Support for Depression, Grief & Loss
Understanding Depression
Some people experience depression without even being aware that they are depressed.
They may feel unmotivated,their interest in doing things or seeing people may fade. They may feel tired all the time even after quite a good night's sleep. They may in fact oversleep, and find it difficult to get up. Or have restless, broken sleep.
They may find their concentration declining, their capacity to be organised or finish a task may be affected.
Their family or friends may notice they've 'lost their spark'. Friends and family may be the first to use the word 'depression.'
Does this sound familiar? Whilst medication (an anti-depressant) may have it's place, it is not able to take away the cause of the depression and other types of support may help.
And there is likely to be a cause, although it may not be obvious to anybody. Gentle exploration can help you to find the cause.
It's also worth considering that depression is not inevitable as a part of grief or trauma, but it may enter into the picture over time.
Understanding Grief and Loss
When we think of grief we tend to think of bereavement, and yes, when somebody close to us dies, grief is almost inevitable. We have lost an important, much-loved person, and grieving may well take a long time, much longer than we (and, significantly, others) expect.
Or our circumstances at the time did not allow us to grieve, and years later we are shocked to discover the grief is still waiting for us to feel it.
Even if the relationship was complex or toxic, loss and grief can surprise us. We may grieve the loss, for instance, of the father we never had, or the father who never gave us what we needed to flourish. Sometimes this is the hardest grief, because it seems so unexpected.
But we can experience grief and loss in other ways. The wee dog or cat who stole and then broke our hearts. The job we were looking forward so much to retiring from, that has left a sudden hole in our lives. We have lost our role or status, our purpose, our daily socialising, and have to adjust. The empty week yawns ahead.
Or our empty nest is suddenly too empty.
Losses and transitions like these are eased by talking about them to a non-judgemental, compassionate listener, allowing the feelings to be expressed and acknowledged and gradually released.
