Finding Answers For My Depression
Depression can be an extremely serious matter and if you think you may be suffering from it, the first thing you should do is to make an appointment with your doctor and seek medical help. Following is a list of some of the depression symptoms that may help you determine what you are experiencing:
- You may feel tired all the time yet have difficulty sleeping.
- You have lost interest in all the things you normally enjoy doing.
- You find you want to eat all the time – or you have no appetite.
- You feel uneasy and on edge.
- You can’t shake your sad feelings and don’t know how to change them.
- You have thoughts of suicide.
- You have physical pain like severe headaches or joint pain.
There are many different types of depression from Major and Chronic to symptoms brought on by the seasons (SAD) or even Postpartum Depression that comes after giving birth. There is also Bipolar, Psychotic and Atypical. – A qualified physician must diagnose all of these.
If you believe you have signs of depression and need to speak with someone right away here are two phone numbers you can call: For Support, 800-826-3632 – For Suicide Prevention, 630-482-9696.
Feeling down over different life experiences affects everyone; this is part of being human. Sometimes feeling sad, lonely and flat out miserable is a normal reaction to the loss of a loved one. Or, you may become very discouraged over a defeat of some kind. However, in time, it is human nature to bounce back and put it all behind you. Just remember, if these feelings continue and you become overwhelmed by them, it is time to see help. Left untreated they may get worse.
Feeling Blue?
Many times in life we find ourselves unhappy and don’t know exactly what to do to turn that around. Sometimes just living alone can bring on these blue feelings. Maybe things just aren’t going along like you would like for them to and you have become discouraged. Why, as the familiar expression states, do we keep doing the same things and expect different results? If you find yourself feeling down and unhappy much of the time, it’s time to make some changes.
Nothing can break the blues quite as quickly as spending time with friends and sharing a few laughs. In fact, in 1964, Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a severe and incurable disease. You can read all about it in his book, Anatomy of an Illness. But the main take away is his famous statement, “Laughter is the best medicine.” You will find how working with his doctors and using humor brought about his healing. The point here is that laughter can do wonders for the blues. If you look at Amazon under that statement, you will find many books written about this subject.
When you find yourself always down in the dumps, you can turn it around if you have friends to be with and yes, to laugh with. If you have to start from the beginning just to find these friends, there is no better place to find them than at church. Walk in, approach someone (the leadership would be good) and let him or her know you want to make a connection. You will be directed to someone to talk to. The foundation for churchgoers is love. The Bible tells believers to love one another, to serve one another, to bear one another’s burdens and the list goes on. Jesus is the epitome of love and his followers are to emulate him. If you can get plugged into a group of Christians, you will find relationships, but most important, you will find the path to everlasting joy.
If you would like suggestions, contact us at office@joyofhope.org We would be happy to help. There is always hope that leads to joy.