Merry Christmas to Those Who Celebrate
Family may be gathering today for Christmas, and that may be a true trial for some who suffer with depression (and many who don't!).
Remember a few things to stay stable:
You only owe yourself mental health, not anyone else.
You're trying really hard and that counts for a lot.
Family may love you but they also may not understand depression.
You cannot make someone understand depression.
You are OK just as you are.
The holiday is not about explaining your depression.
This, too, shall pass.
You've got this!
Great Books for Learning About Depression
12 Books That Shine a Light on Depression from healthline.com
DISCLAIMER: I have not read all of these (though I will), and I have changed the order from the original article.
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, Andrew Solomon - I moved this to the first spot because Solomon is perhaps the most eloquent author I've ever read.
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, David D. Burns, M.D. - This book has helped me more than any other resource.
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Daniel G. Amen, M.D. - another author whose breakthrough work I greatly admire.
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, John J. Ratey, MD with Eric Hagerman - Ratey co-authored Driven to Distraction, a classic ADD resource.
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs, Stephen Ilardi, PdD
The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness, Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time, by Alex Korb, PhD
The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking, Oliver Burkeman
Depression-Free, Naturally: 7 Weeks to Eliminating Anxiety, Despair, Fatigue, and Anger from Your Life, Joan Mathews Larson, PdD
Undoing Depression: What Therapy Doesn’t Teach You and Medication Can’t Give You, Richard O’Connor, PhD
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, Jon Zabat-Zinn
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, Jenny Lawson
The 12 Days of Christmas
On the 12th Day of Christmas Depression Gave to Me:
12 Fights with Loved Ones
11 Bouts of Guilt
10 Moments of Exhaustion
9 Outbursts of Anger
8 Feelings of Inadequacy
7 Overwhelming Problems
6 Resentments at Being Told the Meaning of the Season
5 Crying Jags
4 Panic Attacks
3 Overdrafts
Two Broken Toes
And the Exasperation of Decorating the Tree.
Ren
Depression is a beast.
BUT you don't have to let it win. You are strong enough to survive.
One of the hottest "new" musical artists is a man who has struggled with severe physical and mental illness for well over a decade. And, against all odds, he continues struggling and surviving and winning and inspiring others to keep going.
Ren Gill -- or just Ren to his millions of fans -- is a survivor. Like Harry Potter, he keeps on being "the boy who lived". He lives, he fights his demons -- physical, mental and emotional demons -- he gets stronger, he slips, he gets back up.
Here's one of his songs -- depression -- that may seem "depressing" but to me always feels hopeful, because I know that pain and fear. I know those tears. And I know Ren gets back up EVERY SINGLE TIME and when he triumphs over his demons it is extraordinary! And so I believe I can do that, too.
And then here is the anthem -- Hi Ren -- as enlightening and inspiring as it is entertaining.
In spite of the countless days when all seems bleak, the world is full of glorious things that bring me hope every single day. Like Ren.
The boy who lived, who keeps going, who triumphs, who inspires.
Social Isolation
Are you a hermit by nature? Do you like being alone? Me, too!
Coupled with depression that loner tendency can morph into withdrawal.
Start re-thinking social isolation, and make an effort to socialize just a little bit more. Now that COVID has eased substantially, make sure you're vaccinated and venture out into the world!
Volunteer for a couple of hours, go out after work with co-workers, or simply reach out to a friend.
You don't need to change your basic character, but shifting away from social isolation may ease depression a bit.
Nature Heals
Spend time in nature as often as possible. Garden or take a walk, every day if you can. If all you can manage is sitting on your porch or patio, or even at an open window, that's where you start.
Nature may help ease depression and it will certainly improve your quality of life.
Are You Eligible for Disability Benefits due to Depression?
If you cannot work full time because of depression – simply cannot face it – consider applying for disability benefits.
Not having any money and going further into debt does not help anyone climb out of depression.
Can you get benefits? Can you get them for a temporary time? Can you get them if you are doing any work for money? How hard is it to get benefits?
It can be very difficult but it also may be more than worth it!
Depression and anxiety can make applying hard, so get help to navigate the paperwork and regulations – an attorney is good, or any friend or relative with patience. Your insurance company may also be able to assign you an ally to help with the process.
HERE is the official Social Security Disability for Depression SSA website.
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