If you are anything like me my mind sometimes completely harras me , judge me , knock me down and out . Studies show that over 3 million people are living with depression. The largest age group is between 25-49. Many factors could contribute to this. This is the age when people work towards being financially secure, as well as most of life’s ups and downs and learning happens in this stage.
Even though 3 million people are diagnosed, one-third never took any form of antidepressant. The other million don’t even know they are depressed or even if they know they deny it.
Depression has no favorites, it attacks any race, color, or social status. Depression will get worse if you live alone and allow the mind to take over.
What is Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.The common features of all the depressive disorders are
- sadness
- emptiness
- irritable mood
Physical symptoms includes
- Sleep disturbance
- Interest/pleasure reduction
- Appetite/weight changes
- Energy changes/fatigue
- Guilt feelings or thoughts of worthlessness
- Concentration/attention impairment
- Psychomotor disturbances
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depressed mood
Did you know there is no diagnostic laboratory tests available to diagnose major depression. If this is the case then isnt it safe to say that most of this depression can be fixed by alternative methods.
Living alone with depression
These things could make depression significantly worse.
Social isolation-This is where people choose not socialize much with other people , this could be severe where people refuse to leave their apartments and stay alone all the time or mild where they go to work but fully isolate from everyone around them after that.
Socioeconomic composition -This is where people can become depressed depending on the neighbourhoods they live in. It could range from being so wealthy they are far out of everyone’s reach or they could be poor where they live in low class communities with constant noise and violenceand no mental peace.
Environment – this is where someone is triggered by the environment this could be external , not having the opportunity to see much of nature or having any opportunity to relax or too much time on their hands they become bored and depressed.This could also stem from living with too many people .
What to do when depressed and alone
Studies show that it is more likely for people to start using antidepressants when they live alone rather than when they live with others. There is a way to stop depression and stop the mind from going out of control.
According to Eckhart Tolle, humans adjust to the norm of thinking nonstop which is dangerous. They have no way of actually turning off the mind. Some people’s minds control them. They listen to the voice in their heads and talk back to it or even fight with it.
It’s even easier for those compulsive annoying thoughts to control and drain you when you are always alone.
The first thing to do is
- Go inside the mind – This requires you to take a moment and listen to the thoughts in your head. Be still and do not fight them.
- Do not fight the thoughts or argue with them, observe what is common about these thoughts.
- Identify the pattern – Is it something that could be triggered from the past, some events happening presently in your life, or maybe overwhelmed with your future?
- Is the pattern of the mind just judging you, creating the worst possible scenarios in your head?
Next
- Write down what’s happening in your life right now and what’s triggering any feelings whether it be sad, Painful, etc.
Thirdly
To every problem or trigger you find , write a possible solution beside it.
Lastly-
Make a clear path to how you can get to each solution .
Then thereafter give no thought to the mind , just see the thoughts as waves that’s coming and going. Observe it and let it flow . Do not hold on to any of it or identify yourself with your mind . You are not your thoughts.
Fighting depression fatigue
A person fighting depression could become severely exhausted and relatively quickly because the mind is constantly under stress or sadness.
- Follow a healthy balanced meal – incorporating fresh pressed juices
- Have a bedtime routine – for eg, watch TV for 1 hr, eat dinner, take a walk, take a bath and read a book, light candles and set the mood, do sleepytime yoga, drink chamomile or any herbal tea turn off the lights.
- Journaling – it is extremely important for people with depression to journal, this way they can identify patterns and triggers.
- Stay hydrated
- Have someone you can talk to such as a friend or therapist
- Sleep
Recommendations
- Books to read- The Power of Now by Echart Tolle
- Get a pet – one you can hug and play with
- Join friend groups on Facebook or meet up groups in your city
- Join a church that teaches biblical principles and promotes love and fellowship
- medications that are recommended through research (confirm with a doctor)
- Join yoga groups that promote mindfulness
I live by these words
All the trees and grass will still grow, the birds will still sing , the buildings will still stand, the price of goods will still be pricy, nothing changes because i am down, Which is why i believe i can choose the way i feel and the day i will have . Nothing external will change because i am moping around ,If i am sad it affects my mood and my energy negatively, but if i am positive i will have an amazing day . I will positively change the direction of things because that’s the flow of nature . Therefore i will choose happiness and positivity.
The mind is a powerful thing and you must take active steps to deal with it and not let it control you !
References
Stahl ST, Beach SR, Musa D, Schulz R. Living alone and depression: the modifying role of the perceived neighborhood environment. Aging Ment Health. 2017 Oct;21(10):1065-1071. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1191060. Epub 2016 Jun 7. PMID: 27267633; PMCID: PMC5161727.
