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Let's talk about Depression.  Not that fleeting moment of feeling sad or lonely, but the deep agony of losing all joy in your life.

Depression is common world-wide.  It effects more women than men, but that's only those who are diagnosed or seek treatment.  In our patriarchal society, too many men were raised to hide their emotions and feelings, to "be a man".

Symptoms of depression vary, but here are a few :

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things that you normally enjoy.
2. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
3. Feeling down, hopeless.
4. Lack of energy or feeling tired.
5. Feeling bad or down on yourself - that you're a failure, that you feel guilty.
6. Poor appetite, overeating, or more than a 5% weight change in a month that is unintentional.
7. Difficulty in making decisions or concentration.
8. Thoughts that you should hurt yourself, or that you would be better off dead.

Quotes from psycom.net

"What is depression like?  It's like drowning, except everyone around you is breathing"

"When you're depressed you don't control your thoughts, your thoughts control you.  I wish  people understood that."

"Depression is feeling like you've lost something but having no clue when or where you last had it.  Then one day you realize what you lost is yourself."

"Depression is the constant feeling of being numb.  Being numb to emotions, being numb to life.  You wake up in the morning just to go to bed again."

YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL THIS WAY.

If any of the symptoms or quotes above resonate with you, if you are struggling with your life, there is help and there is hope.

There is a National Helpline in the USA for those facing depression and/or substance use disorders:  1 (800) 662-4357 or 1 (800) 662-HELP.  It's free, confidential, 24/7 365 days a year treatment and information referral service in  English and Spanish.

More comfortable  texting?  Text HOME to 741741 to connect to a Crisis Counselor in the USA and Canada.  In the UK text 85258.  In Ireland text 50808.

Are you having suicidal thoughts?  Call (800) 273-8255.

HELP IS AVAILABLE.  TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE.

I've faced depression, and it is nasty, incidious, and sucks away all energy, joy, and pleasure of living.  Treatment is available, and even though it is difficult to reach out for help, please do so.

There is no reason to suffer in silence.  Help is available.  

Please pass this information on to others, let people know there is HOPE and HELP.

Until next week 

Peace

Laura

#wildcatrub 

@wildcatrub