I thought that it would be appropriate to write this article while I'm going through an episode of depression. Depression is an illness that affects many people in the U.S. Many people hesitate to talk about it for fear that they may be portrayed as weak and looked upon in a different light. I was one of those people. When I was growing up no one would talk about it. Fortunately now people, even some of them celebrities are speaking out about the illness and how difficult it is to live with.
I can't speak for others but in my personal experience it creeps up on you slowly, you become preoccupied with negative thoughts and your daily activites become more difficult to perform. You have to take baby steps to make it through your day without breaking down.
In my opinion I look at depression as a chemical imbalance. I do not feel that circumstances cause this illness. The reason I am saying this is because I looked back in my case through the years and realized that I could barrel through difficult situations with ease and keep perfect control of my life and then when there are fewer problems in my life I tend to ease into this illness again. It just seems to surface from time to time.
Medication - I feel that medication should be taken if it is absolutely neccessary so you will be able to function. I have fought this idea for many years and ironically people, like myself, who should be medicated don't want to be and others that are simply having a down day are taking medications. The reason why I didn't want to take medication is because of the stigma behind mental illness. Remember, if you have depression you are not weak you just have an illness.   Also, I feel that sometimes you have to ride it out and hope that it goes away quickly.  Also, medications have some side effects. I have discussed my situation with my doctor and I am taking medication for a while.
Some of the  Symptoms of Depression Are -Â
1.  Sadness - I woke up one morning and felt as though I was grieving for someone and that someone was the old me.
2. Sleeplessness or getting too much sleep - In my case, I exhaust myself in the day so sleep is my only realease with the hope that I will feel better the next day.
3. Loneliness and a feeling of isolation - I my case I have plenty of wonderful family members but when I'm going through this illness I feel extremely isolated not the assertive person that I usually am.
4. Guilt - I my case I feel an overwhelming feeling of guilt that I am letting my family down even though I still manage to take care of them.  Most family members usually think it's about them and it's not.
5. Feelings of worthlessness - Your self-worth takes a big hit on this one. It doesn't matter what job you have or what you have accomplished in your life, depression will make you feel like you are less of a person that anyone else and this is the illness causing this feeling.
 6. Changes in appetite - In my case if anything good comes out of my depression it would be not wanting to eat. Of what I understand some people eat more.
In closing I just wanted to say for anyone suffering from mental illness I sympathize with you and I certainly know what it's like. If you have to see a doctor to help get you through do what you have to do even if it's determined that medication will help some.  A website that I joined at one point is Daily Strength and it was formed to help people with many different situations. There is a group on depression that will help.
I can't speak for others but in my personal experience it creeps up on you slowly, you become preoccupied with negative thoughts and your daily activites become more difficult to perform. You have to take baby steps to make it through your day without breaking down.
In my opinion I look at depression as a chemical imbalance. I do not feel that circumstances cause this illness. The reason I am saying this is because I looked back in my case through the years and realized that I could barrel through difficult situations with ease and keep perfect control of my life and then when there are fewer problems in my life I tend to ease into this illness again. It just seems to surface from time to time.
Medication - I feel that medication should be taken if it is absolutely neccessary so you will be able to function. I have fought this idea for many years and ironically people, like myself, who should be medicated don't want to be and others that are simply having a down day are taking medications. The reason why I didn't want to take medication is because of the stigma behind mental illness. Remember, if you have depression you are not weak you just have an illness.   Also, I feel that sometimes you have to ride it out and hope that it goes away quickly.  Also, medications have some side effects. I have discussed my situation with my doctor and I am taking medication for a while.
Some of the  Symptoms of Depression Are -Â
1.  Sadness - I woke up one morning and felt as though I was grieving for someone and that someone was the old me.
2. Sleeplessness or getting too much sleep - In my case, I exhaust myself in the day so sleep is my only realease with the hope that I will feel better the next day.
3. Loneliness and a feeling of isolation - I my case I have plenty of wonderful family members but when I'm going through this illness I feel extremely isolated not the assertive person that I usually am.
4. Guilt - I my case I feel an overwhelming feeling of guilt that I am letting my family down even though I still manage to take care of them.  Most family members usually think it's about them and it's not.
5. Feelings of worthlessness - Your self-worth takes a big hit on this one. It doesn't matter what job you have or what you have accomplished in your life, depression will make you feel like you are less of a person that anyone else and this is the illness causing this feeling.
 6. Changes in appetite - In my case if anything good comes out of my depression it would be not wanting to eat. Of what I understand some people eat more.
In closing I just wanted to say for anyone suffering from mental illness I sympathize with you and I certainly know what it's like. If you have to see a doctor to help get you through do what you have to do even if it's determined that medication will help some.  A website that I joined at one point is Daily Strength and it was formed to help people with many different situations. There is a group on depression that will help.