Depression. Three things that you perhaps don't know about it...
It's okay not to be okay...
There are many people that go through days where they feel like no one understands them. And believe it or not, there are those who seem all put together but also have those days.
Whether or not that is something that eases your mind, it is a fact that with life, everyone can feel alone or depressed at some point or another.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. As a community we need to get out of that mindset that shuns depression and mental health matters.
This is why when we found these points put forth by Clinical Psychologist Dr Julie Smith, we wanted to share them with you.
Not only does she calm the mind with these three things, she also allows us to feel less alone as a community of people who are allowed to experience our feelings wholly.
1. You don't need a reason to be depressed
Now this one has some depth to it. So often, people assume that depression is linked to trauma or something that is upsetting. But the root behind depression is much more varied and complex than that.
2. Depression is not just an increase in sadness
Sometimes it is about the absence of other emotions like joy, excitement, and hope. That is sort of mind blowing, because so often we assume the picture of depression to be sad and hopeless...
3. Depression doesn't just switch off
It is a gradual experience and includes both bad and good days. So don't be so hard on yourself if you have more bad ones than good. It doesn't mean that you are not progressing.
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If you resonated with any of the above and have suffered with depression, we hope it helped you feel a sense of hope.
Gone are the days where you don't have support. Remember that what you may be feeling, someone else out there has felt or is feeling too.
You are not alone in this, if you need to speak to someone, you can contact The South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
Here is the contact information: 0800 567 567 or you could check out their website to read up more here.
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