Depression is no joke. Hoping it will go away is not a good strategy. Everyone feels down sometimes. When we do, we may head for the couch and binge-watch Yellowstone to take our minds off things. Bad days are part of life, and so is feeling sad from time to time. However, when the bad days keep piling up, and the sadness doesn’t seem to go away, you may need to consult a physician to ensure you aren’t experiencing depression.
Feelings of deep sorrow characterize depression. Depression is more common than you may think. Persistent depressive disorder affects nearly 1.5% of the U.S. adult population. Almost 6.7% of the adult population experiences one or more episodes of major depression in a given year. If you are experiencing depression, there are some very unhealthy ways a lot of people make the mistake of using it as a coping mechanism. If you are experiencing depression, you must be careful to avoid them.
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1. Numbing the Pain with Drugs and Alcohol
As a coping mechanism, some people revert to using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of the intense feelings of sadness they are experiencing. Drugs and alcohol may seem like they provide temporary relief to the user, but they can worsen symptoms of depression. Drugs and alcohol can also interfere with prescribed medications being taken for depression. Using substances to alleviate depression is a horrible coping mechanism and will lead to additional problems.
2. Overeating
From time to time, each can relate to grabbing our favorite comfort food from the refrigerator and eating it till it’s gone after we have experienced an awful day. Having a favorite comfort food we turn to occasionally isn’t unhealthy, but if someone is turning to food every time they are feeling sad, it is a problem. Overeating leads to being overweight, and being overweight is very unhealthy. It can lead to knee and joint pain, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and more Being overweight can also make a person feel worse about themselves and worsen symptoms of depression.
3. Self-Harm
Self-Harm is an extremely dangerous way to cope with depression. Some people experience such emotional sadness and pain that they turn to self-harm, like cutting themselves, as a way of dealing with the pain. If you are injuring yourself, even in a minor way, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, you need to seek help immediately. Speak to a therapist, spiritual counselor, or a trusted friend, and take steps to find treatment. Self-injury is a sign of bigger stressors. Asking for help does not make you weak. It makes you strong because you are taking active steps in moving towards feeling better.
4. Excessive Shopping
Let’s face it ladies, retail therapy is fantastic! You may love to gather with the girls and hit the stores in search of that favorite outfit once in awhile, but if you use shopping as a way of coping with depression it can lead to disaster. Compulsive shopping to make yourself feel better is a terrible coping mechanism. It can lead to financial issues, and family problems too. Also, it is never sustainable. You can’t just keep on shopping hoping it is going to take your depression away.
Depression is a serious issue and should not be passed over lightly. It should be taken seriously. Hoping it will just go away is not a good strategy. Seek medical attention, talk to a counselor, and don’t be afraid to confide in trusted friends and family. Most of all, don’t be ashamed that you feel this way. Remember you are not alone. God created you, and He knows everything about you. Ask for His help, and comfort. Follow your doctor’s orders, and make sure to use positive coping strategies not negative ones.
Refer to our article for more ideas on these here
https://leafyalive.com/11-excellent-positive-ways-to-cope-with-depression/
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