When Something Sad Becomes Something Serious: Fighting the Descent into Depression
Life rarely flows by without any ripples. There may be periods of ‘smooth sailing’ but frequently we’ll find ourselves dashed up against an unexpected impediment, and like water splashing around a boulder or a fallen tree, things will look and feel chaotic for a while.
Sometimes that ‘boulder’ or ‘fallen tree’ is a job loss, the end of a romantic relationship, or a newly-empty nest. And what was initially a feeling of grief gradually becomes a general depression or continual feeling of malaise.
You may notice a lack of interest in activities you used to take pleasure in. You may be eating when you’re not hungry, simply because it makes you feel good for a short while – or you may be losing your appetite completely. You may be having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and as a result you’re edgy during the day or finding yourself completely out of steam by early afternoon. Or it may be that you want to sleep all the time – simply to escape.
These may become physical issues that egg on the emotional issues and before long you might find yourself believing you’re simply unable to cope with life, and the downward spiral gets deeper and deeper.
Keeping these feelings and pressures to yourself can make matters worse, and it’s not only helpful but healthy to talk to someone about your situation. Talking to a trusted friend or counselor can make the difference between developing past a painful milestone in your life – or succumbing to it.
You’re not alone in what you’ve experienced or how you feel. It can be a tremendous relief to sort through your feelings with the help of a trained professional and let them assist you. Sometimes you may just need someone to listen – or you may need to hear what others have found helpful. Or sometimes, you just need help finding perspective.
Author Wendell Berry once famously wrote: “The impeded stream is the one that sings.”
One of the trained professionals at Counseling on Demand COD can help you see the larger picture and remind you that who you are is a result of your life experiences. We want to help you get past the impediments – and find hope in the song that makes you special and unique.
If you’d like to explore the possibility of talking to a COD counselor, please contact us today to set up your first meeting, absolutely free of charge. It’s online talk therapy, face-to-face, and it’s on demand – when and where you need it.
