When I was very ill with PTSD I had thoughts about wanting to die every day for months. I am so glad I didn't. It would have been the stupidest thing I had ever done. I would have devastated my husband and children, and for what? They needed me, I would have hurt them deeply, I wonder if they would ever have stopped mourning.
Whatever you do, don't be that stupid. Depression LIES. It makes you believe that no one cares about you, and that there is no way out.
Don't listen to those lies!!!
Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. All the darkness of my thoughts helped build my depression, but in the end it could be addressed by doing a number of things, some of which I still do today.
Depression can be helped by:
--Medication. It may take a while to find exactly the right drug for you, but don't give up! Keep looking for something that works.
--Therapy. A good psychologist of psychiatrist can help you face the darkness and leave it behind.
--Journaling. Just writing down your thoughts and memories--and facing down the monsters from the past--can help
--Getting rid of anger. Jesus told us to forgive, or we would not be forgiven, Matthew 6:14-15. Forgive the people who hurt you and give the whole situation to God, Ps. 55:22. You will feel as if a great weight is lifted off of you. Also remember, forgiveness is a walk--often it takes months to completely forgive because the human heart is so complex. Choose to forgive every time thoughts of those people intrude. Just say out loud, "I choose to forgive, and I am giving this to God."
--Get rid of harmful behaviors. Alcohol, for example, is a depressant. Excessive drinking will only exacerbate the depression.
--Take every thought captive. Begin by labeling the things you say as positive or negative. Start saying positive things--and suppress the negative words. Do the same with your thoughts. Increase positive thoughts. Suppress negative thoughts--don't allow your mind to even go there!
--Practice positive thinking. For example, walk around and just thank God for every good thing in your life. As you go through the day, look for the positive, lovely things. They may be small, like the beauty of the sun on leaves, or the smile of a child. Look for them, they will be there. When you go to bed at night, thank God for these lovely moments. Think on good things. Philippians 4:8 tells us--think on good things!
--Be physically active several times a day. Brain chemistry changes when you are active. Try to do something, for example, walk, every day for at least 20 minutes. Be active in other ways as well. Walk and pray. Do housework--you'll have a double benefit. Stretch or do Pilates while watching TV. Find ways to get your body moving. Whatever you do, don't just sit.
--Laughter. Again, brain chemistry changes with levity. Find something that makes you laugh. A comic? Your pets? Funny stories?
--Sunshine and/or vitamin D. Seasonal affective disorder appears to be caused by lack of vitamin D. Take a supplement if you aren't out in the sun enough. Of course, talk to your doctor about supplements, as they effect people in different ways.
--Dark chocolate. A small amount of dark chocolate increases endorphins in the brain.
Be blessed! Depression CAN be overcome, but you do have to take an active role in overcoming it. You can win!
__________________
Whatever you do, don't be that stupid. Depression LIES. It makes you believe that no one cares about you, and that there is no way out.
Don't listen to those lies!!!
Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. All the darkness of my thoughts helped build my depression, but in the end it could be addressed by doing a number of things, some of which I still do today.
Depression can be helped by:
--Medication. It may take a while to find exactly the right drug for you, but don't give up! Keep looking for something that works.
--Therapy. A good psychologist of psychiatrist can help you face the darkness and leave it behind.
--Journaling. Just writing down your thoughts and memories--and facing down the monsters from the past--can help
--Getting rid of anger. Jesus told us to forgive, or we would not be forgiven, Matthew 6:14-15. Forgive the people who hurt you and give the whole situation to God, Ps. 55:22. You will feel as if a great weight is lifted off of you. Also remember, forgiveness is a walk--often it takes months to completely forgive because the human heart is so complex. Choose to forgive every time thoughts of those people intrude. Just say out loud, "I choose to forgive, and I am giving this to God."
--Get rid of harmful behaviors. Alcohol, for example, is a depressant. Excessive drinking will only exacerbate the depression.
--Take every thought captive. Begin by labeling the things you say as positive or negative. Start saying positive things--and suppress the negative words. Do the same with your thoughts. Increase positive thoughts. Suppress negative thoughts--don't allow your mind to even go there!
--Practice positive thinking. For example, walk around and just thank God for every good thing in your life. As you go through the day, look for the positive, lovely things. They may be small, like the beauty of the sun on leaves, or the smile of a child. Look for them, they will be there. When you go to bed at night, thank God for these lovely moments. Think on good things. Philippians 4:8 tells us--think on good things!
--Be physically active several times a day. Brain chemistry changes when you are active. Try to do something, for example, walk, every day for at least 20 minutes. Be active in other ways as well. Walk and pray. Do housework--you'll have a double benefit. Stretch or do Pilates while watching TV. Find ways to get your body moving. Whatever you do, don't just sit.
--Laughter. Again, brain chemistry changes with levity. Find something that makes you laugh. A comic? Your pets? Funny stories?
--Sunshine and/or vitamin D. Seasonal affective disorder appears to be caused by lack of vitamin D. Take a supplement if you aren't out in the sun enough. Of course, talk to your doctor about supplements, as they effect people in different ways.
--Dark chocolate. A small amount of dark chocolate increases endorphins in the brain.
Be blessed! Depression CAN be overcome, but you do have to take an active role in overcoming it. You can win!
__________________