Do you know how it feels?

Have you ever felt like you no longer familiar with your own self? When it seems like you are totally uncertain of who you are every moment. Like, you’re lost in the middle of your journey. That’s how it feels like when you know what I’m talking about.  

I was once also someone who tried to win against my own weaknesses, but at times, it seems typical for me to forgot my capability in solving my own misery. This is something that completely affects the holistic aspect of ourselves; thus, disabling our ability to think, feel and act in a proper manner.  A depressed person tends to have a hard time in social activities and interactions with others in workplace or school and etc.. Lose of self-concept and drive for success. A total shift and alteration of how they view and perceive things. You may not completely understand how does it feel; the agony that someone has inside unless you actually experience it. 

                                                         

Try to observe yourself

This may require a deep introspection of oneself; comparing how you were before vs. how you are now to distinguish changes within own self and be aware of where you stand at the moment. You may ask others if you're willing to be open for constructive criticisms. According to health professionals, the indications are most likely: 

Too much sadness and emptiness 

A feeling for an extended period of time, mostly, can’t even distinguish why he/she feels that way. An unexplainable sadness exists in their inner self and there’s a void that they don’t really know what can fill it.

Despair or hopelessness

The state of not having a clear goal and fixed direction to where someone wants his/her life to take on. The drive to go on has vanished. Anxiety and restlessness usually a result of fear to the point that there would probably be an increase of tenseness that makes it harder to relax. It could be from: fear of what the future would be, fear of doing decisions, and even fear to people. This could be both physical and mental.

Trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

These are the result of a confusion that makes an individual feel uncertain about everything that he/she is doing. 

Increased fatigue

Without even doing an excessive work or activity, this makes the person feel burnout as all the energy is exhausted.

Feelings of worthlessness and helplessness accompanied by guilt

Often caused by blaming himself/herself for their failures in the past, and always lingering to the thoughts of what could’ve been and the what ifs. 

Sleeping problems

These are insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too much. Depressed people are most likely disturbed because of the repetitive thoughts running inside their minds affecting their emotions.

Irritability

 Without even a significant cause to be irritated. Even over small things, they easily become frustrated or angered. This makes it harder for them to manage their emotions.

Withdrawal

In most cases, teenagers say that they constantly feel misinterpreted and hurt, especially those who don't have the tolerance for offensive comments and even jokes. They uncommonly become unresponsive and tend to isolate themselves and avoid people.

Overeating or appetite loss

Depending on the response of an individual to depression some opted to turn to food as it makes them feel better and in due course gain weight because of unhealthy eating. Others unconventionally lose interest in food and eat very little.

Digestive problems 

This doesn't get better even with treatment because of the chemical changes in the body and the imbalance of hormones resulted in depression. Other physical manifestations are body pains, headaches, and cramps that won't go away as the body becomes weaker and weaker due to loss of interest in doing anything; thus, have an unhealthy lifestyle.

Apathy or lethargy

This is the state when a person loses interest in everything that he/she used to love and enjoy before, even sex. Literally, the excitement for those things has gone, unlike the old times.

Crying spells 

This occurs whenever the emotion is triggered and become overly sensitive, or when there’s a reason that made him/her flashback all the painful memories from the past, making the tear pour time and time again.

Suicidal thoughts or attempts

They eventually see it as a solution to end their excruciating pain, and as a way to escape everything and leave all behind. This indicates that a person has a major depression and is never really normal at all.

Why did it feel that way?

It is because of different factors that vary in every individual such as holding on to the past and never opening our eyes to what is the truth of every tragic event that had happened in the past and still chooses to not accept it and to never supply the lack of will to move on. Some feel unloved, rejected, deserted and all other emotion linked to it. Others are resulting from overthinking of their problems in life, be it major or minor obstacles; they cannot handle the weight of the burdens they have.

Most common aspects affected by depression 

• Confidence and Self-esteem 
• Health and Stress management 
• Self-understanding and Expression of Feelings
• Ambition/Goals 
• Passion and Motivation
• Communication
• Balance
• Personal Strengths and Empowerment
• Optimism/Positivity/Happiness
• Organization and Efficiency
• Family and Relationship
• Faith/Character/Attitude/Values

Now you have an idea how it disintegrates a person from his/her awesome self and makes him/her fall into broken pieces. My next blog will cover the said topic and will be elaborated each affected areas, and how important are those in building our ourselves and identity. 

Possible treatments may be applied and utilized

Taking medications

Such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. The need to consult to a physician and mental health professional is crucial for some drugs may affect prevailing conditions such as sleep problem, and etc., the doctor must assess first the depression that the patient has before giving prescriptions. 

Participating in Psychotherapy

This is the form of treatment for a mental problem by psychological approach rather than medical means.

Self Motivation

No matter how hard the situation is you have to motivate your own self. If there's nobody to motivate you, why not give it to yourself?  Don't wait for others to give you motivation, because the reality is they are also busy chasing their own lives. Talking to yourself is a good habit according to a research making people highly proficient in the process (Albert Einstein is one of those).

Strengthen Your Faith

If you believe in a greater force and omnipotent power over us that will definitely help you. Your beliefs will guide you to decide what to do in times of extreme pain. You will certainly hesitate to commit suicide as it is forbidden as long as you know that it is unacceptable. Prayers do wonders.

Give love 

Despite our differences, be sensitive because not everyone can accept others opinions owing to the difference in views and principles they learned, acquired and instilled in them. Think first before you open your mouth for words are powerful that those may either build or ruin someone's life. Have time to listen, this will prevent your loved ones from being depressed. Show your act of love in simple gestures, that'll greatly help.

Physical activities to divert attention

• deep-breathing exercises  
• massage and stretching
• tai chi (a slow-moving type of martial arts) 
• yoga and exercise

                    

                                                           Love is what the world needs. Let's give it.