These days everywhere you look, you spot people talking about things not going right or how they feel stressed and "depressed". Depression has hit society in the worst way ever - right from adults to kids.
Unknowingly, we stereotypically portray depression as sadness with the extensive usage of the word.
What is depression?
Depression is not being unhappy; it is not anger, fear, or loneliness - it is none of these individually and yet it is all of these and much more.
Depression is a real illness and help is available. The deeper the roots of depression, the more time it takes for a person to heal. Depression is being numb. It is nothingness. It is exhausting. It takes away all motivation and leaves a feeling of hopelessness. There is a lack of energy - it's more like a void where nothing grows or changes, where time does not exist, where there is nothing and no one. Of course, it is difficult for the person trying to cope with it as well as for the people around them.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression will overcome it.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day, and may include:
Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
How to cope with depression?
ACCEPTANCE - Accept self and others (with or without depression) without asking for a change. This is the first step in healing. You can't change something if you resist it as the resistance keeps the energy flowing in that same direction that you wish to alter.
COMPASSION - Choose compassion. Choose the wholeness of being instead of viewing yourself as someone who needs 'fixing'.
ROUTINE - Fix a morning routine to take time to feel gratitude, meditate, read a few pages of a book while sipping tea, exercise, write a journal, sleep for 7-8 hours daily and take a cold shower.
SEEK SUPPORT - Ask for help and seek professional support from a therapist in case the situation is extreme despite the self-help, positive lifestyles changes, and support from family and friends. There's no shame in seeking help to be healthy!
Everyone should be more accepting of mental health issues without any judgments. Take the leap of faith when you feel ready. Until then, just breathe! You are doing fine. Depression is real but so is hope and recovery.
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