With the ups and downs of life (not to mention the holidays!) come lots of emotions. One of them can be times of sadness which is perfectly normal, but when does sadness fall into depression?
Do you feel like you are depressed or are your friends saying you might be depressed? If so, you are not alone. Depression is a common problem but there is also a lot more help with depression than you may realize.
Many people are exhibiting many of the signs of depression without even knowing it. Depression can come on suddenly if it is associated with a trauma or overwhelming event, but depression often comes on very subtly; not all at once.
Depression can come on and you may not even notice it. Because it comes on slowly, little by little it may have taken it's toll with you unaware. It is similar to the way we don't notice how much our kids have grown but a distant relative who doesn't see the child everyday notices the growth spurt significantly. So is depression unnoticed by the person experiencing it. You see it everyday yet it goes by unnoticed.
Anxiety, fear, sadness, and pain are all the beginning stages of what can lead into depression. It slowly becomes worse and become severe. Sleeping, eating, basic everyday tasks is a challenge. You may feel numb or unmoved and your weight may change one way or another. Your concentration is nil and you avoid groups, social activities and become more alone.
Things that you used to do at one time are no longer enjoyable. Easy jobs are avoided and simple things like opening the mail, answering phone calls or daily chores become monumental.
You may wonder if you are just sad or truly experiencing depression. Depression can be different for everyone but there are some similarities. 1. You are consistently sad, irritable and angry. 2. You can not laugh or have fun. Life seems dull and boring. 3. You feel like you don't fit in and have nothing to offer. 4. You lose sleep or sleep all day. 5. You hurt and feel achy for no reason. 6. You cry a lot. 7. Your weight fluctuates one way or another. 8. Focusing on tasks is hard if not impossible. 9. You are hopeless and see no way out. 10. You want to escape. If you are thinking of hurting yourself or others or want to escape there are some things you can do to help yourself heal. If the thoughts are constant, you need to get help from someone as soon as possible. It may seem impossible, but fight those feelings of defeat and find a pastor or counselor who help people all the time in this capacity. They are trained to know what to say and will keep your conversations in the strictest confidentiality. Their professional opinion will help tremendously.
When you talk to someone that is sworn to silence it can help make you feel better and relieve the tension that comes with the depression. Even though it seems there are no answers, there are.
Start journaling. This is one you can do for free. Honestly write down your thoughts and do not edit your thoughts to make them sound better than they are! If you are scared someone might read your most intimate thoughts, read them in the morning then flush them if you want to hide your words. But, the main thing is to start dumping out of your head all your thoughts onto paper. There is something very therapeutic about writing down your thoughts. What most people say is that writing it down was the first time they realized exactly what was going on in their mind. It forces you to be honest and say what is really bothering you. It is also a way to be compassionate toward yourself and give some credit to the feelings that are hurting you so deeply.
One way to help write down your thoughts is by writing down only one issue and then break the issue down into 4 parts.
First, describe the situation. For example, I am angry that my husband is late again for dinner.
Second, what are all your thoughts about what happened. (Be honest and do not edit). For example, "if he loved me, he would have called or would have been on time. Other things mean more to him than I do."
Third, write down your true emotions about the issue. I am fearful, I am sad, I am lonely because...etc.
Last, try to describe the action you are choosing to take with the given issue. For example, if you are crying, blaming others, mad at God, avoiding conflict, etc. write that down. You will be amazed about the honesty and insight it will reveal.
Those that chose the path to end their lives yet failed were sharing how they became hopeful only after their thoughts were shared and they grew to understand the depression. They realized their feelings were temporary and easier to deal with.
You have heard that time heals, but time only heals if you are healing. If you are not healing, time just petrifies and hardens hearts and makes us self-defensive and over protective. Take a step and begin healing today and get ready for a happier and healthier life!
PS. If your depression has gotten to the point where you are having thoughts of ending your life, please call 911 and get some help immediately. Or call a counselor, who will know how to help. - 29881
Many people are exhibiting many of the signs of depression without even knowing it. Depression can come on suddenly if it is associated with a trauma or overwhelming event, but depression often comes on very subtly; not all at once.
Depression can come on and you may not even notice it. Because it comes on slowly, little by little it may have taken it's toll with you unaware. It is similar to the way we don't notice how much our kids have grown but a distant relative who doesn't see the child everyday notices the growth spurt significantly. So is depression unnoticed by the person experiencing it. You see it everyday yet it goes by unnoticed.
Anxiety, fear, sadness, and pain are all the beginning stages of what can lead into depression. It slowly becomes worse and become severe. Sleeping, eating, basic everyday tasks is a challenge. You may feel numb or unmoved and your weight may change one way or another. Your concentration is nil and you avoid groups, social activities and become more alone.
Things that you used to do at one time are no longer enjoyable. Easy jobs are avoided and simple things like opening the mail, answering phone calls or daily chores become monumental.
You may wonder if you are just sad or truly experiencing depression. Depression can be different for everyone but there are some similarities. 1. You are consistently sad, irritable and angry. 2. You can not laugh or have fun. Life seems dull and boring. 3. You feel like you don't fit in and have nothing to offer. 4. You lose sleep or sleep all day. 5. You hurt and feel achy for no reason. 6. You cry a lot. 7. Your weight fluctuates one way or another. 8. Focusing on tasks is hard if not impossible. 9. You are hopeless and see no way out. 10. You want to escape. If you are thinking of hurting yourself or others or want to escape there are some things you can do to help yourself heal. If the thoughts are constant, you need to get help from someone as soon as possible. It may seem impossible, but fight those feelings of defeat and find a pastor or counselor who help people all the time in this capacity. They are trained to know what to say and will keep your conversations in the strictest confidentiality. Their professional opinion will help tremendously.
When you talk to someone that is sworn to silence it can help make you feel better and relieve the tension that comes with the depression. Even though it seems there are no answers, there are.
Start journaling. This is one you can do for free. Honestly write down your thoughts and do not edit your thoughts to make them sound better than they are! If you are scared someone might read your most intimate thoughts, read them in the morning then flush them if you want to hide your words. But, the main thing is to start dumping out of your head all your thoughts onto paper. There is something very therapeutic about writing down your thoughts. What most people say is that writing it down was the first time they realized exactly what was going on in their mind. It forces you to be honest and say what is really bothering you. It is also a way to be compassionate toward yourself and give some credit to the feelings that are hurting you so deeply.
One way to help write down your thoughts is by writing down only one issue and then break the issue down into 4 parts.
First, describe the situation. For example, I am angry that my husband is late again for dinner.
Second, what are all your thoughts about what happened. (Be honest and do not edit). For example, "if he loved me, he would have called or would have been on time. Other things mean more to him than I do."
Third, write down your true emotions about the issue. I am fearful, I am sad, I am lonely because...etc.
Last, try to describe the action you are choosing to take with the given issue. For example, if you are crying, blaming others, mad at God, avoiding conflict, etc. write that down. You will be amazed about the honesty and insight it will reveal.
Those that chose the path to end their lives yet failed were sharing how they became hopeful only after their thoughts were shared and they grew to understand the depression. They realized their feelings were temporary and easier to deal with.
You have heard that time heals, but time only heals if you are healing. If you are not healing, time just petrifies and hardens hearts and makes us self-defensive and over protective. Take a step and begin healing today and get ready for a happier and healthier life!
PS. If your depression has gotten to the point where you are having thoughts of ending your life, please call 911 and get some help immediately. Or call a counselor, who will know how to help. - 29881
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