I remembered three years ago, I was sitting in the living room couch crying my eyes out, with the volume of the TV turned high so I won’t wake my now ex-husband who laid sound asleep upstairs. I remember night after night, and whenever I was alone with enough time to reflect on my life, I would sit and cry.
I didn’t know I was in a deep depression at the time. I should’ve been happy, according to everyone else. Loss and constant change can be challenging to deal with in any capacity, whether that is a loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, etc.
If you want true happiness, abundance, prosperity, and peace, know that it starts and ends with you. The key is not to ignore your issues or suppress them. This is not an opportunity for you to put more pressure on yourself while you read this.
You can create an opportunity for you to take control of your life and do what is necessary for you to live a healthy and loving life because you deserve that and much more. We don’t always realize we are in a deep depression until it is too late. I want to make you more self-aware and start taking steps to change for the better.
Here are five signs you need to seek support when faced with depression:
1. Thoughts of suicide or disappearing.
I’ve been here plenty of times myself in the past. When your thoughts get this far this is a clear indication that you need to seek professional help. Don’t hesitate to get help. You are getting help so you can heal yourself. Below are links to two great resources that will help you get the support you need to get started.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1–800–273–8255.
Find a therapist in your neighborhood.
2. Not taking care of yourself: physically, emotionally, or mentally.
It is common to get stuck in the negative self-talk and ignore all the things you use to do for yourself. It is, first and foremost, your responsibility to care and love for yourself. When we are in a depressive state, we tend to depend on others for our care. When those people don’t meet our expectations or let us down, we become more in a funk than we were before, whether this is a spouse, child, boss, friend, or family member.
It is critical to not look for validation outside of yourself. It is vital to take things one day at a time. If you only shower, brush your teeth and eat breakfast, then you are committing to your morning.
3. Suppressing your emotions by escaping your problems through food, sex, drugs, alcohol, partying, tv, drama, etc.
It is not hard nowadays to access to drugs, alcohol, or party your life away if you so choose. However, this is just a coping mechanism that will not make your problems disappear. I’ve learned that health is all about moderation. Know your limits and remain aware of yourself.
Research shows that someone who is depressed is more likely to find a coping mechanism to avoid their problems. Please let me say that avoiding your problems is only a temporary fix.
4. Crying randomly or for several days at a time.
Depression can take a toll on your emotional and physical state. Journal how you are feeling at every moment. This will help you when referring back to those moments when speaking to a professional and more importantly, journaling will help you release those emotions you are having at that very moment. Releasing is extremely important to you right now. Don’t hold all that anger or sadness.
5. Spend a lot of time alone and sleep.
When you are sleeping longer than 12 hours a day, than I recommend you seek a professional. Personally, sleeping allowed me to be a state of mind where I can avoid my problems.
To drift off in another state was a great way to escape my problems temporarily. Your emotional state doesn’t just go away because you have slept your day away. You might wake up still groggy and feel tired. Instead of refreshed and energized.
If you can’t sleep, which some people might find it difficult to sleep because there is so much on their mind, I recommend listening to white noise, soft music, and having a diffuser with lavender essential oils going in your room. It works tremendously for me.
Resources and more information on depression:
8 Signs You Should See A Therapist
Signs of Depression in Children [Infographic]
How to Help Someone with Depression
Just know that it is not the end of your world because you are depressed. Your days won’t stay dark and gloomy. The sun will shine again. I recommend you take control of your life and seek the help you need for the sun to shine sooner than later.
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