Do you or anyone you know have been dealing with depression? Depression is very common in the difficult seasons. If you or a friend has had feelings of sadness for extended periods at a time, then this could be more than typical sadness, it could be depression.

To begin, what is depression and how do you know if you have it? It is hard to say since it affects everyone differently. There are some basic similarities though. It can come on subtly or with an overwhelming trauma. It can even come on with a memory.

Depression can be paralleled with the same concept behind you not realizing your kids are growing up so fast because what you witness is gradual. A distant relative notices your kids growth and can't seem to believe it. So it is with depression. Your friends may notice it, but you've been gradually becoming more depressed and to you it seems to be just another tough day.

Anxiety, fear, sadness, and pain are all the beginning stages of what can lead into depression. It slowly becomes worse and become severe. Sleeping, eating, basic everyday tasks is a challenge. You may feel numb or unmoved and your weight may change one way or another. Your concentration is nil and you avoid groups, social activities and become more alone.

Simple tasks become hard to do. Like, opening the mail, bill paying, or answering the phone. Here are some signs of depression that you may recognize.

What does it feel like to be depressed you may wonder. It can be different with everyone since there are many different personalities. Here are some common factors. 1. You are consistently irritable. 2. Activities do not seem interesting to you. 3. You feel like an unworthy person and you don't like yourself. 4. You lose sleep or sleep all the time. 5. You always seem to hurt physically. 6. You can cry at the drop of a hat. 7. You either gain weight or lose weight but you don't really notice. 8. You can not concentrate and you can not complete tasks. 9. You feel like there is no way out of what you feel. 10. You may be thinking of a permanent escape. Next, if you have thoughts of suicide or want to escape you can do some things to heal. The thoughts may be overwhelming and it is important that you seek solutions immediately. Even though it may seem impossible to talk to anyone, but a pastor or counselor deals with others having these same symptoms and they will help you work through these feelings. It helps to get a professional opinion.

Talking to someone about your feelings of depression always helps. Talking to a counselor or a pastor can be the best step you can take to start feeling good again. Although it may seem like it is hopeless, it is not.

When you write a diary, or journal or a note to yourself, you can help mend those negative feelings in your head. It is therapeutic to take those thoughts out and have them in front of you on paper to read. If you are concerned someone may read them, throw them away. It is still going to benefit you by allowing you to see more objectively. Soon, by doing this, healing takes place say the one's who have experienced this first hand. It also helped them love themselves again once they spent some time getting those hurt feelings out in the forefront.

Many will write down one issue that is bothering them and then taking that one issue and breaking it down into four categories.

To begin, describe the issue. You are angry with your spouse because they were late for dinner.

Second, write about your thoughts of what happened. For example, "if he loved me he would not have been late."

Third, write down what emotions you are feeling from this situation: fear, hurt, sadness, lonely, guilt, shame, etc. Or maybe it is easier to identify with one of the following messages: "I feel inadequate, unloved, unappreciated, like I don't matter, I am defective, unlovable, worthless, embarrassed," etc.

Fourth, try to describe what action you are taking given the situation, your thoughts, and your emotions. For example, are you escaping, isolating, raging, throwing things, feeling sorry for yourself, blaming others for your misery, mad at someone or God, running away, avoiding the conflict, etc.? If you will write all this down, you will be amazed with how much insight and honesty you will be aware of.

Those that chose the path to end their lives yet failed were sharing how they became hopeful only after their thoughts were shared and they grew to understand the depression. They realized their feelings were temporary and easier to deal with.

You have heard that time heals but only if you are healing. Time can make your heart harder and you become more and more withdrawn and indifferent. Take the challenge to help your healing grow stronger.

PS. If your depression has gotten to the point where you are having thoughts of ending your life, please call 911 and get some help immediately. Or call a counselor, who will know how to help.

If you need Counseling on depressionfeel free to go to Chuck Sugar.com If you needfree worksheets that help that can help.

Posted under depression

With the ups and downs of life (not to mention the holidays!) come lots of emotions. One of them can be times of sadness which is perfectly normal, but when does sadness fall into depression? Do you feel like you are depressed or are your friends saying you might be depressed? If so, you are not alone. Depression is a common problem but there is also a lot more help with depression than you may realize.

Initially, we must understand what depression feels like. It is hard to say since each person may feel different symptoms. There are some parallels with these symptoms though. And depression can be subtle and overwhelming at the same time.

Depression can be paralleled with the same concept behind you not realizing your kids are growing up so fast because what you witness is gradual. A distant relative notices your kids growth and can't seem to believe it. So it is with depression. Your friends may notice it, but you've been gradually becoming more depressed and to you it seems to be just another tough day.

Anxiety, fear, sadness, and pain are all the beginning stages of what can lead into depression. It slowly becomes worse and become severe. Sleeping, eating, basic everyday tasks is a challenge. You may feel numb or unmoved and your weight may change one way or another. Your concentration is nil and you avoid groups, social activities and become more alone.

Things that you used to do at one time are no longer enjoyable. Easy jobs are avoided and simple things like opening the mail, answering phone calls or daily chores become monumental.

What does it feel like to be depressed you may wonder. It can be different with everyone since there are many different personalities. Here are some common factors. 1. You are consistently irritable. 2. Activities do not seem interesting to you. 3. You feel like an unworthy person and you don't like yourself. 4. You lose sleep or sleep all the time. 5. You always seem to hurt physically. 6. You can cry at the drop of a hat. 7. You either gain weight or lose weight but you don't really notice. 8. You can not concentrate and you can not complete tasks. 9. You feel like there is no way out of what you feel. 10. You may be thinking of a permanent escape. Next, if you have thoughts of suicide or want to escape you can do some things to heal. The thoughts may be overwhelming and it is important that you seek solutions immediately. Even though it may seem impossible to talk to anyone, but a pastor or counselor deals with others having these same symptoms and they will help you work through these feelings. It helps to get a professional opinion.

When you talk to someone that is sworn to silence it can help make you feel better and relieve the tension that comes with the depression. Even though it seems there are no answers, there are.

Start a journal. This is free and it has proven to be a great success. If you write your thought without holding anything back, you will be able to relieve a lot of those thoughts that seem to trap you. If you are afraid someone will read the journal, keep it in a safe place or throw away the writing after it is written. It is still beneficial to get your thoughts out on paper. What a lot of people who have experienced signs of depression say that it helped them see how their thoughts were and helped get them back on track. It helped them also love themselves again for who they were.

One way to help write down your thoughts is by writing down only one issue and then break the issue down into 4 parts.

To begin, describe the issue. You are angry with your spouse because they were late for dinner.

Second, what are all your thoughts about what happened. (Be honest and do not edit). For example, "if he loved me, he would have called or would have been on time. Other things mean more to him than I do."

Third, write down things you are actually feeling. Your emotions of hurt, sadness, fear of abandonment, guilty, etc. Or write a sentence like, "I am angry because he acts like he doesn't care about me as much as his career."

Last, try to describe the action you are choosing to take with the given issue. For example, if you are crying, blaming others, mad at God, avoiding conflict, etc. write that down. You will be amazed about the honesty and insight it will reveal.

Those that chose the path to end their lives yet failed were sharing how they became hopeful only after their thoughts were shared and they grew to understand the depression. They realized their feelings were temporary and easier to deal with.

Time heals is an old saying but very true. But it is not true if you are not healing. Time can just make your heart harder and you become defensive and over protective. Take that first step and start that journey toward your healing for a happier and healthier life.

PS. If your depression has gotten to the point where you are having thoughts of ending your life, please call 911 and get some help immediately. Or call a counselor, who will know how to help.

If you need Counseling on depressionfeel free to go to Chuck Sugar.com If you needfree worksheets that help that can help.

categories: depression,christian counselors,dealing with depression,nashville,brentwood tn. tennessee,christian counseling,Family,health

Posted under depression