DEPRESSION
Depression. It seems like such an overplayed topic these days (especially all those Zoloft commercials on tv with that little depressed ball of goo). What's worse these days is when you actually have it. I have struggled with it off and on for years - taking medications, working to change my frame of mind, and seeking advice from The Bible. It seems like no matter what precautions I take, it always has a way of making its way back into my life. Why can't it just be love? or fortune? Why depression?
Although we may hear a lot about depression these days, I think it is an unwritten rule in society that those struggling with depression are to keep it on the down low. "People have their own problems to worry about," or "There just isn't enough time to have to deal with the sick at heart." Still, even, when I get depressed it is hard for me to really talk to someone about it. I know there are friends out there who love me and would gladly talk to me but I think, "Why take away their good mood to burden them with my own faults?" It doesn't quite seem fair to do that to someone.
Empty. Alone. Sad. Those are just a few ways depression makes one feel. I've realized these feelings have a way of changing ones entire world view and pattern of thinking. When the feelings are finally gone, I think to myself "Who was I and where do I begin again?" It's hard to get back to "normal" - even harder to worry about "it" not coming back.
I think one of the reasons I am going to make a good mental health counselor is because I have been in those clients shoes. I may not have been exactly where they are but I know what it's like to feel like you're losing it. I don't care what my profession's code of ethics says about contact - if my clients need a shoulder to cry on then they can certainly have mine. Indeed, I have made some of my best friends in life by simply allowing them to cry on my shoulder (and vice versa). The power of learning that just one person out there cares really makes all the difference in the world; but you can't expect them to know something's bothering you either. Not everyone can tell when you are down. You just have to seek reassurance from them and remind yourself from time to time that they do care and that there's a reason to care about your ownself as well.
In conclusion, if you are reading this and you are easily depressed, don't hold it all in (it never really helps much, in my opinion). Instead, seek out someone who you know will care and who is willing to listen and, as the R.E.M. song Everybody Hurts states, "take comfort in your friends" - listen to their love. This is the best medicine of all!
- Holly
Although we may hear a lot about depression these days, I think it is an unwritten rule in society that those struggling with depression are to keep it on the down low. "People have their own problems to worry about," or "There just isn't enough time to have to deal with the sick at heart." Still, even, when I get depressed it is hard for me to really talk to someone about it. I know there are friends out there who love me and would gladly talk to me but I think, "Why take away their good mood to burden them with my own faults?" It doesn't quite seem fair to do that to someone.
Empty. Alone. Sad. Those are just a few ways depression makes one feel. I've realized these feelings have a way of changing ones entire world view and pattern of thinking. When the feelings are finally gone, I think to myself "Who was I and where do I begin again?" It's hard to get back to "normal" - even harder to worry about "it" not coming back.
I think one of the reasons I am going to make a good mental health counselor is because I have been in those clients shoes. I may not have been exactly where they are but I know what it's like to feel like you're losing it. I don't care what my profession's code of ethics says about contact - if my clients need a shoulder to cry on then they can certainly have mine. Indeed, I have made some of my best friends in life by simply allowing them to cry on my shoulder (and vice versa). The power of learning that just one person out there cares really makes all the difference in the world; but you can't expect them to know something's bothering you either. Not everyone can tell when you are down. You just have to seek reassurance from them and remind yourself from time to time that they do care and that there's a reason to care about your ownself as well.
In conclusion, if you are reading this and you are easily depressed, don't hold it all in (it never really helps much, in my opinion). Instead, seek out someone who you know will care and who is willing to listen and, as the R.E.M. song Everybody Hurts states, "take comfort in your friends" - listen to their love. This is the best medicine of all!
- Holly
posted by Holly at 10:24 AM
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