Is It Getting Dark in Here?

Source: nik-shuliahin/Unsplash

I learned about depression during nursing training, and even cared for depressed patients, but until I experienced its effects myself, I honestly didn’t understand what a desperate, desolate place it can be. This article comes from a nurse who has lived it.

Why is Depression Challenging to Diagnose?

Depression is a mood disorder that affects many stroke survivors and countless others. It’s a complex condition with both mental and physical symptoms. Depression may look very different from person to person and is therefore very challenging to diagnose. While people experience depression differently, there are several common symptoms, ranging from minor to serious.

If you’ve been experiencing low mood, loss of interest in activities or relationships, and sleep issues for more than two weeks, this may be depression. You may experience a sense of hopelessness that makes it difficult to see any good in your life.

It’s much more than feeling sad occasionally. Depression is an overwhelming sense of despair, persistent sadness, and numbness that just won’t go away. You may lose interest or pleasure in activities you previously enjoyed, saying, “What’s the point?” You may lack the energy or desire to complete tasks.

Depression can cause feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Low self-esteem or self-hate may be experienced along with feelings of hopelessness. “It doesn’t matter what I do; nothing is going to make this better.”

You may lose your desire for sex. Guilt can result, especially when your partner doesn’t understand the reason you no longer desire intimacy.

Source: klara_kulikova/Unsplash

Depression can cause physical symptoms (that mimic other health conditions), such as low energy and fatigue regardless of how much sleep you get, and interference with sleep patterns; you may experience insomnia or sleep too much. Chronic fatigue is common among stroke survivors.

Depression can cause a decrease in pain tolerance. Because many stroke survivors deal with chronic pain, this can be another symptom that is tricky to differentiate. In some instances, taking an antidepressant may not only help with depression, but improve pain.

Depression can hinder focus and cause brain fog, impairing your ability to think straight, affecting your short-term memory, and causing difficulties to make simple decisions (all common following stroke).

Depression may cause changes in your eating habits and weight. You may find your appetite increases or you lose your desire for food, resulting in weight change. In my case, I lost weight. I didn’t have the energy or desire to eat.

Depression is exhausting. Your tolerance for others can be affected and you may lash out unexpectedly at loved ones. Unfortunately, guilt usually follows shortly after.

If you experience thoughts about not wanting to live anymore, this is extremely serious and means it is time to seek professional help.

You may feel hesitant or ashamed to admit or reach out for help. From my personal experience, this can have serious, detrimental results. I’m not sure if I was in a state of denial or didn’t realize how ill I was as I continued to spiral downward. I told myself, “You are strong and don’t need help. You can beat this.” If my husband hadn’t been home one fateful night, I might not be here today.

It’s important to also understand and accept that if you start receiving professional help, things may not improve immediately. We are all different and react differently to treatments, so it may take time and trial and error to find a treatment plan that works for you. Your treatment plan may require some tweaking periodically.

Source: benjamin_child/Unsplash

Strategies for Coping with Depression

• Don’t dwell on the past. Only look back to see how far you’ve come.
• Don’t worry about the future. Nothing ever changed from worry. Take one day at a time.
• Develop a routine and plan out your day to promote a greater chance of success and a sense of control.
• Write a list of goals. Goals provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment with each goal met.
• Acknowledge your feelings. It’s impossible to deal with feelings that aren’t first acknowledged.
• Be kind to yourself. Do something each day that you enjoy.
• Focus on what you’ve accomplished and what you’re doing right. So often we’re our own worst critics and dwell on the negative versus the positive.
• Be more aware of your thoughts, especially negative ones. This gives you a chance to break the cycle. When depressing thoughts start, find a diversion. Listen to music, read a book, write down things you’re grateful for—anything to stop your focus on negative thoughts.
• Journal your thoughts and feelings to help you better understand them.
• Fuel your body with healthy foods.
• Exercise to increase the mood-boosting chemicals in the brain.
• Ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness. Asking for help takes a lot of strength.
• Focus on what you’re doing right now. Live in the moment. Don’t allow your thoughts to control you.
• Write down at least five things that you did well at the end of each day. They don’t need to be major accomplishments.
• Reach out to people you trust to express your feelings and receive support. Try not to isolate yourself.
• Don’t worry about what others think. People will judge. Just be you.
• Get enough sleep. Not always easy, but a well-rested mind copes better.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Meditation helps take the focus away from your situation. There are apps available, as well as online videos to guide you.

Depression Essential Reads

Are We Teaching Youngsters How to Be Depressed?

5 Reasons Why Depression Looks Different in Everyone

Depression doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With the proper medical interventions and coping strategies, it’s possible to go on and live a rich, fulfilling life.