Depression Matters - You Matter
Danielle Foronda
Digital Marketing Designer | Copywriter | Content Writer | I design promotional material and copywriting for business owners in the services industry, with my DM Rescue System!
Are you okay?
We are dealing with a world that has so many disasters, wars, hateful crimes, abuse, and economic crises, and many are dealing with unjust situations.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world.
If you are experiencing depression or self-harming thoughts, you should seek help, and discuss it with a medical professional.
Signs and symptoms
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression can vary from person to person.?
Whether you are dealing with emotions brought to you from an outside source, or internal battles, it is significant that you understand you are still valuable.
Some possible signs to look out for are:
It is possible to experience some or all of the symptoms at any given time.
Seek medical help immediately if these symptoms have been persistent for more than two weeks.
Statistics
North America has one of the highest rates of depression in the world.?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health , it’s estimated that in the U.S. alone, 8.3% of adults 18 years or older are affected by episodes of depression.?
However, NAMI.org states that 22.8% of American adults 18 years and older experience some form of mental illness, and 16.5% of minors ages 6-17 experience some form of mental illness.
Depression does not know age, gender, ethnicity, or race. Anyone, anywhere, can develop depression.?
Many people who develop symptoms of depression start to feel guilty, damaged, or weak. It is important to know that seeking help does not make you weak or damaged, and you should not feel guilty for dealing with depressive thoughts.
Most people who seek help for their depression get better.?
Depression in men
There are over 6 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with depression and over 3 million men who have been diagnosed with other forms of mental illness.
79% of suicide victims are male.?
In addition to the common symptoms of depression, men may exude symptoms of:
Men are commonly under-diagnosed because they have a hard time expressing themselves, finding the right words, or are afraid that others will view them as weak or label them as “crazy”.
Talking about your depression does not make you weak in any way - talking about your struggles often causes others to admire you, even viewing you as a brave person. You can even develop better friendships because now people can understand or relate to you better.
Depression in women
Statistics show that 10.3% of women are diagnosed with major depression, that is roughly twice as many women are diagnosed with depression compared to men who are diagnosed.?
Many factors can contribute to depression in women, in addition to the most common causes, such as:
Although some feelings of depression during fluctuating hormones can be normal, it is important to monitor how you are feeling during the monthly cycle.?
Try tracking how you are feeling, and if you see a pattern, you are more likely to be experiencing PMS or hormonal-related depression.
However, if you are experiencing ongoing depression for at least two weeks, you should consult a doctor.
Depression in children
Depression in children is also becoming a more and more common occurrence.
If you are noticing your child having these symptoms more often, then it is time to start having meaningful conversations with them to see how they are feeling:
If you suspect your child is dealing with depression, schedule a visit with their doctor or other healthcare professional.
It is critical to have meaningful conversations with your children, really listening to their responses - all while showing patience, because kids often do not know how to explain what or how they are feeling.
They may start to cry because they can’t find the words, and they may even develop an attitude when talking to you - but it is essential to stay calm and understand it isn’t “them” having an attitude, it’s their brains trying to express how they feel.
If they start closing up, and not wanting to talk to you, do not get upset, but gently tell them that you love them and whenever they want to talk, that you will be there.
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If your child comes to you while you are busy, do not directly say “Not now, I'm busy.” without providing clear context.?
Instead, try saying, “I want to hear what you have to say, so let me finish this real quick, so I can give you 100% of my attention.”
Helpful tips
Depression can come on at any time and anywhere, these tips may be of help to ease some symptoms to get you through your day easier:
The hardest part is getting up and doing it - but once you do, you will notice positive changes in your emotional state.
Do not feel guilty for having to take care of your mental health, you are worth it.
Resources
If you or a loved one are looking for more information on depression or mental illness, you can check out these sites:
Do not be afraid to seek help, you have people that love you and want the best for you. You are not alone, connect with others and share experiences, you will learn just how valuable these friendships can be when you are feeling low.
Staying depressed is hard…
Opening up and seeking help can also feel hard - however, seeking help provides a pathway to healing.
How to handle someone else with depression
When dealing with someone who is depressed, it can be hard to relate to them at times. It is very important to be patient, and kind to them.
Avoid saying things like:
These types of comments are not helpful - they feed the depression more.
The depressed one is already most likely feeling a sense of guilt for having these emotions, and those sayings validate the irrational thoughts in their heads, keeping them in a depressed mind frame….
Instead, say things that lets them know they are loved and valued, like:
Depression is a mental illness, not a choice. It can feel debilitating and exhausting. It takes all the physical energy out of someone because the brain is using it all up.
However, do not give up on your loved one. They need you now more than ever. They need your love, support, and most of all patience.
Invite them out of the house, and invite them often… They might say no most of the time, but your persistence is still valuable to them, and it does help their mental state because they see that you value them enough to keep on showing up for them.
Knowing you value them, might be just the thing that keeps them alive another day.
In addition, make sure you are keeping up with your mental health, make sure you are also keeping up with your support system.
In conclusion?
Make sure to recognize the signs, and seek help if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the signs. Talk to someone about how you are feeling. Do not feel guilty or ashamed for having negative thoughts or depression. Know that you are not alone.
References
Major Depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
Mental health by the numbers | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). https://www.nami.org/mhstats
Men’s Mental Health | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/mens-mental-health#:~:text=Over%206%20million%20men%20suffer,agoraphobia%2C%20or%20any%20other%20phobia.
What is Depression? | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression
Childhood Depression: What Parents Need to Know (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/understanding-depression.html
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Hi! My name is Danielle! I own Write On!
I am a copywriter who helps business owners create captivating, and engaging content, with my copy that converts! I have been training under an industry-leading copywriter, I have a 3.91 GPA and multiple Honors! I give my best in all the work I do! I am your biggest hype girl, and I want to see you succeed! If you want to contact me, here is my linktree !
Direct response email copywriter?? specializing in writing sales emails /email sequences. ?? Helping Relationship Coaches ??Get 5-30 extra sales/mo ??My emails are illustrative and infused with empathy.
6 个月great
Content Marketing at Kiavi | 7x LinkedIn Top Voice | Uncovering Unique Tech Solutions | EQ/EI Focused
6 个月This is a strong message, and a reminder many need. Thank you, Danielle
Digital Marketing Designer | Copywriter | Content Writer | I design promotional material and copywriting for business owners in the services industry, with my DM Rescue System!
7 个月You are valued ??