FINDING YOUR JOY

The POWER OF THE MIND

Finding Your Happiness THROUGH DEPRESSION

Contributing Writer: Lizette Verdugo

---

We have all been there, days where we feel "down in the dumps", or sad maybe even a bit moody, but we usually pick ourselves up after a while. However, there is another power that can keep our mood from changing, and that power is Depression. I have struggled with depression for about 10 years; I can honestly tell you that it is a very dark and lonely place to be emotionally and mentally. I have a happy marriage, three beautiful children, and a career envied by most, but there was a dark cloud hovering over my happy existence. I can remember the very moment I knew that I was lost in depression, it was my son's 18th birthday, the day was beautiful, the party was set for our guests and in an instant, my life began to spiral out of control. My emotions shifted so fast that I did not have time to react to bring myself back to the reality of that moment of celebration, and I wanted desperately to retreat to some dark corner. When I finally snapped out of it, it took every bit of strength I had not to cry throughout the celebration, I shouted obscenities at my husband for failing to pick up the birthday cake I ordered on time, and I didn't really interact with the guests all that much.

Image courtesy of Unsplash | Photographer: @thatbaptista

My husband suggested that perhaps I was stressed due to our son turning 18 and leaving for college soon, but deep in my heart, I knew that something was wrong with me internally. I knew that I could not find the answer on my own and that I would need clinical help if I were going to get better. I got into contact with a therapist through my healthcare provider, took a deep breath, and made an appointment. I spoke in detail about my behaviors over the previous 6 months, she gently touched my hand to soothe me and said a word that would change the course of my perfect little life, depression. I left her office in disbelief, I mean sure everyone feels sad sometimes, but these feelings usually pass after a few days. However, mine did not, and I began to wonder how I became so depressed, I investigated my career, marriage, parenting, and ultimately myself, but without a clear answer. 

When you have depression, you have trouble with daily life for weeks at a time. I was fortunate in that I was diagnosed as having minor depression. I would have bouts of clarity, happiness, and contentment, but then at other times, I would be moody, critical, and evasive. I researched depression for months, and what I found is depression is a serious illness that needs treatment. The longer you go without being diagnosed the worst your depression can become.

I was unaware that there are different forms of depression, which are:

• Major depression—severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person's lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes.

• Dysthymic disorder, or dysthymia—depressive symptoms that last a long time (2 years or longer) but are less severe than those of major depression.

• Minor depression—similar to major depression and dysthymia, but symptoms are less severe and may not last as long.

According to the CDC "Several factors, or a combination of factors, may contribute to depression. 'Genes—people with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop it than those whose families do not have the illness. Brain chemistry—people with depression have different brain chemistry than those without the illness. Stress—loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger depression.

The CDC goes on to further conclude that "women are twice as likely to have depression, and symptoms of depression, as men of the same age. 12% of all women in the United States will experience symptoms of clinical depression at some point in their lives. Approximately one in ten women experience symptoms of depression in the weeks after having a baby known as Postpartum Depression. As women, we have the most to lose when it comes to depression (no offense men), so it is especially important that we seek treatment when we notice symptoms.

Image courtesy of Unsplash | Photographer: @nofilter_noglory

Feeling sad or "empty", feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty, loss of interest in favorite activities, feeling very tired, not being able to concentrate or remember details, not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much, overeating, or not wanting to eat at all, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, and aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems. 

I have been treating my depression holistically for the past 13 years, and I can say that I am the happiest I have been in a while, although I still have moments when my depression reemerges. My piece of advice is to talk to someone, friend, co-worker, partner, therapist, spiritual leader (whatever faith you are), or anyone that can help you, because the worst thing that you can do is suffer in silence. If you have been diagnosed with depression talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to your care because what works for some does not work for all.

---

IMAGES COURTESY OF UNSPLASH | PHOTOGRAPHERS: BAPTISTA IME JAMES & TIM GOEDHART

Images are used for illustration purposes only.

Photographers and their affiliates are not an endorsement of DHMICON.COM or its articles, blog, and article information

Deborah Polchek

Managing Editor

Lizette Verdugo

Contributing writer

INFORMATION PROVIDED COURTESY OF:

"CDC Data & Statistics | Feature: An Estimated 1 in 10 U.S. Adults Report Depression." (n.d.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"CDC Media Relations: Atlas Reveals New Mortality Patterns for the United States. 1997. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.