Exploring the fabric of our stories one character at a time.

Home Depression (Page 4)

Depression

Showing: 31 - 40 of 57 Articles
Updated on

The ghosts of depression in us all

I want you to think about your friends, coworkers, family, all of the people you walk past every day at the store. See those people? It is very possible at least one of you is suffering from depression. Did you know that 8.4% United States adults have been diagnosed with depression (NIMH, 2020)? Now think about all of those that have depression and do not get treated or diagnosed. Depression and mental health disorders are not like physical illnesses that can be visible. Depression episodes I have been working through several areas of my life all at the same time. …

Updated on

Are you who you want to be?

I have been sitting here thinking about my life and who I am. Since I started thinking about the adjectives that would describe me for my journal, it has me really thinking about how I see myself. I know what my past has shown me. What events I had been faced with and forced to overcome, even when I was too young to understand why life was the way it was. Like when I was a teenager going through junior high school and having kids tease me and boys “pretend” to like me. Or in high school when I had …

Updated on

Too much in life making you numb

You ever get those days that it feels like everything is coming down on you? So much going on at work, too much at school, overwhelming family life, and then add relationships on top of all of that. Too many thoughts. Way too many feelings. And all you can do is take one step in front of the other like a robot through your life. You suddenly feel numb. Not really sad, or happy, or even…well anything. Just a robot I’ve had too many robotic days in my life. Each day blended into the other. Thoughts in my head swarmed …

Updated on

Can you speak through music

Do you have a friend or loved one that is shutting down from the world, starting to show signs of depression? When you ask them if there is anything wrong or if they are okay, you barely get any answer or just, “I’m fine”? Almost like there are too many emotions running through that they begin to get numb to the outside world. You want to help them, but don’t know where to start. Because you know and can plainly see, they are definitely not fine. Use Music Here is a suggestion, use music. Think about it. How many times …

Updated on

How do you like to be comforted?

I have been talking about reaching out to your loved ones and making sure they know you care. Even discussed about ways to care for yourself. But how about ways to comfort those that are struggling? What is comfort and how do you comfort your friends? Comforting a friend Your best friend comes to you crying because her boyfriend just broke up with her while degrading her. How would you handle a situation like this? Let me tell you how I would. (This is just how I would. I am not implying this is the best or only way to …

Updated on

How can you help a friend if you hurt?

Lately I have had a heavy load of emotions in my life. Like a rollercoaster going through endless loops. One minute I am happy or relaxed, then suddenly I am fighting depression, sadness, and hurt. I have a few people in my life that I can reach out to, but there is always one thought that tends to stop me. “I don’t want to bother them with my problems.” There is something else that happens. My friends have their own lives and ups and downs. They know they can come to me at any time. But they don’t always reach …

Updated on

Sticks and stones (and words) can hurt us

I have been standing here at my son’s school waiting for him to come out, watching all of these other families and how they interact with each other. I have been watching the parent’s overall look compared to their child’s appearance. It got me thinking about my son and childhood in general. As a parent, am I helping my child, or are my words hurting his later years too? Have you ever said or heard, “comb your hair, it looks like a mess?” Here’s another one, “tuck your shirt in so you don’t look like a slob.” And one I …

Updated on

What if…I overcome my doubt

Two words that have the opportunity to bring heartache, stress, and despair. Just two small words that can also bring new ideas, change, and hope. How can these two words be so powerful? You are faced with a decision that is too big to make on a whim, when your friend says, “yeah, but what if…” Those words break open a new way of thinking. And sometimes, that way of thinking can lead to uncertainty. DOUBT Your boss comes up to you with a new project that will be presented in front of the owners of the company. They asked …

Updated on

Are you getting too comfortable with comfort food?

A container of ice cream with a big spoon, a helping of chocolate fudge cake, or gooey cheese pizza full of your favorite toppings. How about a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or a tumbler of your favorite alcoholic drink? A plate of cheesy mac n’ cheese, a bowl full of spicy wings, or a platter of seafood placed in front of you. Do I have your mouth watering yet? How does all of these foods and drinks make you feel? How comfortable are you really when you indulge in comfort food? What is comfort food You have …

Updated on

The beginning of the end of this chapter

The summer, beach weather is coming to an end. The holidays are approaching with all the rich food and celebrations. There are points throughout the year that seem to push us to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Am I happy?” Personal image, internal emotions, support from loved ones, and the desire to care are put on display. A deep look into our mind, body, and soul reflected and stripped bare. At the beginning At the beginning of the year, we believe that we need to be better than we were the prior year. It is no wonder …