I was diagnosed with Major Depression in 2007. Sometimes I have to wonder, however, whether my negligence to move from my office seat, which I’m seated in during most of my waking hours, is due to laziness. But the spiritual part of me believes that God allows me to be depressed so as to focus on Him more clearly. I live in silence and solitude, trying to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I rarely get any exercise, which some people believe is due to laziness.
Sounds difficult.
If you even THINK this MIGHT be depression, it might be prudent to check it out, to either confirm or rule it out, one way or the other, to at least know where you stand.
I hope you are in treatment with a counselor, getting medication as needed. Sometimes, exercise is good to also help one snap out of a depression, to get out of the house, do some form of exercise, be it dance, sports, whatever. At times, exercising in group can also be helpful.
If one can just even go for a walk, that can be helpful, therapeutic.
I use a wheelchair, and my boyfriend does, as well. He is a firm believer in exercise. Sunday, he is going to compete in the local annual 10 K wheelchair marathon. He does wheelchair dancing and has done paralympics in swimming.
He wants to learn t’ai chi.
He is encouraging me to exercise, as well, even if (with the arthritis), it’s only a gentle movement, like a waltz…or when it warms up a bit more…swimming.
I think that’d be good for me. When one exercises, it can help lift one out of a depression, help one in so many ways, physically, mentally, emotionally. We need a balance. I think it’d be easier for me to do in a group, to get the momentum to do this.
We have free, weekly zumba, that the government puts on.
Also, it’s important to have a social life of some kind or other.
Keep learning…SOMETHING!
Volunteering can be good to give one a sense of purpose.
I don´t think God wants, or needs, us to be depressed. I believe love and joy often go hand-in-hand.
When I am depressed, I tend to withdraw from people, one thing. Also, I typically dress differently, in depressing colors, may not bother with jewelry, makeup, etc. In fact, my boyfriend can tell by looking at what I’m wearing, what mood I’m going to be in!
People also treat me differently when I dress in happy colors, with jewelry, makeup, than in sad colors without. It’s night and day.
This is my take on depression…to get treatment…number one. Number two…to take care of oneself…take a hot bath, light a candle, use lotion, get any, and all, medical needs tended to, including routine checkups.
Call up a friend…invite him/her over, or go out, even if it’s just for a cup of hot chocolate.
How is your sleep? Depression can cause insomnia, and insomnia, depression. If you have insomnia, get that tended to even if it means seeing a doctor.
Depression is nothing to play around with. People have committed suicide over it and more. From another perspective, it’s also hard for others to be around someone who is depressed. They will probably withdraw…as will you, creating a kind of vicious circle.
Break out! Get to the bottom of this! Is it depression? You need to know. If it is, can you figure out the cause?
For years, I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem…then later…menopause…a bunch of things. Depression also runs in my family, can be hereditary. Some people have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The lack of light can make some folks depressed, and when the sun comes back out, they’re fine.
Men can have andropause. There is depression that is caused by circumstances…or…past events. Sometimes, depression accompanies some other condition.
For instance, my ex-husband was depressed, but it seemed to be a symptom of his obsessive compulsive disorder. So, this is why it’s important to get professional help, and you are NOT the only one who has ever struggled with depression. I have, and if you took a poll, on CAF, probably a lot of people have…whether they would admit to it, or not.
There IS help! When one is depressed, it can be hard to feel…happiness…love. I personally don´t think God wants that. Look at how children and animals come into the world, so overflowing with joy! So no, I don´t believe, for one second, that God wants you to be depressed.
