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Thinking Clearly
So, what does Depression look like?
What does depression look like?
Depression affects around 10% of the population over the course of their lives, so, if you stand with a group of 10 of your friends, chances are 1 out of that group will be affected by it.
On the outside, depression can look happy or it can look sad; it can easily be masked. It’s no respecter of persons, it affects both males and females alike. It’s no respecter of class either, both the rich and the poor are affected, and it doesn’t care what job you have, it zaps your life of joy just the same and makes you feel persistently sad and down for weeks and even months at a time.
Stephen Fry described his depression “like having your own personal weather…and like weather, storms come.” In dealing with it, he says, there are “two mistakes…to deny that it’s raining"…and to say, “therefore my life is over. It’s raining and the sun will never come out.”
When the storm of depression rains down on you and the black cloud lingers overhead, remember, that it won’t last forever, “this too shall pass” and you will see the brightness of the sun again. Also remember, that it’s important to accept that it’s here and what you are experiencing is real and it’s not your fault. Sufferers describe how isolated they feel when they are in the midst of it, and that it’s hard to do the things they know can help, and even struggle to formulate a plan to help them get through it.
This is where counselling can help- you don’t have to do it alone! Talking to someone can help you feel that you aren’t alone in this and walk with you through it. They can also help you change your negative thought patterns and beliefs (that typically worsen with depression).
I’ve been a sufferer with “diagnosed” depression now for several years. It comes and goes. When it’s here, the days feel dark and black and I literally can’t get out of bed. Initially, I went to see my doctor who prescribed medication, which did help, but it didn’t get rid of the depression altogether. What really helped me also, was being able to go talk to someone who could understand how I was feeling and didn’t judge me. That was really important- to not feel judged as I already felt like a failure anyway for having the depression. Being able to speak with my counsellor honestly and be able to reveal how I was truly feeling was liberating. Once I had done this, she helped me realise how my thoughts and beliefs had become more negative as the time went on and helped me change these - P (Yorkshire)
Male or Female - It’s Good to Talk!
Many people often ask, “how do I deal with anxiety?” Well, there’s not a quick fix answer to this- but, there is help and hope! There are things you can do for yourself, some of which you mayhave tried already, but what has proven extremely effective, is when a combination of self-help is used alongside personal counselling.
