Depression: Why Can't You Just Get It Together?

Depression:  Sadness.  Feeling Helpless.  Feeling Powerless. 

Depression is a terrible thing.  No, it doesn't mean you are lazy.  It doesn't mean that you have a negative outlook on life because that is what you choose.  It is a medical condition that can be treated and it should be in every case. 

Depression is not something that comes on overnight and it isn't something that goes away just because the person wants it to.  Who would want to feel sad, cry all the time, feel helpless, and find no joy in anything they do? 

If you have never suffered from depression it can be difficult to understand. But it isn't impossible to support someone who is depressed even if you don't understand it.  Offering to help is a step in the right direction.  And asking someone why they don't just snap out of it is not helping!

So, how do you help someone suffering from this disease?  Listen.  Even if you have heard the same thing over and over again.  Encourage.  If the person is not in therapy, why not point out the benefits of going.  Support.  Don't stop talking to this person because they bring you down.  Ask for help. If they are not seeking therapy or just seem to be getting deeper into the depression enlist help of others who may be able to help you.  Love.  No matter how bad the person is feeling, tell them you love them.  You may not think that they hear you, but they do.  Accept.  You don't like to see anyone suffering, but accepting this person as they are is very important.  There is a stigma attached to depression and most people feel alienated because of the disease.  Their sense of reality is distorted. 

Depression can bring on thoughts of suicide.  You should ALWAYS take a suicide threat seriously!  I don't care how many times the person has said it or if you don't think they would ever do it.   Some doctors say that a majority of people who attempt suicide do it to get attention.  I don't know if this is true.  In my opinion, this is a calloused, selfish statement that doesn't help the person who is depressed or the family involved at all.  At some point, the person thought they wanted to die.  Even if it was just a moment of weakness  and they acted rashly without thinking of the long term effects.  At that particular moment, that was what they wanted.  No one, except the person suffering really knows what they were thinking.

There are many causes of depression.  Sometimes a chemical imbalance is to blame.  Sometimes a host of multiple issues cause a person to slip into a depression.  Whatever the reason, treatment can help.

If you are suffering from depression, seek help.  You are not weak.  You are not lazy.  You are not worthless.  No matter what has gone wrong in your life, no matter what you have done.  You can get help and feel better.  You may feel like no one loves you.  But, I am here to tell you that you are loved by God.  Reach out and ask for help.  You are worth it!

Not sure if you need help?  Find Out!

Do Dogs Suffer Depression?

If you would have asked me this question a year ago I would have said NO.  However, when our Doberman, Mikey, went to live with a family member.....Bella became depressed.  She would do anything but eat.

The dog who slept through the night from day one...no longer slept all night.

The dog who was so hyper and vibrant and excited about everything...didn't care about anything at all.

And the dog who played every night...no longer paid attention to a toy.

When I called our vet to tell them about her symptoms they said "Vanessa, she is depressed.  She misses Mikey."

Of course we can't have Bella not feeling well, I thought.  So, we began searching for another dog.  And, a pug was the only option in our minds.

It didn't take us very long to find a little pug named Rosie who needed a home.

And yes, I did go through the list of questions that I recommend for all potential pet owners.  But, to be honest with you, I knew a pug was a good dog for us so it wasn't much of a list!

Did it change Bella?  YES!  And in a good way.  She is now running and playing and acting goofy and sleeping through the night.

I guess she was lonely and sad.  She is a dog that needs a companion because she has always had one.  And although she loves us, it is not the same as having another dog to play with!

Depression: Why Do We Keep Doing This?

I am really going to try to write this article using the passion I feel at this very moment.  So excuse me if I rant.

Why do we keep making people who are depressed feel as though they are doing something WRONG?  I mean really, come on.  Why would anyone WANT to be depressed?  Do we blame people when they get cancer?  Does anyone say, "Hey, maybe you shouldn't have smoked so many cigarettes?"  No, they look at the cancer patient with pity.  Well, why is someone who is depressed treated so badly?

I just heard a conversation that made me sick.  I heard someone I love tell someone else that her "depression is in her head."  Are you kidding me?  Do people work hard to put it in their head?  Do you they desire to be sad?  What do they have to tell themselves to make this a reality? Why would they waste their time? I mean really.

Instead of making accusations why don't you pray?  Ask God to help you with the words you should use.  Ask him to show you how painful it is for the person suffering to hear criticism.

For now I will stop writing, but somebody please tell me...why do we do this to those who are suffering with depression?  It is a disease.  Not a choice.  If you really think about it...well..have you ever heard the saying "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all."  I will leave it at that.

Please Excuse The Dust

Hi!  Thank you for visiting!

I hope you will pardon the dust!  I love writing and scrapbooking, but my website designing leaves a little to be desired!

Feel free to look around and leave comments!  I would love to hear from you! 

I hope you will visit again soon, as the site will be a little less crazy in a few days!



Vanessa