Depression: finding yourself and starting to heal

Depression is often perceived as a sickness or more so a disease that needs to be cured. Misunderstood and forbidden from being openly discussed, depression and mental health have become topics that are almost banished from common talk, only to make those who face them find all hope of finding reprieve fading.

It doesn’t have to be like this. Things need to change now. To all those going through depression, here’s hoping that by the end of this post you feel heard and somewhat hopeful of finding a lasting solution.

THE PATH TOWARDS HEALING

1. ACCEPTANCE BEFORE DELIVERANCE

Before finding a way to come out of the problem, you need to accept that there is one. You need to be able to come out strongly and say, “Yes, I’m depressed. Yes, I need help.”

You’ve won half your battle right there. Addressing your concern is what many people refuse to do due to fear of being judged by society. On the other hand, accepting the problem automatically puts you in a position where you want to do something about it.

2. VISUALISE AND GIVE LIFE TO YOUR CONCERN

Now I know what you may be thinking. The whole point is to overcome it and not give it a chance to assert its presence in your life. But hear me out, when one feels depressed, he or she may not necessarily know the reason behind the very feeling. Visualizing and giving it a form will help you identify what is troubling you.

Again, the key here is to let it come to you naturally. Consider it a process where your personality and passion are mixed with your depression.

Are you the writing type? You can sit down with a notepad and pen, begin writing and you’ll slowly see your concerns coming to life.  Or if you are artistically inclined, you can grab your brushes and let your hands lead you. Your final masterpiece will hold meaning you never recognized. More into music, then create new tunes to match your mood. See where I’m going with this?

3. HELP WILL ALWAYS BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ASK FOR IT

You may feel like nobody understands you. You may not want to burden others with your problems thinking it not as important when compared to others’ problems. But STOP right there. Comparing pain and distress is a foolish thing to do, and you should validate your feelings.

Talk to people whom you hold close to your heart, such as family and friends. And if you’re someone who feels uncomfortable talking about your worries to them, then you could always seek help from a professional. Voicing your concerns is extremely important instead of holding it all in. It helps you to figure out for yourself what really is the reason behind your depression. The main idea is that it’s only when you decide to share and voice your concerns can someone guide you out of it.

4. DON’T FALL FOR SYMPATHY

Trust me, it’s the worst.

Just when you feel like you are finally coming out stronger than ever before, that one person comes up to you and says that one extremely clichéd line like, “Poor you – you really must be feeling horrible” and you find yourself falling into a deeper mess. It may be that the person is genuinely trying to help you, but you can’t help but feel frustrated, and worse than before.

At this stage all you want is good vibes, thoughts and people. Find anyone pulling you down? Remove yourself from their negative energy and surround yourself by people who can lift your spirits. Which brings me to my next point.

5. YOU COME FIRST

For once in your life put yourself first. Your health, needs, desires and everything else in between. As humans we easily tend to feel bad the moment we think even a little bit for ourselves. Well, now is not the time.  Look at it in this way: you need to be fine to make sure others around you are just as fine. You need to be headstrong about the path you take to come out of this unhappy state of mind and you need to stick to it, come what may.

6. FIND SOLACE IN SIMPLICITY

Ever taken a walk in the park all by yourself? Kids playing around. Birds chirping. Leaves swaying to the summer breeze. A state of calmness washes over you that very moment. Can you picture it?

In the world we are living in today all we do is work, eat, sleep, repeat (okay maybe a few things more) but you get the point, yeah? We are constantly moving, juggling between two or three things, in a rush to get somewhere in life. In all this hustle, have you ever stopped to look around you?

I’m guessing not. Well do it now. Surrounding yourself with nature is the best healing one can ever receive. You know why? Because it’s the only place you get to be you. No one to please, to judge you, to tell you off. You can be yourself in all glory and find acceptance in the silence around you.

7. FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PROCESS

It’s not an easy path and not a quick one. But learn to appreciate it. Be proud of every accomplishment you make in this course of time, no matter how big or small. Every one step away from depression is a hundred steps into the most beautiful moments of your life. Remind yourself where you were and where you are now. Take note of how you evolve as a person and find beauty in it. Celebrate the journey in your own special way. And celebrate you.

8. LIFT OTHERS ALONG WITH YOURSELF

There may be many others around us going through depression and finding it hard to come out of it. We may never know them since they always cover their pain with a smile. Help them to break free. Share your story. Listen to them without an ounce of judgement. Make them feel heard, loved, appreciated and most importantly, understood. Let them know they are not in this alone. No one ever is.

Here are additional resources to help your healing process:

https://adaa.org/
https://www.nami.org/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml