Coping with depression and coming out strong

 

I want to start off by saying that recovery from depression is possible. Depression or major depressive disorder is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act – psychiatry.com. It drains your energy, hope and drive, making it difficult to take the steps that will help you feel better.

Depression is a common mental disorder affecting more than 264 million people worldwide- WHO.

The things that help the recovery the most are the most difficult to do. Taking the 1^st step is the hardest, but going for a walk or getting up and dancing to your favourite music is something you can do right now as it can substantially boost your mood and energy for several hours.

Major causes of depression:

1)    Abuse: Physical, sexual or emotional.

2)    Age : elderly people living alone and having lack of social support are at a higher risk of depression.

3)    Conflict : it may be a result of personal conflict or disputes with family or friends.

4)    Death or a loss: Sadness or grief after death or loss of a loved one though natural, can increase the risk

5)    Major events: starting a new job, getting married, losing a job, or getting divorced, retiring.

6)    Serious illness: major illnesses too can trigger depression.

7)    Ongoing pandemic COVID 19 or Corona has also affected many people and pushed them into depression due to the following reasons:

·         No social meetings,

·         No meetings with friends

·         No outings

·         Work from home

·         Nobody to talk your heart out -in case of bachelors and even married  

·         Fear of loss of jobs,

·         Fear of salary cuts.

What you should do during depression :

I understand that it is not very easy to come out of depression as I have experienced personally, but I feel that by taking the following small but positive steps day by day I soon lifted the heavy fog of depression and found myself feeling happier, healthier and more hopeful again. Listing below a few of the personal experiences which may be of help to a friend in need:

1)    Look for support from people who make it feel safe and cared for

2)    Reduce your stress: lead a balanced life by engaging in regular exercise, getting enough sleep, nurturing relationships.

3)    Try to keep up with social activities even if you don’t like it.

4)    “ I am strong and I will survive” : Think like an Optimistic, not a Pessimist: actually positive thinking can help you to be more effective in your life and less stressed. I followed the line that one of the best positive thinking strategies one should adopt is optimistic thinking.

5)    Learn to forgive yourself and others: don’t hold on to grudges and try to see the best in people.

6)    Sleep well: Sleep and mood are intimately related. A study found that more people with major depressive disorders experienced sleep disturbance. Use your bed only for sleep and sexual activities, doing work in bed or even bedroom can cause your bed with stress.

7)    Find ways and means to support others: support from others is always welcome, but research shows that your mood triggers mood boost from providing support, so find small or big ways to do something for others.

8)    Build up a strong will power by reading positive and inspirational quotes.

9)    Express your problems to a good listener: Speak your heart out to someone, maybe your friend, family member or someone very close who can listen patiently to your problems and soothe your adverse feelings and emotions. This listener must patiently listen to the affected person and try to fill him with positive things that are happening around and help him to come out of the negative position that the person has taken.

Moreover reading some positive quotes when one is depressed might distract him from the depression’s pain. Hence I am putting together some very positive and inspirational quotes and pray to Almighty to give relief to the affected persons:

            “ There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn’t” – John Green

 “ The sun is a daily reminder that we can rise again from the darkness. That we too can believe our own light” – Sara  Ajna

“ Stay strong, your story isn’t over yet” – healthyplace.com

 “ Give yourself another day, another chance. You will find your courage eventually. Don’t give up on yourself yet.” – David Mitchell

“ I think that little by little I’ll be able to solve my problems and survive.” – Frida Kahlo.

And if not cured or paid attention in time this might lead to suicidal tendencies and one may take the ultimate step too, but life is a precious gift of God and nobody has a right to take his or her own life, as it is something entrusted by Him for safe keeping. No one, I repeat no one has a right to throw or waste something given by Him.                               

Life takes care of itself even if you wish to destroy it. To emphasise on this point I wish to give an example beautifully explained by Sadhguruji, of how it does so:

“ I do not wish you to lose , but tomorrow suppose you lose ½ of your wealth and as a result are feeling depressed and your mind says ‘ I want to die’.

Just hold your nose with your thumb and a finger for 2 minutes.

What does your body say “ To hell with your money, I want to live.”

So you see even if one dares to end his life in depression, life itself won’t allow him to do so.

 

             

It is my prayer to the Almighty that all of us who are depressed in these difficult times should be brave and by following the above tips religiously, should come out of the state of affairs they are in...

                                        

Inputs & Pics courtesy Google, helpguide.org,verywellmind.com,unsplash

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