How I Found Hope Living with Depression

 

It has been almost two years since I contemplated dying by suicide. It was a dark time. A time that I do not want to go back to. There are days when I can't believe it ever happened. How did I become so hopeless that I thought death was the only answer?

Regardless of how I got to the dark time, I want to reflect on how far I have come today. This is not to say that life has been all rainbows and butterflies—it hasn't been. Life happens. However, when life happens, I am much better prepared for the rough road ahead than I was two years ago.

Is It Just Me?

I'm tired of being everyone's counselor.

I'm tired of being everyone's lover.

I'm tired of being everyone's confidant.

How Does an Introvert Deal with Depression?

My blog on HealthyPlace: Introverts Guide to Coping with Depression

Being introverted means I am the type of person who re-energizes through solitude. Some may think this is weird or a bad thing. It's not. It is just how my brain works - I would much rather hang out with my kids, pup, or a couple close friends than be with a group of people or at a large gathering. Now as I have gotten older, I have become more adaptable to being in large groups and having to hold conversations with others (although I still suck at small talk). However, when I'm done socializing, I'm exhausted! I then need some quiet time or a nap to be functional again. 

Coping with Depression

Check out my blog posts about coping with depression on healthyplace.com

Today, there is still a stigma about depression: "Why can't people just snap out of it?" If it were only that easy! Being diagnosed with a depressive disorder is more than just feeling sad sometimes. First, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood – not situational sadness or feeling low. Sometimes, it can be triggered, and sometimes, it can be out of the blue. Regardless of how it comes about, MDD affects sleep, appetite, energy, ability to focus, and interest in usually enjoyable things (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Coping with MDD is multi-faceted. There is not just one solution or magic pill that improves or cures mental health – it is a mixture of things that help people (and me) cope.

Addicted to the Jazz

When you mention 'change,' most people become anxious, break out in a cold sweat, and dread what comes next. However, there are a few of us who are...Addicted to the Jazz. 

I first heard this phrase from my counselor from eons ago, and I will never forget it.

First of all, my Sun sign is Sagittarius. If you're unfamiliar with zodiac signs, Sagittariuses are unafraid of change and actually embrace it. We also like to explore the unknown and learn all we can about new things. We're independent and don't back down to a challenge. In other words, we are always searching for the next thing; thus, I am ADDICTED to the JAZZ. But let me explain further...

Don't Spend Another Year Doing the Same Shit

As I sit here on New Year's Eve watching football, listening to people already setting off fireworks, and reflecting back on 2023, I remember seeing the quote, "Don't spend another year doing the same shit." Sadly, I forget where I saw it, but it resonated because it is so true! It reminds me of the much-used saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results." 

Is There Still a Stigma with Mental Health?

The simple answer to this question is: unfortunately, yes. Even in the days of increased awareness due to post-COVID and an increased suicide rate, there is still a stigma against those with mental health disorders – especially in particular communities and occupations.

I watched PBS News Hour the other day, and they had a story about commercial airline pilots and the increased concerns about overtime and declining mental health. The story also mentioned that pilots are not allowed to seek mental health counseling, much less disclose that they are living with depression or anxiety with fear of being let go. It is insanity to me that there are still major occupations that would fire someone based on them wanting to get help! So, instead, the airlines would rather have pilots who are stressed, depressed, and anxious with no coping skills and/or medication to help them stay well. Think about it next time you board a plane... that pilot has probably been overworked and has no way of coping! Does anyone want to go flying??