This is Part 2 of my 3 part series about mental health. I hope you saw last weeks post about my own personal story with dealing with depression. I never shared my feelings with people before now because one, I'm not really an emotion type of person. Two, I didn't realize what it was until some time later. And lastly, there is a stigma, especially in the black community about being depressed or other mental issues. People aren't very opened minded about mental health and think that these issues aren't that important and can be just prayed away. As a community, we need to open our eyes and realize that depression is not a weakness or a lack of enthusiasm, it is a deeply rooted condition that can and does destroy lives everyday.
So how do you tell the difference between just being sad about something and depression? Depression is defined as a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. And in doing research, I found that there are 10 common signs that could signify that someone is depressed. They may not have all of these symptoms, but if they suffer from a few of them and they are persistent and on-going, there may be a need to seek out professional help.
1. Having a feeling of hopelessness- When you feel like there is never going to be an end to this sad state of being, or a situation that you may be going through and that nothing is going to get better.
2. Irritability- When any and everything gets on your last nerve, and for no good reason. Everything just puts you in a bad mood.
3. A change in appetite- Some people gain weight from overeating comfort foods, while others loose weight from loss of appetite. However your body reacts to stress is going to show in your weight.
4. Anhedonia- This clinical term just means that things that used to make you happy no longer give you joy. People can loose interest in friends, work, hobbies and sometimes foods and sexual activity when they are depressed.
5. Aches and Pains- Frequent unexplained headaches or aches and pains could be the way that your body is reacting to stress or depression.
6. Changed sleeping patterns- Some people can't sleep while others sleep too much. The Mayo Clinic says that the average amount of sleep an adult needs is 7-8 hours. Any more or less on a consistent basis should be payed real close attention to.
7. Lack of energy- We all get tired, but staying tired all day, everyday is a sure tell sign that something is wrong.
8. Unable to concentrate- When you just can't seem to keep your attention on something and you feel scatterbrained and are also forgetting things all the time.
9. Feelings of worthlessness- While feelings of hopelessness are about a situation, feelings of worthlessness is how you feel about yourself. Having low self-esteem, self hatred or any derogatory feelings about yourself is very damaging.
10. Suicidal Thoughts- I don't need to explain the seriousness of this symptom, but I can also add to this, that symptom- having feelings of hurting yourself or others. This is a very dangerous place to exist and anyone who feels like this should seek help right away.
Again, if you or someone you know has some of these symptoms, they persist for a long period of time and start to interfere with everyday life, please seek out professional help.
For additional information or to seek help: mentalhealthawareness.net or crisiscallcenter.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273- TALK/ (800) 273- 8255
Wishing you Love, Peace and Soul Deep Beauty,
Rhonda
No comments:
Post a Comment