Breaking the Circle of Depression After Traumatic Events
Mary Okoro was a 28year old, young mother of two lovely children. She had a promising career and had a whole bright future ahead for her. However, her world came crashing down when her husband was killed in a fatal automobile accident. Not long after, she came into a heavy debt and was subsequently evicted from her accommodation. Her children were unable to continue schooling due to unpaid fees.
She was rushed to the emergency room by her neighbours who informed the attending physician that she had taken an overdose of pain medications. She obviously wanted to commit suicide. She was severely depressed.
Depression is an overwhelming feeling of unhappiness, hopelessness and worthlessness for a prolonged period of time. People who are depressed no longer take pleasure in their usual activities. They also suffer eating and sleeping problems. Is there hope for the depressed individual?
This article seeks to mention some practical ways to handle depression.
1. Engage yourself in an endeavour
When you are in a state of depression, you usually lack enthusiasm and energy to do your usual activities that give you pleasure. However, in overcoming depression, you need to make a conscious decision to counter your feelings of worthlessness.
It may just be as simple as getting out of your home to the fitness centre for some exercises, going with friends to watch a live football game, participating in a community cleaning exercise, volunteering for an NGO etc. When you engage in such activities regularly, you give yourself reasons to be happy. Keeping yourself occupied with such can help you overcome depression.
2. Keep your social environment active
If you are depressed, isolating yourself from others might do you more harm than good. Your support system which involves your friends and family is very crucial especially when in a state of depression. Don’t grieve for long. Determine not to remain in a state of self pity. Talk to a friend or a close family member about your fears and concerns. Realize that they care and will be there for you.
Having a good social interaction can have a positive effect on your mood. If it is available where you live, join a support group of people with similar challenges. Listening to others talk about how they are coping with depression could help you have the will power to overcome yours.
3. Begin planning on goals that motivate you
Having gone through a traumatic experience, there is a need to begin to inspire yourself with fresh goals and ambitions. When you have nothing to look forward to, you slip further into the abyss of depression. Have times to meditate and write down all you want to achieve in the years ahead. Talk to a mentor who can help you fashion out a new path to health and productivity.
4. Consult a therapist
Sometimes, the severity of one’s depressive illness could be such that the individual is unable to help oneself. This is especially important when such individual begins to have hallucinations or suicidal ideations. This is the time for such an individual to see a therapist. These professionals are trained to help the individual ease out of the state of depression either through the use of psychotherapy techniques or use of drugs to treat the depressive state.
Recovery from depression is a process that may take time, but as long as you are committed to goal of evolving to a happier person, you can overcome depression in due time.
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