Depression is a miserable disease to the millions of folks who struggle with it. I know, I have been going through it for the past five years. During this time my life fell apart and then returned to normal. I imagine that many of you have had similar experiences as mine. To get things started, my wife and I had to move to Pennsylvania about six years ago. Moving entailed having to leave our home of twenty years. In Pennsylvania, I started a small church, and my wife worked part time for a nursing agency. Things only went well for a couple of weeks. Then the ceiling caved in. No not an actual ceiling, a series of events that would ultimately leave me emotionally paralyzed.
The first thing that came as a shocker was the fact that I needed emergency bypass surgery. I was only forty-seven years old when I went to the operating room to have my arteries replaced. The surgery went well; but I never really recovered totally from it.
During the second year of my stay in Pennsylvania, we received a call from one of my sons. He had been arrested for allegedly burning down a Hardees restaurant and then robbing it. This son had a gambling problem, and he had occasionally stolen in the past to support it. I thought to myself, "How is this going to look to the members at my new church?" We had to deal with lawyers, police officers and judges. Although my son had evidence that he wasn't at the site at the time of the robbery, he was fifty miles away in West Virginia, the judges failed to consider it, and found him guilty. Now he deals with having to pay back $80,000 in damages to the owner.
Still during our second year in our new home, another one of my sons, the youngest called. He was also in trouble. He had turned into a gambler, also, and was essentially bankrupted. He moved to Pennsylvania and lived with us for a while, eventually getting into trouble with the law for robbing a lumber supply store. He had embezzled a deposit.
During these first two years with everything else going on there were two deaths in the family. My Father in Law died from a staph infection obtained at a Maryland hospital. My wife was crushed. Only a few months later my wife's mom went to the hospital, the same one her husband had gone to. Unexpectedly, she also died of a staph infection. Not only did she die; but she died on Christmas Day.
To make a long story short the next three years consisted of: my wife leaving me after 32 years of marriage; getting remarried and divorced again, my new wife was a drug addict; having my two precious girls taken away permanently by children and youth services because my wife was a drug addict; going through a trial for something I didn't do; my church closed down, I was jobless and had no income for a year; I had a breakdown of sorts and now am permanently disable. Now I take care of my parents who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and heart disease. Don't take me wrong; I am not complaining. I only mentioned my trials so I might relate to you. I am doing better right now. I no longer spend my days in bed, wishing I could kill myself.
I saw psychiatrists and psychologists along with social workers. Although their intentions were good, they were of little help to me. Then one day I woke up and realized what my problem was; somewhere in the midst of my problem I had forgotten God. It was only when I drew closer to Him that I could feel some relief from my pain. God is real and He is there to help. Short stories, Bible verses, humor, and Biblical articles have helped me immensely. Now, I get out of bed in the morning and look forward to the day. No longer does my family worry about me committing suicide. No longer do I wake up in the morning and wish it was night. Except for a little bit of depression, I feel good again. You can feel good again, too.
These are some of the things you can do to feel better. First, make sure you have the proper lighting in your house. Little sunlight coming through your windows and poor lighting will only add to your depression. We lack Vitamin D in the winter and it is mandatory to a healthy mind. Use fluorescent lights, day lights, and white lights to replace the vitamin D. This will not supply all of the vitamin D that you need so you'll have to get it elsewhere.
Take Vitamin D by mouth. Most pharmacies and large chain stores carry vitamins. My doctor has recommended to me to take 1000 units a day. This is actually more than the recommended daily requirement; but Vitamin D is not easily absorbed orally. Check with your own doctor about the amount that is right for you. Get outside, any time spent outside will be a great mood lifter for you. While outside, stretch and take in some fresh air at the same time. It seems as though fresh air also affects the psyche. Exercise is also great for freeing pent up emotions.
Avoid confrontation. I hate other people speaking for me; but there comes a time when your mind needs a rest from the commotion. Let a trusted friend, family member or spouse handle some of your small problems. In turn, you will be less stressed by the situation that is annoying you. Get back to your roots, spiritually. Drawing close to God and His word is great for what is ailing you.
To sum things up. Depression is a horrible miserable disease. Help comes in many forms, doctors, pills, vitamin D, proper lighting, exercise, deep breathing, therapy, and your spiritual well being with God. If you use all of the tools at your disposal, you should start feeling better soon.
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