Healing
Some ways that depression can manifest itself
By Chaplain Dan Langerock
Six million older Americans suffer from depression in one form or another. However, only ten percent are treated because symptoms often look like something else like the effects of medication or multiple illnesses. Depression can also make it harder to recover from an illness and sometimes lead to death because the person is so far down, they may lose their will to fight what is going on in their lives medically. (WebMd.com)
We often have a preset iimage of what depression should look like, but it has many facets and ways it can show itself in our lives, so we must be aware of these as we traverse our existence. Let’s explore together some of the more prevalent, and perhaps surprising, manifestations:
Shopping Isn’t shopping a good thing? It supplies what you need. Have you ever felt down and needed to get out of the house, then ended up at the mall? Maybe you bought some new clothes and this made you feel better However, some people do this on a compulsive level and shop all the time because of depression in their lives. They probably will never use all the things they have bought or give them to those in need. The bills keep piling up and so does the furniture and other items they buy until the amount is unmanageable..
Eating Something is amiss in your life, so you consult the refrigerator for something to eat, and this gets to be a habit when you are down. Or, instead of eating regular meals you may just snack all day while cooking or watching TV. This will not give you the proper nutrients you need, and if you are diabetic this could be disastrous.
Grief A loved one or friend has passed away or moved to a new city where you cannot visit as often. A grandchild that was special to you doesn’t come over as much as before, a sibling has married, and any other number of reasons can spark grief in your life. One way to describe this phenomenon is “separation anxiety”, when someone who has meant a lot to us is not coming over as often or separated in some manner where we cannot have that closeness we desire anymore. When children marry it is also called “empty-nest syndrome”. Whatever the reason is, we must adjust to a loss and that is not easy to accomplish.
Older people often get depressed when their friends die and they feel so abandoned and alone now. Have you felt this way sometime in your life? If new friends are not made by the person, the depression can get deeper and lead to serious consequences and behaviors. Grieving is a normal part of life for it is our way of coping with losses . If you find yourself in this sort of depression, get help professionally if it should carry on too long.
Too much at once Someone you know may have had some devastating occurences in their lives: illnesses, hospital stays, job loss, a loved one has passed away. These are bad enough by themselves, but when they come in bunches it is just too much. People I talk to as a chaplain have had three illnesses in two years or less and their body cannot handle it. The question is often asked, “Why is this happening to me?”
Anger This is a hard one to handle especially when there are other factors adding to the frustration a person feels. It can play out in abuse of others, starting of destructive habits, a change of marital status, and many others. Try to find out within yourself why you are so angry and at what, if you don’t know. Then go down the list and deal with the causes.
If there is unforgiveness in the picture, work on forgiving that person or situation even if the other person doesn’t accept your forgiveness. Your part as far as God is concerned is to make the effort to forgive. It is His job to work on that other person or situation. You will never find the peace you are looking for unless this is important to you. No matter how terrible the problem is, God’s power and peace are far greater if you will access them.
Be aware of what is happening in your life so you can get help when you need it, before it becomes too overwhelming. There are many resources out there for you to get that help when you need it, but you must be aware of what is happening in your life so you can differentiate between effects of illnesses and other stressors.
If you have a persistent symptom, don’t just pass it off thinking it will go away on its own. Consult your physician or other professional so you can get the help you need. Many times we can work things out on our own, but there are times when we need professional help to surmount our difficulties.
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