Depression is a subject we do not want to talk about. Here in Elaine’s Coffee Break we do talk about things like depression and much more. We hit on subjects you may not want to talk about with family and friends much less a doctor. Depression is something real and it is a serious condition with serious consequences if you do not pay attention and do something about it. I am not a doctor and I am not here to diagnose anybody. I do have resources and information you may not come by every day. You never know what you will learn in Elaine’s Coffee Break.
I will be talking about some things to look out for and pay attention to.
Low energy, this can include slow thinking or even your motions being slowed down. Some say it is like living in slow motion. You have a hard time focusing on what you are doing . Simple task may be difficult and frustrating for you to do or want to do. Trouble concentrating and being indecisive can also be signs. Letting things go that you use to enjoy doing and even fun doing. Belonging to a club or going out for dinner may no longer appeal to you. Feeling down and not feeling like going out and doing something once in a while is normal. If you do this constantly ..pay attention. Are you detaching yourself from friends and family? Are you detaching yourself from activities? With drawing from toxic friends and family is one thing. It is quite another to detach yourself from those that care about you. Wanting to sleep all the time is a form of detaching yourself also. Being irritable and agitated for no apparent reason can be signs. A sadness you can not explain, prolong crying spells, crying for no reason, a feeling of worthlessness , feeling of helplessness, losing hope and feeling not good enough to deserve anything. Sometimes just feeling an unjustifiable guilt over issues you have no control over. This can be anything from war’s to poverty to issues that have nothing to do with you. Surprising that there are many people out there that feel this helplessness to control the world around them.
Some people get reckless in things they do. Doing dangerous stunts reckless driving drinking while driving or driving drunk. I am not saying all drunk drivers are depressed. Some people just do things like drive drunk. Even alcohol abuse can be due to depression. Feeling down and needing that “Pick me Up”. Or maybe a person have little or no sex drive any longer. They have completely lost interest in even a hug or a kiss. They lose interest in any kind of general contact. Having frequent headaches or body pain. Headaches being the most common, but back pains, muscle pains, joint pains and even stomach pains or digestive problems. They may not all be related to depression. Maybe they cause the depression. Then there is the problem of prescription drug abuse. People with depression are often prescribed justifiable drugs for pain or sleep. Some of these drugs have side effects of depression. You hear them talk about that on the television commercials every day. Sometimes just having these drugs around are a temptation to abuse. I urge you to call your doctor if you think for a moment that the drugs you are taking are effecting you and your moods in any way. The sooner you get it looked into the better.
The very worse thing about a serious case of depression is suicidal thoughts., A tendency of suicidal thoughts may or may not be noticed by friends and family. If you have these feelings or notice somebody that does or if you just suspect somebody is suicidal there is help. You can call the National Suicidal Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK . Or call your doctor or 911 if it is real bad. Talk to someone about it. The best thing you can do is seek out medical help if you suspect any of the things mentioned here might be a case of depression. Just accepting you may have a problem is the first step in the right direction that may correct it. That first step maybe the hardest for you to take. Knowing and understanding can help a person deal with depression. Knowing that if you try to control your stress and anxiety in your life is also a big step to feeling better. Keeping strong relationships with friends and family that really care and keeping away from people that tend to encourage your depression also helps. Stay positive and build a support system of people. Exercise, eating a well balanced diet, getting enough sleep and finding healthy ways to deal with stress helps.
Being very involved in the Thyroid Disease issue I must mention that Some believe being Hyperthyroid is misdiagnosed as just depression. While Hypothyroid Disease can cause depression. Hyperthyroid is getting to much hormone to your thyroid and Hypothyroid is not getting enough. Depression is a major symptom in a Thyroid Disease. All the things mentioned here are felt by many Thyroid patients. Many of the things mentioned here is not just the depression but just a few of many symptoms of Thyroid Disease. Another good reason to go see your doctor and get tested. It does not take any more time or effort to test for Thyroid Disease.