A sudden defense mechanism that takes one by storm, a silent killer that if goes undiagnosed, may lead to ultimate sacrifices, and suicide.
I awake with a strange feeling captivating my body, it's limp, and I'm feeling so restless. I want to get up, but the feeling becomes so intense, that I buried myself under the covers in hopes it will go away...it doesn't. I know I have to ignore this feeling, because I have to go to work soon, I have to get dress, that has become a slow task lately, and the thought of the impending travel to work will no doubt add additional stress. I hated it, I hated this feeling, please make it go away? It's nothing new, I have been feeling this way for some time, but never gave notice to the why. The feeling of being more tired than usual, my energy level have plunged into an invisible molecule floating into space. Just yesterday. I cried for no reason, and I didn't know why. Could it have been because I stopped playing tennis or having conversations with my friend, Jan? My contact with my friends have become distance to almost nil. I guess, I should have recognized this feeling, I've heard about it, heard a few friends that blamed their behavior of it, and talked about; but this just couldn't be what I was going through?
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As I guided my thoughts in my mind to move, and demanded myself to get out of the bed, it was more than I had bargained for, the more I moved the slower I felt. My feet planted the floor, finally, and I hung my body over as I held my hands on the sides of my face, Oh Lord, I said, I just don't feel good, please make this feeling go away.
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Sounds familiar, sounds like something you have said? Well it may be you, who have been experiencing these types of feelings, and couldn't figure it out, it's called "DEPRESSION". Depression is a serious medical illness; it’s not something that you have made up in your head. It’s more than just feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. It’s feeling "down" and "low" and "hopeless" for weeks at a time (NIMH). It varies in degrees from mild to severe, the symptoms are as follows...
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed (NIMH).
Don't be discouraged, on an average most people will experience depression in their lifetime, the good news is there is treatment.
The National Institute of Medicine says,
The first step to getting appropriate treatment for depression is a physical examination by a physician. Certain medications as well as some medical conditions such as a viral infection can cause the same symptoms as depression, and the physician should rule out these possibilities through examination, interview, and lab tests. If a physical cause for the depression is ruled out, a psychological evaluation should be done, by the physician or by referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
A good diagnostic evaluation will include a complete history of symptoms, i.e., when they started, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, whether the patient had them before and, if so, whether the symptoms were treated and what treatment was given. The doctor should ask about alcohol and drug use, and if the patient has thoughts about death or suicide. Further, a history should include questions about whether other family members have had a depressive illness and, if treated, what treatments they may have received and which were effective.
Last, a diagnostic evaluation should include a mental status examination to determine if speech or thought patterns or memory have been affected, as sometimes happens in the case of a depressive or manic-depressive illness.
Treatment choice will depend on the outcome of the evaluation. There are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders. Some people with milder forms may do well with psychotherapy alone. People with moderate to severe depression most often benefit from antidepressants. Most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems, including depression. Depending on the patients diagnosis and severity of symptoms, the therapist may prescribe medication and/or one of the several forms of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression (NIMH).
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In closing finding a support group or local church can help. Don't let depression control your life, learn how to control it, take care of yourself because these feelings do, and can go away.
Compliments and Thanks to:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIH).
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Blessings,
Joyce Bowling