Mental health awareness: getting help
What is depression?
“Depression is a mental health disorder that's characterised by feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and many other psychological and physical symptoms. Depression can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.”
1 in 6 people will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives, mostly short episodes lasting weeks or months. Various treatment options are available, including lifestyle changes, therapies, and medications. Some individuals suffer from chronic depression and are on medication long-term, which can manifest into physical illness.
Unfortunately, disabled people are five times more likely to develop mental health struggles.
If you feel like you are struggling with depression and you don’t know how to seek support and help, here are some tips…
The 1st step is acknowledging that something isn't right.
The 2nd step is going to your Dr and seeing what support is available in your area. You may have to self-refer, which means filling out a form.
Talking with a close friend can help provide you support; they may be able to go to your appointment with you and fill in forms, make calls, etc. All things that can be daunting.
Your Dr may prescribe you a low dosage of antidepressants, just to help lift your mood and stabilise you. This is a temporary measure, and once you feel more like yourself, you can wean yourself off them. Anti-depressants can come with side effects, but they help level the chemicals in your brain to help you think more rationally, wean as depression can twist your reality.
Talking therapies may help you understand your thoughts & get problems off your chest so you feel better. There is a long waiting list, usually with the NHS.
While you are waiting for an appointment, there are things you can do to help support you feel better:
* Write a journal of your feelings.
* Research your illness so you can understand it.
* Look into "shadow work", an alternative self-discovery and healing process.
* Go for a short daily walk, preferably in nature; in trees as they help calm the nervous system.
* Look at improving your diet; eat regularly, healthier and eliminate all the toxic stuff like sugar, gluten and fast food. Reduce your coffee and caffeine intake. Little steps to your lifestyle will help support you in feeling better in yourself.
* Drink more water by drinking an entire glass when you take your medication.
* Discover a new hobby to keep your mind occupied, meet new people and have something for yourself. Return to your hobby if you haven't done it for a while, if you can. If you can't do a hobby, volunteer and do something selfless for others, it will make you feel good.
* Remove toxic people from your life.
* Listen to "Binaural beats" at night while you sleep; they have healing qualities.
Please know that you’re not alone!
The stigma is that people who suffer mentally are "crazy" You’re not, you’re human and have an illness.
If you are struggling, please reach out for help…https://www.mind.org.uk
