GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK

Do you feel lethargic, anxious, sad, angry, and moody or do you feel like a failure, unloved, worthless and as tough life has no meaning for you anymore?

 

Do all these thoughts or some of these thoughts go through your mind from time to time or all the time?

 

Chances are you may be depressed. If depression goes unchecked it may lead to several problems like being overweight, developing other diseases related to the heart and digestive system, may even lead to hormonal imbalances and create stress levels to elevate to such a high level that they can lead to drastic steps like suicide.

 

This morning’s paper seemed to be devoted to suicide. The latest celebrity to be taken into its clutches Jiah Khan, such a young life, so much potential. There were other reports of suicide in todays paper of two teenage girls taking their lives. Of course the newspapers tend to report news based on what's trending and todays big subject is SUICIDE.

 

I feel compelled to discuss this subject. I have been meeting several people over the last week who are going through depression. Its scary, and its about time we wake up and look around us. You will find at least one person who is affected by it in your immediate circle of family and friends. Vow to help them in whatever way you can. To understand depressive behaviour a little better one of the definitions I came across which I thought conveyed the right impression is below.

 

Depression: definition

Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness and poor concentration.

It can be long lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing a person’s ability to function at work or school, or cope with daily life. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide.

When found to be mild, depression can be treated without medicines but, when moderate or severe, people may need medication and professional talking treatments.

 

Anyone can be affected!

In a childs life puberty is responsible for setting off Early depression, the hormonal imbalances, feelings of insecurity, social pressures of trying to fit in etc

In a womans life Puberty, Maternity and Menopause are the times most women fall prey to depression. Some don’t experience any turbulence but most women experience some amount of disturbance in varying degrees.

Men are most affected in puberty and when they go through stresses of finding their space in the world, competition, performance anxiety and repressed feelings result in depressive behaviour with men

 

What should we do, and how can we help?

1)    Look around you, and be aware of others feelings.

2)     If you sense loneliness in a friend or relative, make time to spend with them.

3)    Make an effort with people. Get out of your own comfort zones, learn to include more people in your social circle, open your mind to meeting and socialising with people. Don’t shun someone, even if you may not think alike or you think someone is not in your league, don’t shun them, it always feels good to be included.

4)    Tell your loved ones and friends you are proud of them, especially the underachievers or those who keep trying and failing to make a mark.

5)    Never flaunt your successes, be humble and sensitive to others who may not be as successful. Success is some ability and lots of opportunity. Others may not have been blessed to have the opportunity to succeed that doesn't mean they don't have the capability.

6)    Share your feelings with your loved ones and get them to open up and share their feelings too. Strengthen and deepen your close relationships.

7)    Be approachable, you never know when a friend or family member may need you

 

If you sense you are depressed, reach out for help and save yourself. Never be alone in a depressed state. Make sure you have someone to care for you when you are feeling low. Make yourself happy, watch lots of funny movies, start socializing more, try and find fun activities to keep busy.

Friends, send up a prayer for the souls of those who have taken their lives, pray that their families find the strength to go on, and give thanks for all you have been blessed with.

 

Keep your eyes open!

 

Love yourself and love others too :)