"It’s time we shake off the boulder on our shoulders that is our need to fulfill every expectation placed on us. We cannot. No matter how hard we try. This much needed article by Jessica Ann gives us tips on healing and building ourselves to be the best we can be."
by Jessica Ann
Have you ever felt like you can't breathe, or you find it hard to calm the voices in your mind that usually sound like you've failed in all aspects of your life affecting your self-esteem?
Ever find yourself doing normal routine things like driving, working, watching a movie, doing household chores and suddenly find yourself desperately out of breath and unable to stop the unwarranted palpitations of your heart?
Do you find yourself excessively worrying about your problems, feeling constantly agitated, restless and irritated, having trouble falling asleep, and avoiding social gatherings and situations?
If your answer to most of these questions is “yes”, then it is time to understand this:
You might be facing depression! Yup, you heard that right...
Working with a professional can help you manage your anxiety and reduce your symptoms as quickly and safely as possible.
Most of us, as much as we don’t like to admit it, are either embarrassed to speak about our emotional or psychological struggles to anyone, be it a close friend or family member, let alone a stranger.
The fear of being judged for what society considers a mental issue far supersedes our need to voice out a call for help and seek guidance.
The world is constantly evolving and many of us are forced to adapt to these changes whether we want to or not.
They can be big changes like jobs, finances, relationship status, lifestyle, or minor changes like your haircut, weight, character, etc -These can affect the perception of people around you.
What is interesting is that as much as we try to hold on to the true nature of our being, we tend to live for the approval and acceptance of the ones around us.
It's sad, but the brutally honest truth.
"And the challenge we face to meet each person's expectation, to please everyone, eventually drives us to lose who we were, who we are and who we aspire to be."
Everyone goes through it - dealing with expectations from parents, siblings, spouses, business partners, bosses, colleagues, friends, romantic partners, enemies, pastors, church members and so many other individuals around us.
Take a moment, close your eyes and ask yourself an honest question: When was the last time I met God’s expectation and my own?
Self-esteem is important because it heavily influences people's choices and decisions. In other words, self-esteem serves a motivational function, making it more or less likely that people will take care of themselves and explore their full potential because it heavily influences people's choices and decisions.
I think that the root cause of depression is loss of hope. Depression can affect all people, great or small.
It was by looking through a micro-lens of how my life was turning out to be that made me realize that there were a few signs that served as an indication that i was facing depression like :-
Stress :
Stressful life events, which overwhelm a person's ability to cope, can be a cause of depression.
Changes in Appetite :
Persistent depressive disorder may involve a poor appetite or overeating but there may not be the same marked change in weight that is present.
Sleep Disturbances :
Sleep disturbances including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, feeling sleepy despite a full night's rest, or daytime sleepiness can indicate depression.
Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt :
Excessive, inappropriate guilt, and feelings of worthlessness are common symptoms of major depressive disorder. The feelings of guilt may be so severe that the person becomes delusional
Difficulty Concentrating :
Both major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder involve difficulty concentrating and making decisions. People with depression may recognize this in themselves or others around them may notice that they're struggling to think clearly.
Decreased Interest or Pleasure :
Decreased interest or pleasure in things that were once enjoyed. A person exhibiting this symptom will show markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities such as favorite hobbies or sports or any form of activities once participated diligently.
"I share this from a very personal experience of mine that whenever you feel it's the end of the road for you because of the problems you are facing and there is no way out or to turn back, this is the moment I encourage you to drop on your knees and cry unto Jesus to lift you. "
Pray for peace, for clarity and for a way. When life knocks you on your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray and God is always listening.
8 Strategies for Dealing with Depression
Here are some practical strategies for helping anyone that might be battling depression :-
Describe the experience :
Describe your experience of depression in vivid detail. People are different, so just like cookies, depression comes in all kinds of shapes, waves and sizes.
Identify the causes :
Depression often is not just something we have, it is something we do. Examine your own heart with this question: “If my depression could speak, what would it say? What does it say about me? To others? To God?”
Depression is an active experience and can result from many sources other than the physiological - guilt due to unconfessed sin, false guilt, misplaced shame, ungodly fears, suppressed bitterness or hatred, hopeless grieving and unbiblical expectations.
Act on the truth :
Those who seek help, must first accept the challenge of faithful obedience. Even though you do not feel like it or are skeptical that anything will make a difference, it's important to have faith. Any progress out of the pit is a step-by-step, bit-by-bit journey. Small, practical, consistent faith-based change occurs in the details.
Look at lifestyle :
Evaluate and provide recommendations for lifestyle problems such as overworking, lack of exercise, sleep difficulties, procrastination, unresolved stressors, absence of spiritual disciplines, etc.
Resolve conflicts :
Deal with troubled relationships in your past or present. Whether it’s with someone you don’t talk to anymore or someone you have not had closure with. The secret to a peaceful life is letting go of what you can’t change.
Get to work :
Assign active loving tasks performed for the benefit of others. Helping others can provide a new perspective on life, even for you.
By Jessica Ann
Kommentare