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Often
depression can be the result of grief
that has not yet run its course. Whenever
you experience a loss it normal to experience
grief; in fact, we could say it would
be abnormal not to do so. The grief can
be caused by death or the loss of a friendship
or an unexpected move or divorce or a
major disappointment involving a friend
or family member. Recognize, though, that
grief can sometimes overstay its welcome
to the point that it becomes lodged within
the personality, keeping you stuck in
depression. To get an idea if you are
in the midst of such a situation, look
over the following statements to see which
ones describe you fairly frequently.
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Several months
have passed since my loss, and I still
cannot shake the feeling of hopelessness. |
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I tend toward one
extreme or the other in communicating
about my grief: I either talk too
much about it or I hardly discuss
it at all. |
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I've become too
cynical when I hear others talk about
the good things happening in their
lives.I'm not as outgoing or as interested
in others as I used to be. |
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When someone shares
good news with me, I find it hard
to feel really enthusiastic. |
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Because of my losses,
I find it hard to want to go on with
life. |
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My mind dwells
on the unfairness of life. |
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I have felt increasingly
distant from God. Once comforting
spiritual truths now seem empty. |
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I feel very different
in comparison to others, as if my
problems have made me negatively unique. |
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It seems too emotionally
risky to hope that my future will
bring lasting happiness. |
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When friends offer
words of consolation, they just don't
succeed in cheering me up. |
If you
were able to relate to at least five of
the statements, you may be headed toward
some real problems with depression. Recognize
that you are not unusual to feel the pain
of loss, but also recognize that you can
overcome your emotions to the extent that
you do not feel as if you have lost your
usual joy for life. You could probably
benefit by help from an experienced counselor
and you should consult a medical doctor
who is familiar with antidepressant medicines.
You can get beyond your situation if you
won't give up.
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