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Event/article #93 of org #145
Navigating in the Darkness of Depression - and Finding Light Sponsor
You are not alone. Others have been there - and recovered.
Barbara Rose, MSW, LCSW
Event summary:
Depression is far more than sadness. It is a complex patterns of physical, mental, emotional, and social disruptions. This article offers suggestions for knowing when to seek help. —2008-04-17
See all of Barbara R Rose, MSW, LCSW’s News & articles.
Event location: Barbara Rose, 720 N. Main Street, Suite 335, Pueblo, CO 81003
Full details:
Breaking Free from the Darkness We Call “Depression”
—by Barbara Rose, LCSW
Being chronically depressed is a lot like wearing a wet blanket over your head — there’s heaviness and constant fatigue from putting up with it — and that blanket clouds your vision with shades of black and grey. This greying of your perception can take over the mind and seem to be reality. Often you need to get some outside help even to realize that your vision of reality has become distorted.
Here are some signs that you might need some help with that blanket of depression:
___ You hardly want to look at the world, so you live in your own world and sometimes lose track of time, missing appointments or not showing up for usual activities.
___ You may give up on taking care of yourself and your everyday chores as being too much trouble.
___ It feels better just to sleep, because continuing to try seems like such a burden.
___ You lose interest in being with other people.
___ You may feel you’re only pretending to be alive - and that seem like too much trouble.
___ Your body hurts: it sends out pain signals that take all the pleasure out of moving around, so you may get hung up on your physical ailments,
___ Your eating becomes unreasonable: either appetite disappears.
___ You can get really irritable, or wear out the friends you do talk to because of your complaining, and because their well-intentioned support doesn’t seem like enough.
___ You can get stuck in pessimistic patterns of thinking which help to keep you depressed.
If you recognize some of the above patterns in yourself, it’s time to get professional assistance. Some friends or family may tell you to “snap out of it,” but depression doesn’ work that way: it is a complex, difficult cycle to break free from.
DECLINE the door of despair:
The worst thing of all about depression is that in looking for a way out from under the pain, there's that door labeled 'death' that begins to look like the answer. If you find yourself asking whether life is worth living, PLEASE: see some assistance.
CHOOSE a brighter door:
Talk to a professional counselor who knows how to open doors and windows, and can lead you toward genuine pathways out of this dark. If everything begins to seem dark and unbearable and you have no where to turn immediately, remember that there is immediate help available 24/7: 1-800-544-1133 or www.suicide.org
BE OPEN to still another door:
Understand that during depression the chemistry of your brain has changed, and that modern medications can support your brain chemistry and free you from the heaviness and from relentless pain. Be open and patient with a doctor as s/he seeks to find the right medication that can make a difference for you — if your doctors thinks that medication may be helpful for you, realize that it will take time for your body to adjust to any new medication. Keep your doctor informed about how you are doing. If you get impatient or have questions or concerns — ask him/her.
Some people respond best with a double dose of help — counseling and medication. Please take advantage of all the resources needed to return to a brighter life.
Remember that life used to be brighter, and pick out a piece that you feel you can copy, sort of like priming a pump until life comes through.
Reach out just enough to grab onto hope, for that is the stuff of living. There ARE people who want to help you.
—Barbara Rose, LCSW, (719) 564-8013
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