Life is full of joy and pain, happiness and sorrow. It is normal to feel sad when a loved one dies, or when you are sick, going through a divorce, or having financial problems. But for some estimated 19 million Americans the sadness does not go away, or keeps coming back. If your “blues” last more than a few weeks or cause you to struggle with daily life, you may be suffering from clinical depression.
Here a few facts about depression:
Depression is more than life’s ups & downs.
Depression is not a sign of personal weakness.
Depression can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, age, creed or income.
I want to put to rest some of the stigma that one faces in our community about depression, that cause many people to suffer in silence needlessly rather than seeking proper treatment.
Here a few myths about depression:
If you suffer from depression you can simply snap out of it.
If you are depression you are simply not spiritually enough.
If you suffer from depression you are “crazy.”
Here a few warning sign that you might be depression:
▪ A persistent sad, anxious or excessive crying
▪ A change in appetite
▪ Weight loss or weight gain
▪ Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders or chronic pain
▪ Irritability, restlessness
▪ Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down”
▪ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism
▪ Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning waking
▪ Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
▪ Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
▪ Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Here a few step you can take if you think you might be suffering from depression:
Consult your physician about getting treatment is the strongest & bravest thing you can do
Talk with your spiritual leader, your pastor or minister because spiritual support is an important part of healing.
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