Depression and ways to cope
What is depression?
Depresion is mental illnes that negatively effects your mind and self image.It often attacks you at your weakest moments such as after a loss or an traumatic event, but for people who struggle with it day to day it can beeven harder to deal with. This illness can make you feel as if you are nothing and never enough.Depression creates a dark state of mind and can put lives at risk.Although depression targets all age groups teenagers and yound adults are the most effected by the illness. The illnes can be caused by traumtic events and chemical inbalances. The illnes is very dangerous and canlead to death or other versions of self harm, Its a struggle that is very important but doesnt recieve enough attention. Another fact is that many times people view depression as something small or something that can be fixed easily just with meds and therapy. This is not the case though, there are numerous reports and cases of suicides from people who A.have depression and B. are medicated. My goal is to spread awarness and help others who struggle with this monster.
Ways to cope with depression
Depression is an illness that we know attacks the mind but it doesnt have to win over you if you take the correct precautionary steps. Its very comon to feel defeated while battling the illness but there are many ways to prevent that from happening and there are ways to assit you through the journey. The first step to helping yourself is recognizing the fact that you are not ok and are suffering from depression. The next step would be to ask your doctor to prescribe you medications. Although anti-depressents dont always work they still help and bring some relief. Yes the illnes is tough to deal with but it is very liveable. More strategies to help are spending time with loved ones, becoming more active, yard work such as gardening or trimming leaves, religous practice, getting more rest, and eating more healthily. Its surprising but a healthy diet can help because it gives the body more energy. Writing can also be used to help with coping with depression. Many therapist suggest it because it is never good to keep your feelings bottled up inside. Writing and drawing you feelings out releases the inside emotion and thoughts from your body. The cause and effect relationship between bottling your feelings and depression isnt so pretty. Sometimes we like to be independant and get to prideful but no one can keep everything in forever because every one has a breaking point no matter how "strong" someone seems. The most common forms of breaks are self harm,lashing and suicide that is why it is very crucial to be involved in positive activities and take steps towards that goal of being ok again.
How to help if an loved one is experiencing depression.
Depression can be hard and extremely tough to deal with that is why it important that if you are related to an person with depression then your job is to try your best to help them. Emotional support is a huge key to trying to overcome the demon of depression. Partaking in social activities with the loved one can help. Giving them comfort and an outlet to talk to is also important. The most crucial mistake people make when trying to help is that they push to hard. Yes if they are going through depression they need you to be there but make sure not to push. Being to pushy and forceful can lead to more stress and anxiety causing the situation to worsen. So your best bet is to just be there for them and care for them. Being to pushy is bad but also make sure that yor not seperated the space could result in the person sinking further into the whole. Yes it can be very confusing to grasp at first but you will eventually get the hang of it.
Medications and professional help.
Major depressive disorder is very serious and shouldnt be taking lightly. So if you are experiencing syptoms and feelings like increase in fatigue,decreased self image,deep and dark thoughts,felling useless,feeling very lonely, decrease in hunger or losing weight to fast, and thoughts of self harm you should seek professional help imediately. It is best to go to your doctor or book an appointment with an physcologist. Note doctors and mental health workers are only there to help you or your relative or friend they will not hurt you. The most common prescriptions given out are antidepresants such as Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, and zoloft. These medications work by trying to decrease the nuero chemicals that are making you feel the way you do. Like with any medication there will be side effects though. The side effects usually aren't bad and they are simple things such as increased fatigue or they can make you not want to eat as much. Seeing someone is also recommended. There are many professionals who's purpose is to help people who struggle with the disease. They are there to help you express your feelings and be a helping hand. I speak from personal experience getting a therapist or counselor or physcologist can greatly help you feel better. It make take time at first because most people keep things and emotions bottled up inside but with time and building a good relationship with them can ease some of the pain of it all.
This image is inspired by my sister. She struggles with depression and would often mask. Masking is a term that is used when a person puts on a smile in front of people and in public but deep down they feel very differently. The main reason for masking is to not worry others or they are to afraid to really come out with their feelings. The image i have created represents the outside or the "happines" during masking(the left) and the deep down feelings of sadness and pain.(the right) Masking is an common side effect of depression.
What is depression?
Depresion is mental illnes that negatively effects your mind and self image.It often attacks you at your weakest moments such as after a loss or an traumatic event, but for people who struggle with it day to day it can beeven harder to deal with. This illness can make you feel as if you are nothing and never enough.Depression creates a dark state of mind and can put lives at risk.Although depression targets all age groups teenagers and yound adults are the most effected by the illness. The illnes can be caused by traumtic events and chemical inbalances. The illnes is very dangerous and canlead to death or other versions of self harm, Its a struggle that is very important but doesnt recieve enough attention. Another fact is that many times people view depression as something small or something that can be fixed easily just with meds and therapy. This is not the case though, there are numerous reports and cases of suicides from people who A.have depression and B. are medicated. My goal is to spread awarness and help others who struggle with this monster.
Ways to cope with depression
Depression is an illness that we know attacks the mind but it doesnt have to win over you if you take the correct precautionary steps. Its very comon to feel defeated while battling the illness but there are many ways to prevent that from happening and there are ways to assit you through the journey. The first step to helping yourself is recognizing the fact that you are not ok and are suffering from depression. The next step would be to ask your doctor to prescribe you medications. Although anti-depressents dont always work they still help and bring some relief. Yes the illnes is tough to deal with but it is very liveable. More strategies to help are spending time with loved ones, becoming more active, yard work such as gardening or trimming leaves, religous practice, getting more rest, and eating more healthily. Its surprising but a healthy diet can help because it gives the body more energy. Writing can also be used to help with coping with depression. Many therapist suggest it because it is never good to keep your feelings bottled up inside. Writing and drawing you feelings out releases the inside emotion and thoughts from your body. The cause and effect relationship between bottling your feelings and depression isnt so pretty. Sometimes we like to be independant and get to prideful but no one can keep everything in forever because every one has a breaking point no matter how "strong" someone seems. The most common forms of breaks are self harm,lashing and suicide that is why it is very crucial to be involved in positive activities and take steps towards that goal of being ok again.
How to help if an loved one is experiencing depression.
Depression can be hard and extremely tough to deal with that is why it important that if you are related to an person with depression then your job is to try your best to help them. Emotional support is a huge key to trying to overcome the demon of depression. Partaking in social activities with the loved one can help. Giving them comfort and an outlet to talk to is also important. The most crucial mistake people make when trying to help is that they push to hard. Yes if they are going through depression they need you to be there but make sure not to push. Being to pushy and forceful can lead to more stress and anxiety causing the situation to worsen. So your best bet is to just be there for them and care for them. Being to pushy is bad but also make sure that yor not seperated the space could result in the person sinking further into the whole. Yes it can be very confusing to grasp at first but you will eventually get the hang of it.
Medications and professional help.
Major depressive disorder is very serious and shouldnt be taking lightly. So if you are experiencing syptoms and feelings like increase in fatigue,decreased self image,deep and dark thoughts,felling useless,feeling very lonely, decrease in hunger or losing weight to fast, and thoughts of self harm you should seek professional help imediately. It is best to go to your doctor or book an appointment with an physcologist. Note doctors and mental health workers are only there to help you or your relative or friend they will not hurt you. The most common prescriptions given out are antidepresants such as Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, and zoloft. These medications work by trying to decrease the nuero chemicals that are making you feel the way you do. Like with any medication there will be side effects though. The side effects usually aren't bad and they are simple things such as increased fatigue or they can make you not want to eat as much. Seeing someone is also recommended. There are many professionals who's purpose is to help people who struggle with the disease. They are there to help you express your feelings and be a helping hand. I speak from personal experience getting a therapist or counselor or physcologist can greatly help you feel better. It make take time at first because most people keep things and emotions bottled up inside but with time and building a good relationship with them can ease some of the pain of it all.
This image is inspired by my sister. She struggles with depression and would often mask. Masking is a term that is used when a person puts on a smile in front of people and in public but deep down they feel very differently. The main reason for masking is to not worry others or they are to afraid to really come out with their feelings. The image i have created represents the outside or the "happines" during masking(the left) and the deep down feelings of sadness and pain.(the right) Masking is an common side effect of depression.