June 29, 2007

Dealing with Depression

The past few days has been a very difficult time for me. I don't know if you can relate to the feeling like you're just standing on an abyss and with just one step you'll fall right over the edge... And i can't even sleep properly anymore or eat. When i do sleep, its only in a fitful doze and i will wake up in the middle of the night, just wishing the sun would come up soon and free me from the darkness... when i eat, a few tablespoons that after a eating i only feel like throwing up... Sometimes, i feel like the weight is just becoming too much but i don't want to sink into depression again... so i began browsing online for some helpful tips/articles that can help... The following paragraphs are lifted from www.allaboutlifechallenges.com. The last paragraph has been especially helpful for me...

Coping With Depression - Medical OptionsCoping with depression is possible and there are many options. Depression can sometimes be caused by a chemical imbalance and medications are often used to correct this imbalance. A physician can prescribe the appropriate medications or refer you to another doctor who is more knowledgeable. There are several antidepressants available and sometimes more than one medication may be suggested. Your physician may prescribe which medication to use based on several factors:
How has depression affected your activity patterns?
Have your eating patterns been affected?
How have your sleep patterns varied since the depression began?
Have your interest patterns changed?



Other components, such as anxiety, will also help determine which, if any, medication to use. Sometimes a trial and error method may be used to find the most effective medication for you which can often result in greater emotional distress.


Coping With Depression - Therapy OptionsThere are also therapy options for coping with depression, such as talking with a qualified counselor who can talk through problems with you, teach coping skills, and provide support systems. I went to a Christian therapist. At times, this was a challenge for me. He would tell me to look to my faith for answers and I wanted to scream. I was looking to my faith, but I was not finding the answers. Or perhaps, I was getting answers, but I wanted different ones! We were able to discuss circumstances and I learned how to cope in various situations. My depressed feelings began to lift and I began to cope with challenges in my life. I began finding strength in my faith.


Coping With Depression - Finding True Self Worth - A big means of coping with depression came through finding my true self worth. I had previously based my self worth on the approval of my friends and on my ability to perform in my job. When I could no longer fulfill my work responsibilities due to injury, I felt worthless. Over time, I began to realize that my true self worth does not come from within me. It comes from God-my Creator. God loves me. Through this tremendous love, I have once again found worth and significance in my life. He is my significance! 1 Thessalonians 2:12 says, "...walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Rhyz, I've read somewhere that depression is almost always self-inflicted and that the best way to deal with it is to simply pick yourself up, stop languishing in self-pity and move on. Easier said than done, right?

When i feel down, what i do first is to acknowledge it. I allow myself to feel sad and depressed. I don't try to resist it anymore 'cause it is futile. I also stop myself from solving a problem when feeling down in the dumps.

Maybe I just let go, and allow Someone to do the solving..hehe.
And sooner than later, I find myself feeling okay again.