How To Deal With Depression When Mourning The Death Of A Loved One

By Cecelia C. Dawson


Many elders think that feeling depressed is a natural part of the aging process. This is not true. While many elders suffer from depression, they don't necessarily have to feel that way.Recognizing the signs of depression is the first step in handling it. Has your elder stopped doing the things he or she once enjoyed? Has personal care declined? Is your elder unnaturally quiet or lash out in anger? These are signs of depression.It is important to bring up these symptoms with your elder's doctor as soon as you see them. While it can be treated, chances are good that treatment will not be the same as it would be for someone younger.

One mood that is both universally experienced and universally dreaded by humans is stress. Stress makes you crabby and unproductive. It causes you to fight with those you love and feel angry at yourself. It is no fun. Stress is quite simply a nightmare.The good news is that you can combat stress by engaging in regular exercise. Exercise is a natural and healthy stimulant. As the endorphins course through your body, chemicals that boost your mood, such as serotonin, are released in large quantities naturally. Your body heats up and as your core body temperature increases it has the same effect on your brain and mood as a hot bath-you start to feel naturally relaxed and almost Zen.

While supplements may not be a good idea for an elder, due to drug/herb interactions, aromatherapy could be useful. The essential oils of chamomile and lavender are considered particularly useful. If the elder needs mental stimulation, oil of peppermint is another good product. On the oil of peppermint, be sure to keep children under the age of two away from this oil. Just the scent can cause serious breathing problems.Depression can be beaten, but only if it's recognized. Look for symptoms and start treatment as soon as possible for the best results.Most people will admit that their acne problem is making them depressed, however small that depression is. Yes, most people are suffering from chronic stress when they have acne sitting all day on their face. It's a natural reaction. You cannot be blamed for your depression because of acne, and it is certainly right for you to experience stress because of acne.

What? Men don't get depressed? Of course we do, but we tend to hide it well.Men tend to deal with depression differently than women and may show different signs that they are depressed. Depression is often a hidden problem with men, since many men tend to suffer in silence, rather than talking about their feelings.And that can lead to relationship problems.Historically, depression has been thought of as mostly a problem for women, but now we know that depression is a problem for men, too. Depression in men may go undetected. In fact, men may not realize they are depressed, although they may recognize they are feeling stressed. And their health care providers often miss the telltale signs.Depression is a normal part of life. Yet, if it goes unresolved, it can have a disastrous affect on personal functioning, relationships and careers. It can result in temporary personality changes, uncharacteristic bouts of anger and moodiness, create communication problems, spur conflict, and lead to relationship problems or marital distress. Thus, depression is a condition that must be recognized and treated for men to function on their highest level.What Are The Signs?

Men who are depressed may suddenly become irritable and quick to anger. Non-aggressive men may become more aggressive and hostile.Some may abuse alcohol or drugs, or turn to food for comfort, although some may eat less. It really depends on the person and his circumstances.Some men may over-exercise, while others may stop.One man may throw himself into a favorite hobby whereas a workaholic may become more dependent upon work ...while ignoring his relationships.Men may show typical signs of depression, too, such as, feelings of fatigue and burn-out, sleep disturbances and decreased libido. Thought patterns may change; men may think more negatively and perceive the world in darker, more threatening ways. This can be a subtle change. Depressed men may start feeling anxious and worried, and respond poorly to daily problems or stress at work or home, either over-reacting or under-reacting.

Depression is an unsound mental health condition that spares nobody. Depression can alter a persons actions and can easily be seen by the way he does the things he usually does. It can affect sleeping and eating habits, as well as how he thinks and deals with others. This mental condition is often behind a persons pessimism and sudden loss of self-assurance. A person afflicted by depression isolates himself from his social network.Depression changes a persons social skills and makes it hard for him to relate with other people. The person will eventually develop pessimism and become short-tempered. His hopelessness will become visible by the way he interacts with other people. When this is already happening, one must know on how to deal with depression.

Second, if you know someone the depressed man knows and respects, such as his father, pastor or best friend, suggest that he talk to that person. Or, you may enlist the help of a family member or close friend who has his ear.Third, try to get him to see his doctor (or yours), and encourage him to talk to his doctor about his depressed feelings (maybe he needs to go for other reasons, too). The physician can make a referral for counseling or prescribe helpful anti-depressant medication, if needed.Fourth, sometimes we men need a little prodding (and pampering). Be persistent and don't give up, as long as you proceed in a non-threatening manner. Remember, you want the man to view your efforts to help him as a sign of your deep-felt concern, rather than an attempt to nag or harass him. He won't end up feeling pressured by you if you always state your concern in non-demanding ways.The way you say something is as important as what you say. Some sensitive men are hard to approach, but they tend to respond favorably when you talk to them in a direct, caring and gentle manner. Avoid allowing your body language or tone of voice to express anger or contempt.Consider the impact depression can have on relationships, especially intimate ones. A man's marriage can suffer because of his depression, and he may not realize what's wrong. His wife will feel the impact, as well; so, his biggest support system may be compromised, which only compounds the problem.

Counseling,If you are in an intimate relationship with a depressed partner, it is often best to seek counseling. It is much easier and more effective to sit down with a trained relationship professional to discuss your relationship problems.Counseling is one of the best ways to face and deal with depression. It can be just as effective as medication, if not more so. The combination of the two can be even more effective.Sometimes depression can become quite serious and lead to other mental health issues. It is best to take it seriously.Depression and Your Relationship,Without a doubt, the depression of one spouse can injure the other. And it can have a derogatory impact upon the relationship in general, giving both partners a sense of despair, and causing them to view the relationship in pessimistic terms.

We know that depression can be a serious illness for some unfortunate people, who seem to go through life suffering from it no matter what. For those of us who have just ended a relationship though, this kind of depression will not last and it's important that we realize this.Dealing with depression after a breakup can be more difficult if you do not occupy yourself and find out that you have too much time on your hands. When we are not occupied in this way we tend to reflect too much and this can lead to us wallowing in self-despair. There is nothing wrong in trying to remember the good times, but at times like these it just helps to aggravate our feelings of insecurity, loneliness and sadness.

Throw away Pessimism. The pessimism destroys all hopes left in a person and results to heavier depression. Instead of brooding in negativity, indulge yourself with positive energy. Surround yourself with people who will bring positive aura in your life. Think of beautiful thoughts by thinking only of positive things. Become more productive and not destructive. When you are depressed you also affect other people negatively.Depression is not impossible to cure. The first step in how to deal with depression must always start with acceptance. Accept that you cannot do things by yourself and that there are things beyond your means. Do not lose hope, it is always the last thread that keeps man from succumbing to depression.




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