Navigating Depression
Louie Bernstein
LinkedIn Top Voice | INC 500 Winner | Founders: Spending too much time in sales? Feeling Founder overload? I can fix that without breaking the bank. I have been where you are now. Book an introductory call.
I have a close friend with depression.
It’s affected her work, relationships (including a broken marriage), her friendships and of course her self-esteem. It’s also led to alcohol abuse, which makes the situation even more difficult.
Depression is a debilitating disease of the mind and body.
According to the National Institutes of Health there are around 21 million adults in the US with depression or about 8.3% of the population.
That means if you work with at least 8 people, chances are you’re working with someone who has depression. If you have depression, which can often be disguised as burnout, you understand the challenges of just wanting to feel good, and positive, and hopeful.
I understand this isn’t the most inspirational topic I’ve discussed, but I thought it would be helpful for two reasons:
First, the people you work with who have depression may seem down, unengaged, moody and maybe even hostile.
Consider that a cue to take a step back and not jump to conclusions about their attitude or behavior. We never really know what someone else is going through. This is why it’s often better to be nice, polite, or just kind, rather than having to be right in every discussion. Sometimes it’s ok to just nod your head and give them a break.
The second reason I wanted to discuss this, and get your ideas, is how to respond when someone close to you has an illness like depression or alcoholism and won’t seek help?
For me, this is the most difficult part because I can’t control the situation. And I’m someone who tries to control everything. Regardless of my suggestions and encouragement, there’s only one person who can take control and get help. And it’s not me. All I can do is sit back, hope and pray.
When you’re on an airplane about to take off and you’re getting the emergency instructions, you’re told, if the oxygen masks come down and you’re traveling with a child, to put yours on first.
You need to be breathing and in control first in order to take care of a little one.
At times, self-care seems selfish. It’s a natural feeling. But self-care is a survival technique that is essential, regardless of your circumstances. Especially during these times of worrying about someone else. Hard as it is, you can’t let it bring you down.
You have to keep your positive, forward-moving routine: Exercise, eating well, getting 6-to-8 hours of good restful sleep, etc., etc. All the things you do to be the best, most productive and happiest person you can be. You must keep going regardless of any guilt or thoughts of selfishness.
So, here’s your Action Item and Mission, should you decide to accept it: It’s simple. At work, pause before you respond to someone who’s upsetting you. A few minutes to gather your thoughts won’t make any difference and might give the other person a chance to recover and respond first.
If you have depression and are not getting help, know that more than any time in history there are resources out there for you. Even Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer, does TV commercials for online therapy. It’s easy, inexpensive, and you can save yourself, and give comfort to those who love you.
I’m not a doctor or a therapist, but I know what I’m talking about. In the early 2000s I was diagnosed with clinical depression and job burnout. My business started struggling and the financial picture was not good. At the time I had four children who wanted to go to college, and the pressure made the situation really tough. I got lucky, found help and turned things around. But it is a steep, and slippery, mountain to climb.
If you’ve experienced depression or know someone who has it, jump in and let us know how you deal with it, in the comments.
This time I really mean it. Remember, one hand washes the other, and together they get clean. Thank you for watching. Have a really rewarding week, let’s help each other, and I’ll see you next time.
And thank you for watching such a long post. I hope it helps someone.
??If you feel this idea can help others please share it.
About?Louie Bernstein
I'm an?INC 500 Winner?for achieving rapid sales growth over a five-year period without outside investment. I specialize in helping?startups?that need proven sales processes and systems to scale their growth and hit their goals.
If you're looking for someone to help hire, organize, optimize, and train your sales team (and who's been where you are), reach out to me at [email protected] .
And, for hundreds of videos that inspire, motivate, and help you sell more, please check out my YouTube channel.
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#depression #selfcare #therapy
Content Creator, Pro-Age Advocate, Speaker, Auto Enthusiast
6 个月This provides hope. Shining the light and talking about our experiences with depression breaks down the socialtal norm of shaming ourselves.
Doctor in Psychosomatics - Focus on Mindfulness
6 个月Thanks for sharing these valuable thoughts on this important topic! In this bubble of productivity it’s easy to loose sight of one’s (mental) health. Many of my patients are successful in their work, but pushed themselves too long and hard in some way.
President at DataOceans, LLC
6 个月Louie, thank you for this post. Supporting others beyond just the nuts and bolts of a job is so important and rewarding on multiple levels.
Brewing profits with words.
6 个月Very touching.