Down in the Burrow

Disclaimer: The author of this post is NOT a health professional

Have you ever felt that getting out of bed in the morning was one of the most difficult tasks possible? Not because it was cold, but rather that you could not face the idea of dealing with the world outside! That being in your bed was sort of womb-like and you were safe there?

If you can relate to that, then you most likely have experienced being in a depressed state of mind.

The reason that I said 'most likely' is that I'm not a health professional, just a fellow sufferer of depression.

The most important thing is to talk to someone like a friend, priest or health professional and get your feelings out in the open and where you can look at them more objectively. You really don't have to accept the well-meant advice of "get over it" or "snap out of it"! These comments may be well meant but for me, most of the time, they have been among the most unhelpful bits of advice I've ever been given. How can you snap out of a state when you don't even know what brought it on or if you do, you feel as though you have no control over the situation? Being depressed can feel like being wrapped up in a thick, unpleasant dark cloud, a sense of some combination of helplessness, fear and hopelessness.

These days I find coping with life generally easier, but the sense of fear and anxiety can easily descend given the 'right' circumstances. Each person has their own triggers that can take them into a sort of private hell, or at least some level of purgatory.

In my case, medication has helped give me some space to deal with my feelings and reactions to the outside world. Sometimes I worry that I'm going to be on them for the rest of my life, and this is something I really want to avoid. Worrying doesn't help, but being an obsessive 'worry wart' is one of the challenges I have to deal with :-} Some people find meditation and exercise help lift at least some of the dark cloud from their shoulders. Or a mixture of different approaches.

If you can, go and see a sympathetic health professional to at least get advice on your options of how to defeat those evil, incredibly negative feelings which can drag you down. Just talking to someone can often lighten your load considerably.

Try to treat yourself with respect, not to abuse your body, mind or spirit! You don't have to be perfect - being good enough is fine, and accepting help does not mean that you've lost something or are weak. Sometimes we just can't carry our loads all by ourselves.

The first steps towards a healthier mental state include admitting that there are problems in how well or badly you are coping with your life and the world around you. Having taken that first step you will hopefully eventually find that there are lots of blue skies and white fluffy clouds to see on the continuing journey that is life. And friendly, helpful people with whom to share your experiences.

If you find depression is an ongoing part of your life, take that first step forward into the sunshine, out of those dark clouds! You have nothing to lose but your chains.