When a loved one comes to you one day and admits that he or she suffers from depression, your instincts won’t make you ask why or judge the person at once. You will want to assure him or her first that your support is endless, that you do not doubt their capacity to overcome the mental disorder. Then, you keep your phone charged all the time, just in case your beloved calls at an odd hour due to emergency reasons. You got no plans to abandon him or her, to say the least.
Now, this scenario can become a little twisted if you find yourself in that loved one’s position because of a newly acquired disability. You might try to continue doing the tasks that used to be easy peasy for you, although they are already impossible for you to do. It is effortless to show a tough façade in front of your colleagues, even if you honestly don’t feel like talking to anyone. You can do that and more to avoid making others – as well as yourself – see that you are leaning towards the depression alley.
” In an instant our life is forever changed. When unexpected life events result in substantial physical impairment, the personal results can be devastating,” writes Katie Doppelheuer MA, LGPC.
As admirable as your conviction is, however, you need to accept that you have this mental disorder immediately. That is the key to start the healing process. In case you still can’t, reading the following signs may help you admit to yourself that you indeed have depression.
- Your Jolly Personality Is Gone
A quick indication that the disability affected your disposition in life is the decrease or lack of cheerfulness in the way you move or talk. Whereas you tend to yell “Hello, friend!” 20 meters away from your buddy, you barely greet anyone now. You may smile out of courtesy sometimes, but the typical grin that reaches the eyes is nowhere to be seen.
- You Cannot Focus On Anything
Depressed persons are not always sure about what they are doing as well. The boss may ask you to create copies of an important document, for instance, and then place them in separate folders. Although you go to the Xerox area, your mind flies in an instant, and you already forget how many file reproductions you are supposed to do. The result, of course, is that your work performance suffers.
- You Want To Stay Out Of Loved Ones’ Sight
When you have depression, it may feel better to isolate yourself from the world. Your goal is to let nobody – not even the people who genuinely care for your welfare – to see you go through this ordeal. Thus, you often come up with excuses every time your friends want to meet at a restaurant or your parents and siblings ask if they can visit your place.
- Your Anger Bubbles Over Quickly
The frustration over the unfortunate situation usually consumes disabled individuals like you, to the extent that you are quick to lose your temper. Your loved ones have to walk on eggshells around you all of a sudden, in fear of getting shouted at when they make a tiny noise. You cannot forgive accidental mistakes either, and you take any joke seriously.
“In the face of such challenging individuals, it’s tempting to believe that they are the perpetrators and we are the victims, or that they hold the power with their challenging behavior. Such attitudes, even if justified, are reactive and thus self-weakening,” writes Preston Ni M.S.B.A.
- You Feel Worthless
Lastly, with depression, you never consider yourself worthy of someone’s love and trust. You think that your position at work should go to any colleague whose limbs are all working well. You hardly speak with friends, no matter how much they reach out to you. In your head, these concerned folks contact you because they either pity your condition or are merely doing it for old times’ sake.
“No one is worthless. Our lives are all worth something. But feeling that you’re worthless, again, is a sign of serious depression: melancholia,” writes Edward Shorter Ph.D.
Can you picture yourself acting out some of the examples above? If so, you should accept that you have depression once and for all. It is in your system; it can only go away once you decide to deal with it. There’s no reason to conceal the truth, to be honest.You undoubtedly have family and friends who will always be there to help you overcome the mental disorder. Just let them in – allow them to support you – and everything will be well.