Do you or anyone you know have been dealing with depression? Depression is very common in the difficult seasons. If you or a friend has had feelings of sadness for extended periods at a time, then this could be more than typical sadness, it could be depression.
To begin, what is depression and how do you know if you have it? It is hard to say since it affects everyone differently. There are some basic similarities though. It can come on subtly or with an overwhelming trauma. It can even come on with a memory.
Depression can come on and you may not even notice it. Because it comes on slowly, little by little it may have taken it’s toll with you unaware. It is similar to the way we don’t notice how much our kids have grown but a distant relative who doesn’t see the child everyday notices the growth spurt significantly. So is depression unnoticed by the person experiencing it. You see it everyday yet it goes by unnoticed.
It can start with some anxiety, fear, hurt, or sadness and then move to seasons of sadness or “blue” feelings. Then it often gradually becomes real depression and can develop into severe major depression. Before you know it you’re not sleeping well, your eating habits are changing, you feel numb, you are gaining or losing weight, you are having trouble concentrating, you are avoiding certain people or events, and beginning to isolate yourself.
Simple tasks become hard to do. Like, opening the mail, bill paying, or answering the phone. Here are some signs of depression that you may recognize.
You may wonder if you are just sad or truly experiencing depression. Depression can be different for everyone but there are some similarities. 1. You are consistently sad, irritable and angry. 2. You can not laugh or have fun. Life seems dull and boring. 3. You feel like you don’t fit in and have nothing to offer. 4. You lose sleep or sleep all day. 5. You hurt and feel achy for no reason. 6. You cry a lot. 7. Your weight fluctuates one way or another. 8. Focusing on tasks is hard if not impossible. 9. You are hopeless and see no way out. 10. You want to escape. If you are thinking of hurting yourself or others or want to escape there are some things you can do to help yourself heal. If the thoughts are constant, you need to get help from someone as soon as possible. It may seem impossible, but fight those feelings of defeat and find a pastor or counselor who help people all the time in this capacity. They are trained to know what to say and will keep your conversations in the strictest confidentiality. Their professional opinion will help tremendously.

Talking to someone about your feelings of depression always helps. Talking to a counselor or a pastor can be the best step you can take to start feeling good again. Although it may seem like it is hopeless, it is not.
Start journaling. This is one you can do for free. Honestly write down your thoughts and do not edit your thoughts to make them sound better than they are! If you are scared someone might read your most intimate thoughts, read them in the morning then flush them if you want to hide your words. But, the main thing is to start dumping out of your head all your thoughts onto paper. There is something very therapeutic about writing down your thoughts. What most people say is that writing it down was the first time they realized exactly what was going on in their mind. It forces you to be honest and say what is really bothering you. It is also a way to be compassionate toward yourself and give some credit to the feelings that are hurting you so deeply.
Identify your thoughts, emotions, and actions. This is a simple exercise used in counseling. This is where you take one issue that is bothering you and break it down into 4 categories. You must keep it to one issue.
To start, for example, describe the problem. I am angry with my husband because he is late for dinner.
Second, write about what happened according to you. For instance, “if he loved you so much then why was he late for this very special dinner?”
Third, write down your true emotions about the issue. I am fearful, I am sad, I am lonely because…etc.
Fourth, try to describe what action you are taking given the situation, your thoughts, and your emotions. For example, are you escaping, isolating, raging, throwing things, feeling sorry for yourself, blaming others for your misery, mad at someone or God, running away, avoiding the conflict, etc.? If you will write all this down, you will be amazed with how much insight and honesty you will be aware of.
Some who wanted to end their life became hopeful when they could see their thoughts clearly and understood the depression. They found there was hope and that their feelings were only temporary and could be dealt with.
You have heard that time heals but only if you are healing. Time can make your heart harder and you become more and more withdrawn and indifferent. Take the challenge to help your healing grow stronger.
PS. If your depression has gotten to the point where you are having thoughts of ending your life, please call 911 and get some help immediately. Or call a counselor, who will know how to help.
If you need Counseling on depressionfeel free to go to Chuck Sugar.com If you needfree worksheets that help that can help.