Sadness or Depression? Helpful hints from a depressive person.
Article about: caring, Depression, Family Situations, helpful hints, mental health, Personal Development, self help, therapy
Have you ever had a friend or relative that seemed to be sad or ‘just down-in-the-dumps’? Are you sure that it is not depression? Depression is a confusing thing. When diagnosed with severe clinical depression, I found how baffling it could be. Have you ever said to someone “just snap out of it” or had it said to you?
Well, let me give you some of my ideas on the subject.
That phrase ‘just snap out of it’ is very hurtful. When I was (just) sad, it made me feel like I did not have the right to be sad. When I slipped into depression, I did not know how to ‘snap out of it’ and it made me even more depressed. I did not know how, because I had become confused about everything in my life. I started isolating and, eventually, tried to commit suicide. My depression had begun when I felt like I had no purpose. My husband had died and I did not seek help with the grief process. Just like many people, my sister had no clue that I had slipped into deep depression. She thought that I was ‘down’ and would ‘snap out of it’. She found me and got me the help I needed. I have since begun to learn about building my self-esteem. I needed to take some medications to help clear my mind and give me the physical ability to function. When my thinking became clearer, I was able to learn new coping skills.
Through psychotherapy and self-help groups, I was able to learn behavior modification and start on a journey of recovery, both mental and spiritual.
You might be able to help someone you know before they slip into depression. Do not say ‘just snap out of it’. Give them support. Sympathize a little. Let them know that it is okay to feel sad or lonely. We all have a right to our feelings.
You CAN do something to help them feel better:
§ Do not be judgmental or use phrases such as ‘you should’ or ‘you could’.
§ Ask them to tell you, if they can, about how they are feeling.
§ Empathize, if you can. (Let them know you have similar feelings sometimes.)
§ Tell them it is going to be okay.
§ Just giving them a hug is enough, sometimes.
§ Take them out and do something they like to do.
If you are not getting through to them or they seem to be slipping into depression, please seek professional advice, before telling them to get professional help. I am just a person who has been battling this problem for many years and I do not have all the answers. I hope that my suggestions will help someone in need.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...