Why Do So Many Of Us Get Depressed
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008
by Susan Thom
When I skim through my articles, especially on the first of the month, when I can see clearly which articles already have "hits", I can clearly see that the articles that have numbers, are always the articles about depression. Out of over 600 articles, depression is the number 1 hit. That says a lot to me about the state of our world. I suffer from depression, and I know why I almost sank like a brick in the water a few times. So maybe first I can point out some of the reasons I've experienced, for depression, although it never really needs a reason.
Once I was back on the right medication, things begin to look up. I found myself smiling and laughing again, no more tears, or sitting outside, the need to lie in bed was no longer there. I went food shopping at Wal-Mart's, always an overwhelming feat when I was depressed, ran my errands around town, and took care of my home. I started going to a reflexologist a couple of years ago, and although I haven't been able to go to her for months, what I learned by going has stayed with me. I plan on returning again one day soon.
I learned how to think about myself, and to work on balancing my mind, heart, and soul. I was reminded that there is no in without an out, no near without a far, no beginning without an end. Life is cyclical. What goes around most definitely comes around, and when you know the truth in your mind, heart, and soul, no one can change that. Each day brings a little more strength until you are actually feeling close to "normal." Now, what do you do to stay that way?
I had to segregate myself from the things I could do something about, and the things I couldn't, the people I could help, and the people I needed to stay away from. I began to surround myself only with people who were honest and caring and compassionate. Those I had things in common with, and who meant me no harm, and caused me no worry. I'm a mother of three, so I have three people to worry about as it is, and I'm working on that. I put everything I knew into them when I could, as they were growing up, and two are out in the World on their own. My trust in God, and that His hand reaches further than mine, is my salvation.
Next, I needed to find some way of positively using my time. I am at home, and my Crohn's keeps me there, so I had to imagine what I could do on a daily basis to feel better about myself; always good for depression! I began writing on this site, and I had something positive to do. I could stir up my creativity, use my brain, try to help other people who may be going through the same things as I am, and are experiencing the same feelings. So, here I am. Many hours are spent writing or reading. In between, are the daily chores. Once they're done, I can sit outside on my swing, read a book, call a friend, or just watch nature perform for me.
The energy I get from watching nature is overwhelming. I love it all. It gives me positive energy, and that helps keep me from feeling depressed. Lethargy that comes from depression keeps me in the house, until I realized those are the times I need to push myself, and go sit outside. Walk through the grass barefoot. Feel the energy from the Earth. Wonder at how big a turkey volture really is. See the tiny little clump of sweet yellow flowers, mixed in with the grass. Sit on the plush grass and get some sun light. Read a good book, in any peaceful spot you choose. I highly recommend, "Memoirs of an Immigrant." It will keep you enthralled for a few days. Take a nice aromatherapy bath, and relax in the warm water, listening to music so you won't bring any negativity into your space. Light a few candles.
This is for both men and women, men need to feel good under their stress as well. The more we do for ourselves, the better we feel, and the better we feel, the more we do for others. It is up to me to take myself out of the rest of the depression the medication just can't cover. I, for one, am a cancer, and we take things to heart. I have been trying to balance the traits my sign has. We don't like injustice or control, or the hurting of person or animal. And when these things occur, we feel it deeply, sometimes causing us to go into depression.
I have to work on those traits. I need to train my mind not to hurt itself everytime someone hurts my feelings. I need to learn humility, and then practice it. I should communicate my feelings, not hold grudges, or end up angry. I must learn to be silent when someone else is talking. The same respect is usually then given back. It's not as easy as it seems. I first learned how to do so in a twelve step program. No one talked over each other. If you had a thought when someone was speaking, you just had to hold it until they were done. Doing so will help relationships stay positive and rewarding.
There are many thing one can do to help themselves through depression, but these are simply my opinions, they have worked for me, and they now seem pretty simple to figure out. If I'm depressed inside, maybe Ishould take a walk, or sit outside. I could watch a movie. Make some popcorn, take a nap. Go fishing, take a ride to a lake or the beach or take my camera outside and take as amny pictures as possible.
I have to keep moving, no matter what tries to flatten me. If I am depressed, that is so much harder to combat. If I seek help through a physician and a therapist, if possible, I can learn to help myself stay on the cusp of depression, and not fall over.
If you are suffering, add this to favorites and come back to it for some examples of what you can do to feel better. Tending to birdhouses is another positive thing to add to your routine. Watching the birds come to the seed is a happy, and positive experience. There is no shame in getting medication or help for depression. Life can be happy, and sometimes, we just need a little help along the way.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)HI Susan,Great article, and very well written.I am sorry that you and a million other people suffer from depression. I have never suffered from it my self, however that doesn't mean that it has not affected my life. I have a 23 year old daughter who suffers with very bad depression, and has at many times in her young life sat on the edge of the bed contemplating whether to live or die. I have cried many hours worrying about her, knowing that she is suffering and there is not much I can do. Her depression started in her young teenage years and has continued on. I fear for her all the time, she has attempted suicide 2 times, and the littlest set backs seem to send her over the edge. I'm at a loss most of the time for words to console her. But, God has provided me with a wonderful husband. He himself has suffered with depression, (however it was chemically induced from his heart medication) but because he has suffered with it, he truly understands how she feels. He's been incrediable with her and has pulled her through many crisis. I feel bad that I can't do more, all I have is prayer. I will add you to my prayer list.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi angie,i sympathize with your family, since depression does affect everyone.however, with the right medication, and it could take 20, 30, 100, who cares?) until your daughter finds the one that helps her, along with her physcian, i beg you to do so. my brother also tried suicide a number of times, and he kept trying different medications, none really helped, so he stopped trying, and tried to kill himself again, but won't go to try any more medications. it gets daunting afer a while, but when your body responds to the right one, it makes the difference of night and day. i ran out of mine through my divorce this whole past 18 months, and each time i did, i could feel the difference, and i cried all the time versus not at all on the meds.do some research yourself on different depression medicaton, and tell your doctor you'd like your daughter to try it. i did that a few times. finally, i am on the right medication.good luck to you and your family, i know what your daughter feels, i've been there, only i never tried to kill myself, i don't know why. but i have been to the point where i said, i don't care if i live or die, if not for my kids, i'd err on the side of death. but i wasn't on medication.it saddens me,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
SusanThanks for your information and for commenting on my first article submission yesterday! I sincerely appreciate it. Wow! You've got SO many articles posted ... I am just getting started doing this -- is this your favorite site to submit to?Montana GrayP.S. I, too, know the journey of depression -- it has been in my family for generations - and yes, there are so many folks dealing with it - many of them silently -- your article inspired me to go back and find some meds again...thx for that.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi montana,welcome to searchwarp.this is the only site i would post on.the editors and creators of this site are wonderful people who really care, and so are hundreds of authors, and thousands of readers.you're welcome for reading and commenting.i am so glad you have found this site.if you need any help, for any reason, let me know, and I can direct you.please follow through with going to a physicician and starting to see which medication works for you, don't give up until you do. the difference is remarkable.i have over 600 articles, some are archived (after a certain period, i forget how long) because i have been writing every day almost for the past 2 years.i hope you enjoy this site as well.keep writing!!!and i love the name montana!my best to you,i'm always here,my best,sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.
I have suffered depression on and off for years!! Its crept up on me again recently which has lead me to finding this web page!!!I can relate to what everyone says about suicide....i have never tried, simply, I believe, because I have two sons 17 and 14!! Although Id do "ANYTHING" to just stop feeling this way!! I feel lonely, empty, worthles, pathetic, useless, hopeless, ridiculous and why??? I dont know!! Slightest thing goes wrong and it feels like my world collapses.....What id like to say is i actually feel that reiki helps me....although i take medication too, but i was so impressed with reiki ive actually signed up today to do my reiki 2....i feel its for me and will take me on a journey to somewhere.....healing i hopewhen u feel rock bottom....you will try anything to make you better....please consider reiki.....mandyPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi mandy.thank you for reading and commenting.depression is an isidious disease that takes over when it feels like it.the simplest things:laundry, housecleaning, running errands, bogs one down, when at other times, these things are simple and easy for us to do.i appreciate your comment on reiki. i will look into it.my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi suethank u for taking time to respond to my suggestion.thats exactly right....i go to bed thinking tomorrow i WILL do some cleaning/ shopping etc...but i cant!!! and all the time im telling myself im being ridiculous....everythings an effort...an overwhelming effort!!hugz mandyPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi mandy,sometimes, we are so run down that we neexd to heal our minds, hearts, bodies and souls. we can read books on depression or anger, and understand them a little better, and learn how to calm ourselves some more. I've read about how the brain works, so i can understand why i feel the way i do at times. we can pamper ourselves, which ends up giving us energy; take a nice bath, have a nice cup of tea in the china cup and saucer, with a candle lit, sit on the swing, read a book, write an article, all things that begin to help us unwind. when we do, we usually feel better. when we feel better, we do more, and get more accomplished. it's alot about how we think about things. no shame or guilt to relax or pamper ourselves. i know about the overwhelming effort. i hate that feeling, but i do know it well. try doing things nice for yourself, and see what happens,i wish you luck,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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