High profile suicide prevention campaigner Phil McTaggart on the battle with depression and how help is there if you take that first step.
How I would describe Depression, it's like struggling Through wet concrete (If you have ever been stuck in wet mud trying to get out you'll know what I mean)
What I found strange about depression was I didn't know I was suffering from this invisible Illness it's not like breaking a leg or an arm, you automatically know you need to get to the hospital and even then the nurses know exactly what to do. With depression it takes someone to tell you.
Depression affects how you feel, behave and think. And can lead to emotional and physical problems. Many find it hard to go about their day to day activities and for some they may feel like life is not worth living.
The sad fact in all this is that a significant number of people with a depressive illness never seek help or talk to anyone about how they feel. There is still a stigma attached to mental health, people may feel they will be seen as weak especially men and even when some pluck up the courage to tell someone they maybe told to "pull yourself together" or "man up" the truth is when you're feeling this way it can be difficult, comments like this are very unhelpful. This is very unfortunate, because the vast majority, even with very severe symptoms, can improve with the right help and treatment people can recover from the worst of their depression.
If you choose to do nothing about your depression life will continue to feel dark and grey and it will become more difficult to smile and laugh, life will just become one big struggle. Not only will this Illness continue to trouble you it will upset family and friends, any children you may have could be affected more than you realise by your depression, both now and in later years, simply because they are unlikely to understand this illness and how it effects you.
Don't be bottling things up, take the first step "talk to someone" your GP, family member or friend and remember it's not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength You will always feel better afterwards.
If a family member is suffering from depression and is receiving help and support sometimes we have a tendency to concentrate on the person getting that help. Please, do not forget about yourself and other members of your family everyone could do with offloading the stresses and pressures of what must be a very difficult time. Not everyone needs to see a counsellor just talking to someone you trust can make a big difference in your life and help you feel better.
Symptoms
If persistent sadness or feeling of low mood occurs and you notice you or someone you know has loss of interest or pleasure in activities that you or they normally enjoyed if these feeling continue for more than two weeks you need to seek help. Taken this first step can start you on the road to recovery.
common symptoms for depression are
Disturbed sleep.
Waking early and being unable to get back to sleep, however, sometimes it maybe sleeping too much.
Wanting to hide away from people
Stress and frustration
Change of appetite. Poor appetite, weight loss, sometimes the reverse happens with comfort eating and weight gain.
Tiredness.
Loss of energy
Poor concentration and finding it difficult to read. Work and even simple tasks can seem difficult.
There can be feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Thoughts such as " life's not worth living" or "I don't care what happens to me" sometimes these thoughts may turn into you asking yourself what's the point of living. thoughts of suicides.
However, help is at hand and you should never feel like you are on your own. It helps to talk to someone you trust. Talking is the first step on the road to recovery and you will start to feel better.
You don't have to suffer in silence you can start to smile again. Take action now and talk to someone and get on that road to a better life.
For help, guidance and support call the 24/7 helpline number free from landline and mobiles
0 808 808 8000 and talk to a counsellor.
Or call into one of the many community organisations in your area
A problem shared is a problem halved
Phil McTaggart
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