Depressed or Depri? Today, World Mental Health Day, sharing this article again, written for a compilation created in 2017. To bring awareness to the subject and for all you dear beautiful souls who are feeling depressed. To remind you, you are not alone…
Before you read the article below, you might want to watch this video. Labels are created by people; make sure you are even given the correct label.
Regardless if your mental health is compromised due to a physical, emotional or other reason… Only you can decide how to go about this state of mind.
For Pax et Dolor Magazine I wrote an article about Depression, in the hope it will inspire you to connect with just anyone and share your feelings. Since then, February 2017, I have kept educating myself more about this subject. Knowledge, build upon the knowledge of others, in combination with my own experiences resulted in an updated version of the original article:
The sun and moon switch in the sky, every morning, every night. You, however, don’t want to get up, or you stare at the ceiling unable to fall asleep. The weather girl telling you another day without the sun is ahead of you, or you long for a long cold winter to numb your feelings. The love of your life no longer feels the same way about you. You got fired, you lost your house. Maybe, your physical health prohibits you from following your dreams. So many reasons why a person can get depressed.
Are you really depressed?
Every now and then, you feel down, don’t want to get up, or you get moody watching the weather girl, that doesn’t automatically mean you are depressed. Every human being has his/her ‘bad days’. I call that being depri, it is a Dutch abbreviation from depressie (depression). Taking a sick day, watching a movie and eating your favorite snacks, will make you feel better.
Do you feel gloomy every day, see only dark colors in your future? Feel like sleeping all day long, or aren’t able to sleep at all? Feel the need to eat constantly, or don’t have any desire to eat? Thoughts like “Why even bother, I will never feel happiness again” and maybe even “I just want to die?”
When you recognize all described feelings and situations and if they are applicable to you (almost) every day and for longer than two weeks in a row … Depression could be the reason why you feel stuck. Stuck in those painful emotions and thoughts. Overwhelmed by feelings of being alone and nobody understanding you.
You know you are depressed for sure?
Let me tell you… No… Let me reassure you: you are not the only one! I am a person who has to be aware of not becoming overwhelmed with sad and negative thoughts about the world around me and about myself. It took me a while to accept, that not everyone will understand me, or get what is important to me. That isn’t easy and feeling alone, in this world full of beautiful souls, well…that happens to me too.
If you become depressed once, you most likely will have to be aware of depression throughout your life. Now, that isn’t very hopeful, is it? That is why I wanted to write this article. To let you know, there IS hope. There really is!
Taking back control
You could go to a doctor, psychologist, therapist and if you google, you will find all the necessary information you need to educate yourself and where you can find the support suitable for you. Did you know, for instance, food is also a big influence on how you feel? You don’t need to become the next famous bodybuilder; however, exercise can be helpful too.
Taking back control is about looking at your own responsibility for your own life. No, we can’t control everything. However, we can choose how to deal with a challenge. Life is an ongoing process, change inevitable and most importantly to remember: the perfect way does not exist. Could it be possible, you can move beyond depression and, just like everyone else, only have depri moments once in a while? I did. A human being, no superhero, just like you.
Feelings and thoughts
Taking that first step, the first step back up that negative spiral, might feel impossible. Reaching out to another person, ignoring those feelings of shame or being unworthy might seem too big of a step to take. Have you ever considered it is all about that: feelings and thoughts? You probably don’t even trust yourself anymore, and now I tell you to trust another soul?
Yes, I do. Because you know what? You have nothing left to lose…
Right?
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Need to talk to someone ASAP? Visit this site: IASP
Connect with me, if you want to start thriving (again): Guidance
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Remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!
Patty Wolters
Original published compilation
4 Responses
Beautiful – it’s so important to raise awareness of depression.
Thank you Jess 🙂 Yes it is, but also important people know the difference between depression and ‘just feeling blue’ for a while.
XxX
I agree, but I think feeling blue is less permanent and less debilitating than being depressed. However, this is not for me to judge, and is definitely dependent on the person!