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My Question is one im not entirely sure about.
I dont know what i should ask, and i dont know how is should word it, but im going to try.
Is it possible for your mental health to deteriate as a result of stress, trauma or just other outside influences? Over the last 5 or 6 months i have gone from bad to worse and i dont know why. The whole thing is just so sudden.And now i dont know what i should do. Its very hard to pretend to be sane any more. Its very hard to even pretend to myself. The more i.... go insane, the more I doubt ym own ability to survive and the more i just want to give up. I mean, why should i love in a world that im not even sure exists?
So yeah, why is this happening? and what can i do? Is there any way i can carry on? Or is it easier to give up?
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Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
You could give up... But seriously... I've tried that before and it SUUCCCKKKKSSSSS!!!
Stress, trauma, outside influences... Yes. All of the aforementioned can severely impact your psyche and not for the better. You could be suffering from mild to severe depression.
But fear not... I've battled depression since the age of thirteen. If I can make it, so can you and anyone else for that matter. The first step is to figure out if you're actually suffering from depression. Do you experience any of the following? (And forgive me if I sound like an antidepressant commercial.)
-Insomnia or irregular sleeping habits. Such as: sleeping too much and still feeling tired. Having difficulty falling asleep at night and/or waking and being unable to fall back asleep.
-Loss of appetite or eating when you aren't hungry.
-Sluggishness... General lack of energy.
-Difficulty concentrating... Do you find it difficult to focus? To follow a train of thought? Do you have a hard time paying attention? When someone speaks to you, or you are reading, do you find it uncommonly difficult to comprehend?
-Persistant anxious thoughts. Do you worry about ridiculous things, more often and frequently than you should?
-Difficulty interacting in social situations? Have you started avoiding people, friends and family? Do you become overly nervous or self-concious in the presence of another person?
-Panic attacks... Racing heart, feeling faint, shaking and/or trembling.
-Loss of excitement and response. Do you fail to feel upset in negative situations? Do you fail to get excited when you should be happy? Loss of motivation? Loss of interest in activities that used to bring you joy? Generally feeling emotionally 'numb.'
-Persistant thoughts of death. Or feeling that life is pointless.
If you have any or all of these symptoms you should probably contact your family physician and schedule an appointment. A regular doctor can diagnose depression and discuss whether or not you would benefit from medication.
In addition... I am not a doctor. The following is only my personal belief... Medication alone does not cure depression. While you may benefit from medication, ultimately... You will have to address your issues and overcome these issues if you really want to be happy.
And here is how I did it...
First, I had to acknowledge that while people had hurt me in the past and had contributed to my depression... I was ultimately responsible for my own happiness.
Second, I had to acknowledge each issue. Then I had to examine each issue to figure out how it was impacting my own behavior negatively. I had to at least formulate a theory concerning why I behaved the way I behaved. Then I had to make concious decisions to change my behavior.
Third, I had to accept myself, the people surrounding me, and the world in general for what it is. A beautiful, ugly, strange and amazing place full of complex people that were both good and bad simultaneously... And just trying to figure out this whole 'life' business just as I was.
Four, I had to appreciate the things and people in my life that I did have... Feel gratitude for what is mine. And realize that no one in this world has it better or easier than I do. To value the here and now. To realize that a different body, more money, or more material things, or just being a different person would never make me happy.
I'm probably skipping some things and leaving some skips out. Honestly... My memory is just plain atrocious. I know this is all ready really long... But if you're interested, here are some tips... Small things that you can do that may help you along...
-Keep a journal.
-Have a hobby.
-Avoid negative people that generally make you feel crummy.
-Play the '50 Things I'm Grateful For,' game. Yeah... It sounds corny, but it works. If you're having trouble staring I'll give you the first one... 'I'm grateful to be alive.'
-Meditate on a daily basis. Some people may think that this sounds like a weird suggestion. But all you're really doing is taking fifteen minutes a day to sit still, be quiet, and clear your mind.
-Eat healthy. (Yeah... This can affect your mood.)
-Drink plenty of water. (64 oz. a day)
-Exercise for at least 20 minutes. (Walking after dinner is a good one.)
-If possible, try to establish a sleep schedule. Try going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning. Give yourself at least eight hours of REAL rest.
-Surround yourself with 'positive' people.
-Play the 'good thoughts' game. Another corny sounding game... But it works for some people. Everyday... When you get up in the morning, tell yourself that you're going to have a good day and then list some reasonable, good things that you would like to happen.
-So something nice, even if it's small, for someone (whether it's someone you know or a random stranger) everyday. For example, if you're going through the drive-thru at McDonald's, pay for the person behind you. Or if you're standing in line, let someone go infront of you. These small, random acts of kindness can actually make you feel good.
And... If you ever need someone to talk to... You know where to find me. ;)
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