Often, people say they are depressed or are suffering from depression when what they really mean is that they are feeling out of sorts. They feel low, run down, tired and lacking energy, miserable and fed up with life. These feelings usually pass in a matter of days, hours even minutes.
As human beings we drop in and out of emotional states regularly throughout the day. It is not uncommon for someone to feel ‘on top of the world’ one minute and ‘down in the dumps’ the next. This usually happens when feeling high and on top of the world and suddenly you encounter some news or a person who has such an effect on you, your emotional state changes. It can of course happen the other way around too.
Depression can present itself in many forms: from feeling low in spirits to feeling almost suicidal. The point to remember is that there are varying degrees and types of depression and no two people suffer exactly the same.
Feeling low happens sometimes, but if it continues and interferes with your daily life then it is time to do something about it, and; because depression presents itself in many different ways, you may not realise what’s going on. Contrary to popular belief not all signs of depression are connected with the mind, sometimes your problems seem to be physical rather than mental or emotional.
Mental health is as important if not more important as physical health, however most people brush aside any connections with mental health as in ‘it can’t happen to me’. Mental health issues can affect anyone – no one is immune. Unfortunately mental health issues often comes with stigma, which is why a lot of people do not seek help.
Depression can affect anyone, young or old, male or female, and can sometimes appear for no obvious reason. So what triggers depression?
There is no specific event or trauma that causes depression simply because as individuals we all respond differently to every day events of life and the not so ordinary events of life.
It is also important to note that it isn’t always the negative experience that causes depression but how we respond to that experience. To explain, if the feelings that emerge due to the experience are not explored and expressed at the time, they can gnaw away at you and consequently become a contributing factor to depression.
Misplaced or unaddressed anger can also be a contributing factor to depression and can link back to unresolved childhood issues. Physical conditions such as those that affect the brain and nervous system can have an effect on depression: as can, hormonal problems – particularly those connected with the thyroid and parathyroid. Sleep problems can be linked to depression as can low blood sugar and menstrual or menopausal problems. Even some medications are linked with contributing to depression.
How then do you overcome depression?
Some people erroneously think that by changing their mood with alcohol or drugs they can help in getting rid of depression or depressive thoughts. This however, could not be further from the truth. Alcohol is not the mood enhancing drug it is claimed to be – alcohol is actually a depressant and can contribute to worsening the situation.
The most important thing to accept is that normally there are no instant solutions to life’s problems. Furthermore to get to the bottom of problems always involves the investment of time, energy and work. If depressed, you may not be feeling at all energetic or motivated to work on your underlying problems. However, research has shown that if you are active in your treatment it will help your situation.
One of the main things to be aware of is getting caught in the cycle of negativity. With depression it can be very easy to get into a cycle of automatic negative thoughts. These thoughts then become difficult for you to challenge leading to you getting depressed and then you get more depressed about being depressed. This then results in the state of depression becoming a bigger problem than the actual difficulties that caused the depression in the first place.
A conscious effort is required to break the hold that the depression has on you. Making a decision to do something to help yourself is the most important decision you can make in life for yourself.
One big step in the right direction is to inform your doctor how you are feeling; anti-depressant drugs can help in the initial stages of treatment enabling you to feel calmer and in a better position to seek help with talking therapies. It helps to talk to a qualified therapist or practitioner who will listen to you in a non-judgemental way and help you to uncover the strategies you as an individual need to overcome or at least handle your depression differently.
Mental health is important and affects physical health. There are many forms of depression and there are equally a number of approaches to dealing with it. Are you ready to invest time, effort and work with regard to your wellness?
If any of this article resonates with you and feel you would like someone to talk to and to explore the help available then please feel to contact me by sending an email to info@drewryder.com or by clicking on this link https://drewryderes.youcanbook.me/