love. Praying for you until next time.
Mental health is one of the most important aspect of health that is overlooked, underutilized and difficult to obtain. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, too many patients have unbearable difficulties obtaining mental health services and is lacking, especially in rural communities. As a family member to a dearly loved one with moderate to severe depression, it sheds a new light on it's importance.
ReplyDeleteYou never hear someone say to a diabetics or hypertensive patients "oh, just eat healthy, get enough sleep and think positive, you don't need your medicine." But, you will hear that all too often for someone suffering from depression. Thank you for talking about this important subject, and sharing a bit about yourself to help others. We need more of that in this in this world.