Let's Talk Depression

You've heard my story about panic and anxiety. Did I mention that those lovely things usually go hand-in-hand with depression? Yep, I'm one of the lucky 3.3 million Americans who suffer from depression.

I think that some people have a distorted belief about depression. What it's not: having a sad day, crying all the time, just feeling a little blue. Not to say that people have this but for me, and many others, it looks different. I'm not necessarily sad or blue. It comes and goes. There's not a reason why I'm feeling depressed. I just feel depressed. So what does that mean 'to feel depressed?' To me it looks like this:

-lack of interest in doing things that were once enjoyable

-having a great day and then the next day feeling like you are in a hole

-body aches like you have the flu

-overwhelming feelings of impending doom (this is close to panic and usually amps the anxiety for me) and dread

-feeling tired even though I may have gotten 12 hours of sleep

-short-fused, anxious, and on edge

-losing a sense of direction in life (second guessing decisions and future plans)

Again, these are just some of the symptoms that I experience. Another thing that makes depression hard is that it pops up out of nowhere. Maybe it's lack of sunlight or from being stressed out, but sometimes there JUST ISN'T A REASON!

Oh, and another thing. People with depression can't just "snap out of it." Don't you think we would if we could? I mean, come on, who wants to feel depressed??? I know I sure don't!

So, how do I cope with depression? Here are some things that I've found help:

-anti-depressants (go ahead and judge. you take something for your high blood pressure? diabetes?) My thought is if it helps you live a better life, take them! They don't make you a zombie and completely numb to things. If they did I wouldn't still get depressed sometimes.

-therapy (I think we all need therapy!) Learning coping techniques can be super helpful for anxiety and depression. It takes work but it's totally worth it.

-eat a good diet (You're body can process things so much better if you are filling it with nutritious food)

-get out and WALK! (Fresh air and endorphins do wonders for mental health)

-find a buddy who understands. I have some AMAZING friends who struggle with anxiety and depression and sometimes sending them a little text can help immensely.

-IT WILL PASS...just remember, depression does have an end. What goes down must come up. And if you are stuck in a hole and simply can't climb out, seek help.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO

D