Break Free from Chronic Worry and Depression to Reclaim Your Life
By Lorrie Thompson
Topic: Depression
Have you ever felt so depressed that you just wanted to lay on the couch and brood, not quite knowing what to do about it? Probably almost everyone has had that experience at one time or another, I know I have. I thought I would tell you my story.
During those college age years, I began to date a young man that was just a little older than me, and I was very impressed with him. As time went on, I found myself very much in love – so much so that I decided it was time to introduce him to my extended family as I was expecting an engagement ring at any time. So, at Thanksgiving, I took him to our family gathering at my aunt and uncle’s house. It was a wonderful day and I was so proud to have him at my side. A day or two later we went out on a date and when it was over he walked me up to the door. As I leaned in for a good night kiss, he said, “I’m breaking up with you.” Shocked I responded with, “Why?” “Because,” he said, “you always smell like a tossed green salad.” He turned and left. This began my days of laying on the couch. You see – I always rinsed my long brown hair in vinegar because it made it shine.
Looking back now, I can’t help but smile. The days passed and so did my depression. These are just the normal cycles of life that all of us go through from time to time. I have a good friend that told me once that it’s okay to lay on the couch and wallow in your own self-pity. “Then,” she said, “give yourself a good swift kick in the back side and get up and get on with life.”
There are two kinds of depression, the kind I have described above and one that is much more serious. If you find yourself continuing in this persistent feeling of helplessness for over two weeks, it is time to take a serious look at what is going on. You might be Clinically Depressed. There are many, many symptoms. They can range from sadness and an empty feeling to loss of appetite to not sleeping or sleeping too much. Some people experience several symptoms and others have many more. If you are concerned you are in a deeper depression, it can seriously affect your life and it is time to call you doctor for a diagnosis. The National Institute of Mental Health is also a good place to start. They have a great website that can give you a lot of information. Be sure to check it out here.
Now a word about hope; all depression can be treated! I know everyone of us wants to lead a full and satisfying life. Rather than seeing your situation as hopeless, know for certain it is not. There is something very special about being hopeful and it is up to you to choose that path. Feeling hopeless is a downward journey while embracing hope is a path upward and out of the darkness. It begins, as you know, with just one step at a time. Let me encourage you begin.