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Beware, depression lurks in the shadows of grief and loss, waiting to pounce and feed on your weakened state, leading you into the deeper waters of despair and hopelessness.
You have been experiencing a variety of emotions by now: grief, loss, anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, abandonment, and much more. Your sense of worth and belonging was joined in one way or another to the loved one whose loss you are grieving. You feel sad and may have what are called “the blues.” You may have lost interest in things you usually enjoy.
Like many others, you can and often do experience mild depression during stressful times. For many, this passes within a short time. But some find it too overwhelming to deal with and slip into the grips of depression.
Keep in mind that you may not be ready to act on the information below, but it will serve you well when the time is right.
Commonly known as the doldrums or the blues, depression is a feeling of sadness that creeps into your mind, body and spirit — sometimes in overwhelming waves crashing around you. But, other times, depression is a stealth invader creeping forward overtaking you a little at a time — thus, limiting and interfering with your ability to heal from the trauma of loss.
Depressed, you feel a sense of helplessness and/or hopelessness. You want to give up and give in to all the negative aspects of the emotions you are experiencing. You may have had a bout or two of depression in the past. You may know someone who has experienced depression.
Pay attention to the signs and symptoms of depression — these are red flags. You may experience any or all of the following symptoms:
They may identify a problem and either gently tell you, or just outright broadside you, with this unwelcome revelation. You might not like it. You might not believe it. Just trust that they have your best interests at heart. Embrace their loving help.
It reveals your vulnerability at a time when YOU feel that you need to be strong. If you are demonstrating any of the behaviors listed above, how strong are you really? Asking for help is not a sign of weakness!
Depression likes its new home — YOU! Get as much support as you need.
Don’t be fooled, however, as depression is an opportunist lurking, waiting until you slow down. When this happens, depression pounces and digs its claws into your mind/body/spirit.
You will learn how to create an Action Plan to deal with depression and move one step at a time to regain your life again.
Cheryl A. Barrett, RN, MSN, NC-BC, is a retired nurse with 30-plus years in a variety of settings: clinical bedside in ICU, staff educator, academic instructor both didactic and clinical, supervisor, home care education, editorial director of a nursing magazine and is a board certified integrative nurse coach.
In 2018 she published Good Grief: Strategies for Building Resilience and Supporting Transformation, inspired by the death of her husband. She won the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year, 2018 in the category of Palliative Care and Hospice for her book. She is currently creating a companion workbook for those experiencing grief and loss.
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