Depression-all about depression and its overcome
Coping with Nighttime Depression
Early Warning Signs of a Depressive Episode
Affirmations to Help with Depression
How to Help Your Depressed Friends and Loves Ones
Signs That Your Loved Ones are Struggling with Depression
Vitamins that Help to Relieve Depression Side Effects
Mindfulness to Help with Depression
High VS Low Functioning Depression
How to Be Productive with Depression
Summer Depression
Social Medias Impact on Depression
Depression and Disconnection
How to Deal with Loss of Appetite from Depression
Side Effects of Anti-Depressants
Depression and Loss of Identity
Coping with Nighttime Depression
Depression and its symptoms can come at any time, as you are probably well aware.
But some people tend to experience it worse at night. There are many reasons for this,
from possibly being lonely at night, to being in a quiet room where your mind starts
thinking and often overthinking, about everything. Luckily, there are some ways to help
you cope with your nighttime depression.
Unwind Ahead of Time
The first thing you can do when you suffer from depression at night is to begin
unwinding for bed ahead of time. You really should start a new nighttime routine that will
allow your body and mind to get adjusted to going to sleep soon. It can be more
unnerving when you go straight to bed after having your brain or body extremely active.
When you do that, your brain suddenly accepts your feelings and thoughts get out of
control.
Try participating in relaxing activities that distract you from your depression. Avoid
caffeine or alcohol before bed, and take a bath with some essential oils like lavender or
chamomile.
Find a Nighttime Distraction
While insomnia can often be worsened by listening to music or watching TV at night, it
might be needed to help with depression. This can be a vicious cycle, so it is
important to find the right balance for you. It might mean listening to music that is
soothing and distracts your mind from your thoughts, but doesn’t stimulate you too
much. On the other hand, save watching TV or hanging out with friends late at night for
when you feel your nighttime depression going through a really bad phase.
Focus Other Treatments for the NighttimeSome treatments for depression, like antidepressants, can be taken at any time of the
day, so that might not make much of a difference. However, other more natural
treatments can be adjusted based on the time when you feel your worst. Switch up
your schedule where you take vitamins like serotonin or vitamin D at night, take nightly
baths with essential oils, and do your journaling or mindful practice in the evenings.
Depression is a mental illness with no cure, but one that can be treated and coped with
by using a variety of methods. When you deal with nighttime depression, it is just a
matter of finding what relieves those bad moments in the evening with a little trial and
error.
Early Warning Signs of a Depressive Episode
Depression comes in all forms, from high and low functioning depression, to mild,
moderate, and severe. You might have situational depression, triggers, or chronic
depression where it comes out of nowhere. One thing that is the same for everyone is
that they go through periods where their own depression is at a heightened level, known
as a depressive episode.
It is important to learn the early warning signs of one of these episodes, so you can fully
prepare for it.
Your Signs Might Be Different
The first really important thing to understand is that your early warning signs of a
depressive episode might be completely different from someone else. Everyone’s
mental illnesses and level of depression are going to be different. So, the following list is
a good guide, but the best thing you can do is keep a journal of your triggers and
different things you experience so you can keep track of the common trends.
Complete Hopelessness
This can be something you experience almost constantly, or if you are like many
people, it is more of a sign of a major depressive episode coming on. Feeling hopeless
and helpless is something a lot of depression sufferers experience, which can make it
hard to be motivated to do anything. This outlook on yourself and life in general also
puts you at a higher risk for self-harm, so you should definitely talk to someone when
you start feeling like this.
Mood and Anger Issues
Sometimes people who are suddenly in a bad mood or have a lot of anger and irritability
confuse it with PMS, simple mood swings for other reasons, or even lack of sleep. While
this can also contribute it, you might find that this is actually one of your early warning
signs of a depressive episode. Especially when it isn’t related to your cycle or outside
influences, and seems to come on randomly.
Changes in Sleep or Eating Habits
Do you notice that during times when you are starting to have poor sleep or you lose
your appetite, you tend to feel mentally worse afterward? This isn’t always a
consequence of the lack of sleep, but actually the result of a depressive episode.
Physical changes are very commonly related to mental illnesses like depression and
anxiety.
Finding Your Triggers
The most important thing you can do is find your triggers, which are whatever symptoms
or situations that lead to depressive episodes. You might not be able to avoid it, but you
can at least know when it’s coming and prepare for it.
Affirmations to Help with Depression
If you are suffering from depression, it can be hard just getting out of bed, let alone
doing anything to help. However, you probably have moments of clarity where your
depression takes a pause, and that is when you should take advantage and look for
other ways to manage your symptoms. One great way to do this is by using
affirmations.
What are Affirmations?
It helps to first have a better understanding of what affirmations are and how they can
help you. An affirmation is simply a word or phrase that you repeat (silently or out loud)
that puts you in a different mindset. They are used for many purposes, but they really
help to bring more positive energy into your mind and your life.
There have been studies to show that your subconscious mind doesn’t always
understand past and present, so by repeating these phrases with earnest to yourself,
you often bring in that positive energy and can make it a reality. If nothing else, they can
help you get through some really bad depressive episodes until you are able to get
other types of help.
Examples of Affirmations for Depression
Affirmations can be anything you want to repeat to yourself that brings in positive
thoughts or help you to be more mindful. It might take a little time before you find the
ones that work best for you specifically. However, a good place to start is with words or
phrases that shift your mindset to feeling good about yourself and your life, even if you
don’t quite feel that way at this moment.
Here are some examples:
I feel connected and close to the people I love.
My life matters.
I will become a healthy and strong person.
I love myself and my life.
I am important and valuable.
Tips for Using Affirmations
The key to using affirmations for depression or any other mental illness is to do so
consistently. The more you repeat these affirmations to yourself, the more you will begin
to believe them. Absorb the words and feel them deep in your mind and body.
Eventually, you will come to think more positive thoughts and less negative thoughts,
which can help you cope with depression, along with other treatment options you have.
It is important to note that they are not meant to replace other treatments, but simply
accompany them.
How to Help Your Depressed Friends and Loves Ones
You have probably arrived here because you have someone close to you who is
suffering from depression, and you want to help. You have just made the first most
important step, which is to learn how you can help them. Here are some things you can
do (and avoid) when it comes to supporting friends and loved ones with depression and
other mental illnesses.
What Not to Do
Before talking about ways to help people with depression, let’s take a moment to
discuss what you should not do or say. These are sometimes objective since everyone
is different, but they provide a good general guideline. Helping others means never
judging them, first of all. It is okay to not understand how depression works, but you are
there to be supportive. Don’t try to cure their depression, assume it will go away if they
try hard enough, or be critical of how they deal with their mental illness.
Try to avoid saying things like just relax and deal with it. This is only going to make them
feel worse and like they can’t even do depression the right way. Don’t avoid being
around them or talking to them just because you don’t understand what they are going
through. And lastly, just because your friend does not return your call, does not mean
you should not continue reaching out. They might not be in a place where they can talk,
but they will still appreciate the gesture.
Invite Them Over
A really easy way to connect and check in on someone who suffers from depression is
to simply be there for them. Don’t ask them to let you know if they need anything
because even if they do, they will most likely say no. They feel worthless and lack
confidence and don’t want to be a burden on others. Instead of that approach, think of
something casual and fun you can do together, that they would also enjoy doing. It can
be as simple as inviting them over for dinner or going out for coffee or to a movie.
Show Your Concerns in a Gentle Way
Asking questions about their health or showing that you are concerned about them is a
good way to check in on people with depression, but always be kind, gentle, and non-confrontational. You should not make them feel judged or like they are being criticized.
Instead, let them know you have been thinking about them, tell them you are concerned
when you are and ask if there is a way you can support them.
Signs That Your Loved Ones are Struggling with Depression
When someone has depression, they often look “normal” on the outside and are
dealing with a million different conflicting thoughts in their own mind. Depression is
lonely, it is painful, and it is often devastating to people who suffer from it. The best
thing you can do is be there to support your loved ones, but first you might need to
know when they are in most need of help. Here are some signs to look out for.
Detachment and Isolation
If your friend or loved one begins canceling plans, not showing up to events, and
ignoring phone calls or text messages, you might want to check in on them. Isolation
and feeling detached from others is a very common sign of depression. This is often
one of the first things people do when going through a depressive episode. They call
into work more often and just don’t feel like they can be social at all. It is often
accompanied by no longer being interested in the same things, and almost disappearing
completely.
Aches and Pains
Many times, depression manifests itself in physical ways, which is another way to notice
it in your friends or family members. Have you noticed that they seem to have an
increase in aches and pains? While this could be a legitimate pain, where it just comes
from a physical condition or injury, there are some things to note when it might be
mental. Constant and chronic pain that is never relieved by medication, friends who
seem to constantly have a new thing that is hurting, or when they seem blue and low
while also complaining of aches and pains could be some signs to look out for.
They Are Becoming Angry or Irritable
This is something else to look out for in your friends or loved ones. People with
depression often go through mood and behavioral changes as a result of their mental
illness. Do not take this personally, as it might actually be a silent cry for help. If
suddenly your friend with depression is becoming irritable, easily agitated, or downright
angry all the time, it might be time to nurture their feelings.
This can be difficult when their anger is hard to be around, but try to remember they are
struggling with this more than you are, and people who push others away often need
the most love and support.
Vitamins that Help to Relieve Depression Side Effects
Depression is a serious mental illness that can cause feelings of hopelessness,
loneliness, and severe isolation. While you should still seek out treatment from your
doctor and a therapist, there are some natural remedies that can also be useful to
helping you cope. One of them is using certain vitamins and supplements.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The great thing about this vitamin is that you can either take it as a supplement, or you
can simply switch to a healthy diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are easily found in many foods
you eat, such as salmon, sardines, milk, and some types of yogurt. If you don’t eat
these types of foods, just take a fish oil capsule once a day, and you should be getting
as much as you need each day. Omega-3 fatty acids are great at stabilizing your mood,
which is how they can help tremendously with some of your depression side effects.
Turmeric
This might be in the spice and herb category, but it is an excellent nutrient to add to
your diet if you suffer from depression. Like all the other vitamins on this list, it is not
going to cure your depression or replace other medications you take, but it can definitely
help with some of those side effects and symptoms you experience. Turmeric is an
amazing spice for your brain since it can protect your mitochondria with powerful
antioxidants, among many other physical benefits.
Vitamin D
One of the most common vitamin deficiencies is vitamin D, which is even more common
if you don’t go outside much during the day. You can get vitamin D naturally by being in
the sun more often, but if you work inside during the day and only get out at night, you
are definitely not getting enough. An alternative is to take a vitamin D supplement,
which reduces the stress of trying to consume enough food for this supplement.
There
is also a very close link between vitamin D and depression.
Melatonin
Lastly, try to take melatonin if you have insomnia related to your depression. Not
sleeping enough can make depression worse, and depression often causes insomnia. It
is a vicious cycle that you need to remedy. Melatonin is a natural supplement you can
take each night to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It isn’t harmful to
your body, so there is no reason not to at least try it.
Mindfulness to Help with Depression
If you have never heard of mindfulness, now is a great time to learn more about it.
Mindfulness allows you to focus only on the present moment, letting your fears of the
future and regrets of the past be put aside for the time being. It is so amazing for your
mindset, helping to relieve stress and anxiety. It is also a wonderful way to start coping
with your depression.
Why Mindfulness Works
How does mindfulness help? It can provide benefits for people suffering from
depression in a variety of ways, but this begins with the cognitive symptoms of this
mental illness. When you practice mindfulness, you are really only focusing on what you
think or feel exactly at this moment. You are in a constant state of being mindful, which
can help to bring you back to reality. It helps to bring in positive thoughts and try to push
out the negative (often irrational) ones.
With depression, it is often difficult to distinguish between exaggerated or realistic
thoughts, which is what mindfulness is going to help you a lot with.
Taking the Power Away from Your Thoughts
Through mindfulness, you learn a lot of important lessons, but one of the biggest ones
is that your thoughts don’t need to control you. If you notice that when your depression
is at its peak, you have a lot of negative thoughts about yourself, your abilities, and your
worthiness in this world, those thoughts manifest in very dangerous ways. But with
mindfulness, you are putting them aside for now and trying to find more positive, logical
thoughts about the current moment. This can slowly but surely re-adjust your thoughts
and let you see that they do not control you.
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is actually much simpler than it might seem, and just takes a little practice.
You can do it in the form of meditation, with simple breathing exercises, or while doing
just about any activity. Enjoy going for runs? Think about everything you think, see, and
feel during the run, and you are being mindful. This can be done at work, school, at
home, while walking your dogs, or while writing in your journal. When eating a meal, pay
close attention to the flavor, temperature, feel of it on your tongue, its smell, and how
your body reacts to it. This is what you do when you are practicing mindfulness.
High VS Low Functioning Depression
As you begin learning more about depression and how it differs, something to keep in
mind is that it isn’t always black and white. The vision of being who you can tell are
obviously depressed is only real people with low-functioning depression. There is also
another form, called high-functioning depression, which is harder to spot in your friends,
but just as serious.
High Functioning Depression
High functioning depression and low functioning depression differ in what you do, how
you react to things in your life, and how other people see you. It is often hidden in plain
sight because you go to work or school, take care of your family, and show up when it is
needed. But you might also isolate yourself at times, similar to someone who is
struggling with anxiety or who has an introverted personality. People with high
functioning depression will do just the bare minimum, while low functioning depression
makes it even that seem impossible on the worst days.
Signs of High Functioning Depression
Not sure what type of depression you have? Here are some common signs of high
functioning depression:
You Have Confidence Problems – If you are someone who is constantly critical of
yourself and are overwhelmed with low self-esteem and a lot of self-doubt, you might be
suffering from high functioning depression. It is not uncommon to never really see
yourself as being good or talented at anything, unattractive, and unworthy of affection.
You Rarely Experience Joy – Are you finding that you don’t experience a lot of joy in
your life? It might be hard to be happy or excited about things, or when you do
something other people find exhilarating, your mood and happiness level are just
neutral. This is another thing that often happens with people who have high functioning
depression.
Everything Seems Like a Huge Deal – People with high functioning depression often
find that small things become or feel like big things almost immediately. This can be
good or bad things, but it often starts with one slightly negative thought that snowballs
and gets out of control very quickly.
You Are an Angry or Irritable Person – While this can be true of people with any type
of depression, it is often a sign that someone has high functioning depression, because
other parts of their life might seem normal and like they don’t have a mental illness at
all.
How to Be Productive with Depression
If you are someone who struggles with depression, or you know someone who does,
then you are aware of how it takes a toll on your life. One significant way it affects you is
with your work, or anything you need to get done. It truly is difficult just doing daily
tasks, let alone trying to move forward with your goals. But there is hope! Here are
some tips for being productive when you are suffering from depression.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
This type of natural “remedy” for depression is not going to cure it, but what it can do is
help you to relax and practice breathing techniques that at least get you through the
work that needs to be done. When you are feeling like all you can manage is to sleep or
maybe take a shower, but even that would take a lot of work, try deep breathing
exercises. These will let you put aside all your thoughts for the time being, and only
focus on your breathing. It is often a good distraction that will let you at least get up and
get something done.
Set Short-Term Goals
Thinking about what you will be doing a year, 5 or 10 years from now can seen almost
impossible when you have depression. Instead of stressing yourself out with long-term
goals, stick to very short-term goals instead. This means things you can do today or
next week or have done in the next month. It allows you to focus on a smaller amount of
things, and simple tasks you will good about completing. What is one thing you can get
done this week that will help you move forward? Do that, and don’t worry about the rest
for now.
Be with Inspiring People
You know that when you have depression, it is important to have a good support
system. Aside from that, you should have a circle of people who inspire you to be better
and more productive. Don’t spend your time with friends who party too much and tend
to encourage behaviors that aren’t healthy for your mind. You need people around you
who constantly support you in positive ways to do better, even with your depression.
Give Yourself Time
Don’t try to push yourself too much, or during those times when you wind down and try
to relax, all of your depressive thoughts can come rushing back to you with a
vengeance. Take it slow, pick a few tasks that help you to move forward, and give
yourself patience.
Summer Depression – Tips for Coping
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is very common, but many people think this only
occurs in the winter when the weather is cold and gloomy, and the nights are longer.
However, SAD can occur at any time of year, and many people see their depression
worsening in the summer months.
Why Summer Depression?
The reasons for SAD at different times of the year are not always black and white. With
people who get worsened depression symptoms in the winter, it seems more
predictable since it is dark, gloomy, with more days spent indoors, more isolation, and
less vitamin D from the sun. However, there are a different set of reasons for getting it
during hot months. This might include body image issues with people wearing less
clothing, having memories from a trauma that occurred in a previous summer, or just a
cyclical type of depression that tends to occur at the same time every year.
Find Something Fun to do
This might be easier said than done, especially if you have low functioning depression
where you don’t want to do anything or see anyone. However, if you can find the right
reason to do something over the summer, it can make a big difference in how you feel.
Try to find something fun you can do over the summer, whether it is with family and
friends, or a solo activity. If you are okay with remaining isolated, don’t force yourself to
do something you’re not comfortable with. Just find an activity you enjoy doing that
makes summer at least a little easier to deal with.
Get Exercise When You Can
Endorphins are released to help lift your mood when you exercise, so it is never a bad
thing. If it’s too hot in the summer to exercise outdoors, go to a gym or just dance
around in your living room. You can even make it a group activity with your family, which
is also great for you when you suffer from depression.
Replace Your Triggers
And lastly, you guessed it, reduce those triggers as much as possible. If you have a
past trauma that occurred during the summer season, try to figure out what part of that
trauma reminds you the most of it when summer comes around. It may be something
very simple like a song, places you go, or just the beach. Avoid these types of triggers
as much as you can. Is social media making you feel worse about your own isolation?
Either try to reach out to people to spend time with, or just close social media to get rid
of this trigger.
Social Media’s Impact on Depression
In the age of social media, everyone is sharing just about everything about their life. In
some ways, social media has been a blessing, since you can reconnect with old friends,
keep in touch with people who live far away, and make new friends. Unfortunately, for
people with depression and other mental illnesses, it can make you feel worst. Here are
some things to understand about social media and its impact on depression.
Social Media and its Triggers
One of the ways that social media has made a negative impact on people with
depression is that it can create triggers for people. The word “trigger” might seem a little
cliché today, but it is very serious and very real. Someone with a mental illness might go
through periods of feeling a little better, but one very small thing can trigger their illness
and send them back into a bad episode. This is true of people with depression. So
much is shared on social media, that anything from a phrase to an event can be
triggering.
Signs that Social Media is Hurting You
Not sure that your depression symptoms are affected or worsened by social media? All
you need to do is pay a little attention to your own brain and body when you use social
media. It can often be very subtle in the beginning, and just takes a little journaling to
figure it out. Start writing in your journal on a daily basis, beginning with how you’re
doing before you ever log on to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Then write down how it
changes when you begin using social media actively. You might notice things like:
Your mood shifts
You suddenly become very jealous
You find it hard to see what friends are doing
You feel easily upset or triggered by events
What to do About it
The obvious answer is to reduce your social media time, but that is often easier said
than done. Sometimes, you need to use it to keep in touch with distant relatives, or you
use it as a way to network for your job. In this case, just be careful when and how you
use social media.
Unfollow or block anyone that upsets you to the point where they are becoming a huge
trigger. Don’t follow any news outlets if that is a trigger for you, and get into the habit of
not using it at least when you’re going through a serious depressive episode.
Depression and Disconnection
With depression comes many different symptoms and side effects, including physical,
mental, and emotional effects. One thing you may experience with your depression is
disconnection. This is when you feel detached from other people and other things in
your life, as if you are on one level, and everybody else is on another. Here is more
information about disconnection or detachment and how to deal with it.
Where Disconnection and Detachment
Comes From
If you have been feeling detached from other people as a result of your depression, you
might be aware that this happens, but not entirely sure why. Understanding why this
happens helps a lot with coping with it and learning how to navigate it. Detachment
often occurs due to your distorted thinking, which is also the result of the depression.
People with depression have distorted thoughts and feelings, brought on by this mental
illness, similar to someone with sever anxiety.
Over time, you don’t feel like yourself. You have low self esteem and low sense of selfworth, which can cerate a snowball effect of feeling worthless. This will start to cause
you to become disconnected from other people, leading to more isolation, which makes
you feel worse.
What You Can do About it
Just because you have been experiencing this detachment doesn’t mean all hope is
lost. Here are a few strategies to help you feel more connected to other people:
Start a Grounding Practice – Grounding is a practice where you put your feet on the
earth or another natural surface. It is amazingly therapeutic and is used for people with
stress, anxiety, and depression. Often times when you go through depression, your
detachment isn’t just from people, but things and the world around you. Grounding
yourself can bring you back to reality and feel more connected to the earth. It must be
with the actual earth’s surface, to stand on dirt, sand, or grass.
Find a Physically-Stimulating Activity – Another way you can relieve this
disconnection is to find a more physically-stimulating activity. The benefits are very
similar to grounding yourself, where you are focusing on your body and how it moves,
which can be a nice distraction from your mind and keeps your thoughts from taking
over. IT can be exercise, which also releases endorphins, or any other physical activity
or game that you enjoy.
If you have felt disconnected from friends or loved ones, find something you can do
together.
How to Deal with Loss of Appetite from Depression
While many people discuss the emotional and mental changes that occur when you
suffer from depression, there are just as many physical effects to be aware of. A very
common one is when you start to lose your appetite. Some people do get a bigger
appetite, or start emotionally eating to deal with depression, but more often than not,
you have no interest in food at all. Keep reading to learn how to deal with your loss of
appetite.
Why Appetite Loss is a Bad Thing
If you have ever struggled with disordered eating, emotional eating, or losing weight,
then appetite loss might seem like a good thing. However, it is not only a sign that your
depression might be worsening, but it can lead to malnutrition and the negative side
effects of it. With persistent appetite loss, you might not be even getting the bare
minimum of nutrients into your body, which can lead to infections, intestinal blockage,
gastrointestinal disorders, heart problems, and many other issues.
Find a Healthy Relationship with Food
It is important that you adjust your relationship with food when you have depression and
are dealing with appetite loss. One thing that is common with people who have mental
illnesses, is that eating disorders are often combined with depression or anxiety. If you
find yourself taking advantage of your loss of appetite by trying to eat as little as
possible, stop this behavior immediately. It is extremely dangerous on a physical and
mental scale. Try to repair your relationship with food by reminding yourself food is fuel
and it is there to nourish your body and mind, it is not meant to be punishment.
Talk to Your Doctor
If it gets to a point where you have tried eating small meals or at least getting in some
green juices for nutrients, and you still struggle with weight loss or other signs of
malnutrition, please do not hesitate to talk to a doctor. You might need an adjustment in
your antidepressant medication, or may need to add other lifestyle changes to help
encourage your appetite to come back.
Not eating enough has bad consequences for your body and your mind, and is
something you can actually help treat. Just try to eat what sounds good and don’t let
yourself encourage unhealthy eating habits or disordered eating at the hands of your
depression.
Side Effects of Anti-Depressants
Antidepressants allow you to cope with your depression, reducing symptoms, and
lowering the effects of those depressive episodes. Unfortunately, they also come with
some side effects. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take them, but you should always
be aware and prepared for side effects of any medication you take.
Common Physical Side Effects
There are physical and mental side effects of antidepressants to be aware of, but let’s
start with the physical ones. These are often easier for people to notice and understand,
since emotional changes can be a little more subtle. When you begin taking
antidepressants, you may notice any or all of the following:
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Nausea and/or vomiting
Blurry vision
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Constipation
Dry mouth
Sexual dysfunction
You might also notice an increase in other physical symptoms of depression for a week
or so after starting the medication.
Common Mental and Emotional Side Effects
The next set of side effects of your antidepressants are mental and emotional ones.
Keep in mind many of these are also similar to depression itself, but side effects are
temporary. They might get a little worse within the first few weeks of taking a new
medication, but then you start feeling much better. It is important to prepare for them
and have a good support system until your antidepressants start kicking in.
Some of these side effects include:
Severe mood swings
Agitation and irritability
Increased anxiety
Fatigue
Insomnia
More Serious Side Effects
There are also some potentially more serious side effects, but these also tend to occur
only shortly after you start taking your medication.
The first is a bigger threat of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, which is often the result of
the changes in your brain, combined with increased anxiety and depression symptoms.
This is temporary and exactly why you need a good support system around.
Other people will have worsened physical symptoms as a result, such as a rapid
heartbeat or sever dizziness to the brink of fainting. If you experience these types of
side effects, talk to your doctor immediately.
It is essential that you not stop taking your antidepressants on a whim. You need to
discuss it with your doctor if you think you need to change the dosage or switch to a
different type of antidepressant. Your body and mind might not be able to handle just
stopping the medication immediately and suddenly.
Depression and Loss of Identity
When you read about depression, you probably learn about the common symptoms,
how people tend to lose their appetite, have trouble focusing, have sleep disturbances,
and often isolate themselves. One thing that is not discussed quite as often is the loss
of identity experienced by people with depression. This can really take over your life and
make it difficult to do even the simplest things.
How Loss of Identity Occurs
Loss of identity with depression often goes hand-in-hand with a detachment that you
might experience. It is the result of your mental illness and how your thoughts are often
distorted. You might feel unloved and like you are worthless, but your friends and loved
ones don’t feel this way. This is often where the loss of identity begins. You lose a lot of
self-confidence when you have depression, which then leads to losing your friends, your
interests, and your motivation to work on yourself. Over time, it creates a lot of identity
issues, since you now feel like you’re just a person with depression and nothing else.
Lack of Pleasure and Excitement
An extremely common symptom of depression is losing interest in things and people.
You may find that hobbies or activities you once enjoy now provide nothing for you, or
that people you used to love being around, don’t bring any joy into your life. If you find it
difficult to be happy and joyful, even about small things, that is not only a big sign of
depression, but it can lead to loss of identity as well. Many people find their identity and
purpose in life by what they do, what they’re good at, and what they enjoy in life.
This
makes it hard to know who you are and why you’re here when you can’t do that.
Memory and Focus Issues
Another way you can quickly lose your sense of identity when you have depression is
when it affects your memory function. If you don’t have all the same memories you once
did, you can feel instantly like a different person. People rely on their memories, good
and bad, to bring them back to who they are and how they have changed. Without
them, it is very difficult to really be who you truly are and learn how to overcome your
past decisions and mistakes.
With the right depression treatment, you can reduce these negative side effects and
start to feel better, both mentally and physically.
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