Purpose and Direction
Depression
Who is Attending the Party?
Imagine.... If you were at a function with various well known people: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert Schumann, Ludwig von Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh, and Georgia O'Keefe. Maybe Schumann and Beethoven are at a table conversing about their recent musical conquests, while O'Keefe and Van Gogh may be talking about their art. Roosevelt and Lincoln may be standing to one side discussing various political endeavors. These historical figures also had a much more personal common experience: each one of them battled with depression.
Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to do what you need to feel better. But while overcoming depression isn't quick or easy, it's far from impossible. You can't beat it through sheer willpower, but you do have some control-even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key to depression recovery is to start small and build from there. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of others.
If you are in the throws of depression, or feel that you are deeply depressed, despair is not a good person to befriend. It may be extremely difficult to ignore despair's suggestions and advice, however, please read on to find support and advice from hope and life.
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
Depression may present itself in various forms and inmay respond differently to varying situations. Depression has many faces. It may be the face of a mother with a newborn child. It may be the face of a teenager struggling with self-image, or self-esteem. It may be the man who was fired from his job last week, or the woman who has been long-term unemployed. It could be the child who has gone through the pain of divorce, or the elderly woman who has lost her mobility and agility. Never assume that what you are experiencing is not relevant or that it does not have a place. It does have a place, it is relevant and it is very important.
Depression may be onset by a situation, place or thing, or it may simply be caused by a natural chemical imbalance within a person's own body chemistry. Whatever the reason, or whatever the cause, there is help out there and there is hope.
Hope is found time and time again on the pages of scripture. For example:
'Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the LORD!' Psalm 31:24
'Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why do you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, who is the help of my (sad) countenance, and my God.' Psalm 43:5
'The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.' Lamentations 3:24
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.' Romans 5:13 Coping and Support
Talk to your doctor or therapist about the challenges you are facing, and consider these tips to cope with depression:
It's the Catch-22 of depression recovery. The things that help the most are the things that are most difficult to do. But there's a difference between difficult and impossible.
Help and Support
Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation
If you are in a crisis situation, please dial '911' now.
National Suicide Hotlines
- 1800 784 2433 (1800 SUICIDE)
- 1800 273 8255 (1800 273 TALK)
Who is Attending the Party?
Imagine.... If you were at a function with various well known people: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert Schumann, Ludwig von Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh, and Georgia O'Keefe. Maybe Schumann and Beethoven are at a table conversing about their recent musical conquests, while O'Keefe and Van Gogh may be talking about their art. Roosevelt and Lincoln may be standing to one side discussing various political endeavors. These historical figures also had a much more personal common experience: each one of them battled with depression.
Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to do what you need to feel better. But while overcoming depression isn't quick or easy, it's far from impossible. You can't beat it through sheer willpower, but you do have some control-even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key to depression recovery is to start small and build from there. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of others.
If you are in the throws of depression, or feel that you are deeply depressed, despair is not a good person to befriend. It may be extremely difficult to ignore despair's suggestions and advice, however, please read on to find support and advice from hope and life.
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
- you can't concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
- you feel worthless and hopeless
- you can't sleep enough, or you sleep too much
- you can't control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
- you have lost your appetite or you can't stop eating
- you are constantly irritated or become enraged even at small things - and this is new for you
- you have thoughts that life is not worth living, or have a plan for how you would end it (Seek help immediately if this is the case)
Depression may present itself in various forms and inmay respond differently to varying situations. Depression has many faces. It may be the face of a mother with a newborn child. It may be the face of a teenager struggling with self-image, or self-esteem. It may be the man who was fired from his job last week, or the woman who has been long-term unemployed. It could be the child who has gone through the pain of divorce, or the elderly woman who has lost her mobility and agility. Never assume that what you are experiencing is not relevant or that it does not have a place. It does have a place, it is relevant and it is very important.
Depression may be onset by a situation, place or thing, or it may simply be caused by a natural chemical imbalance within a person's own body chemistry. Whatever the reason, or whatever the cause, there is help out there and there is hope.
Hope is found time and time again on the pages of scripture. For example:
'Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the LORD!' Psalm 31:24
'Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why do you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, who is the help of my (sad) countenance, and my God.' Psalm 43:5
'The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.' Lamentations 3:24
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.' Romans 5:13 Coping and Support
Talk to your doctor or therapist about the challenges you are facing, and consider these tips to cope with depression:
- Do not expect too much from yourself too soon, as this will only accentuate feelings of failure.
- Break up your larger tasks in to smaller ones and complete them as you feel you are able/ready to.
- Consider writing in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.
- Recognize your mood patterns. If you find that mornings are the worst time of day for you, then attempt to shcedule your day so that the demands on your energy level and time are less at that time of day and are more later in the day.
- Don't become isolated. Try to participate in normal activities and get together with family or friends regularly. Go to church, see a movie, talk to others on the phone, go out to eat; there are many activities you can that can help you from becoming isolated.
- Exercise is important, as it can be instituted to help increase those chemicals in the brain that help cognition, such as dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In short, the natural chemical results of exercise can help your body produce the natural chemistry needed in order to help naturally elevate your mood.
- Take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep.
- Join a support group for people with depression so that you can connect to others facing similar challenges.
- Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from depression is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind. Remind yourself that you're responsible for managing your illness and working toward your goals, however, try not to be disappointed if your depression does not recede as rapidly as you would like it to. As with all healing, it may take some time.
- Try not to make important decisions when you're in the depths of depression, as life may appear very different to you once you have walked the road of recovery.
It's the Catch-22 of depression recovery. The things that help the most are the things that are most difficult to do. But there's a difference between difficult and impossible.
Help and Support
Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation
-
Rising Star Motivational Coach
(866) 568-1903
Life and Motivational Coaching Counseling, Guidance, Encouragement
Hope-4-All
(866) 898-9342
Spiritual guidance & counseling. Spiritual growth & strength.
Full Circle Counseling Services LLC
920-982-4242
E8172 Cut-off Road
New London, WI
North Park Clinical Counseling, LLC
920-560-5531
602 Waldoch Drive
Appleton, WI
Changing Habits, LLC
920-570-1904
1030 West Hawes Ave
Appleton, WI
Neurofeedback and Counseling Services
608-279-3849
313 Price Place
Madison, WI
Counseling Center of Lake Geneva
262-249-8828
415 Broad Street
Lake Geneva, WI
Uw Health
(608) 263-7936
621 Science Dr
Madison, WI
Counseling Center
(262) 544-2396
725 American Ave
Waukesha, WI
If you are in a crisis situation, please dial '911' now.
National Suicide Hotlines
- 1800 784 2433 (1800 SUICIDE)
- 1800 273 8255 (1800 273 TALK)