How to Face Down the Precarious Cliff of Mental Health | How to Get Over a Depressive Episode
I can feel the ominous darkness gathering. I fear so.
I usually have authority over my responses to emotions. Although sadness and hopelessness are uncontrollable, I have developed the tools to mitigate their severity. They are all too common when diagnosing vasculitis.
The ominous horror is my state of mind, which has been balanced for so long but is now in danger of tipping over. And once that’s the case, it’s difficult to regain balance.
It’s like a cloud appearing on the horizon. It will inevitably rain, but the cloud has not yet burst. I can dance around the word, but ultimately I have to acknowledge what it really is: depression. I know it all too well.
Although I’ve been in remission for nine years now, my illness is pervasive and pervasive. It affects every part of my life, even when there are no inflammatory symptoms. Thinking I can escape his reach is futile. The best I can do is to adequately encourage my psychological response to the complications.
I’ve spent over half my life grappling with it and luckily most days are good. I usually relax on the beach with a drink in hand. But I can see the tide coming in and I know that occasionally I’ll be swept away again.
So what can I do to reduce the wave?
Conclusion: take care of me. This can manifest itself in a number of ways.
- exercise. There’s nothing like natural endorphins to stave off the blues. Plus, if I bring my dog, I get the added bonus of animal company. It’s impossible to watch his happy trot through the forest and his sweet, smiling face without lifting my spirits.
- friends. I’m extremely outgoing and I know there’s almost no time I’d rather be alone than with my people. As long as there’s time with someone I care about, socialization is virtually guaranteed to turn a bad day around.
- Self-sufficiency. Soothing rituals like a bath or simple touch or smell pleasures give my brain a serotonin boost. This can be aromatic candles, a delicious dessert or a sip of my favorite drink.
- write diary. After all, I’m a writer! Putting words to paper allows me to sort out what I’m really thinking and feeling and look at everything from a more objective perspective. The load has often eased a little after I’ve written a page or two.
- Sleep. Sometimes it just takes a bit of rest to put my brain back into a more optimistic state. Even if I don’t go fully into deep sleep, the relaxation is helpful for my body.
Chances are you also have rituals that help you. These are just my favourites. As I approach the cliff, these things help me balance. That doesn’t mean I can’t go over the edge, but at least I can get back on my feet quicker.
Sometimes all it takes is a roadblock or two to trigger the decline. Everyone has bad days, right? But to me, things like frustration or lack of motivation are dangerously related to the same feelings of depression. I’ve noticed this correlation and am learning how to deal with it.
There are also certain seasons that are more precarious than others. For example, I know that the dark days of winter upset me more easily than summer, when days are bright and life is calm. Sunlight makes such a big difference to any mentality but especially one prone to depression.
As a teenager, I was much closer to the onset of the disease and had not yet developed the tools to deal with the ebb and flow of my emotions. These days I’m becoming more and more confident in my ability to navigate these waters. I know it’s okay to feel what I’m feeling because there’s an underlying reason for it.
And now I know that when the storm clouds gather, there will always be sun on the other side of the storm.
Note: ANCA Vasculitis News is a news and information website about the disease only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with questions about any medical condition. Never disregard or delay in seeking professional medical advice because you have read something on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ANCA Vasculitis News or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to stimulate discussion on topics related to ANCA Vasculitis.