Do you feel as if your life is spiraling out of control? Does it seem that every decision you make is the wrong one? Do you feel all alone? Do you find yourself taking medication to ease the pain? Do you turn to alcohol for release?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any or all of the questions listed, please know that you are not alone. There are many who feel the same way. There are also many who have given up because of feelings that no one will ever know.
You are not alone.
Depression and feelings of inadequacy are normal. They may be due to circumstances in your life, illness, loss, health, or more. What is important to note is awareness of these feelings. These feelings are signals that your body is giving you that something is not functioning correctly.
Depression has causes and symptoms that are like many other illnesses. The symptoms of depression enable the diagnosis of the condition since the brain can’t be cut open to find the ‘disease.’ Recovery begins first with the diagnosis made by discussing the symptoms, then with the treatment. You are not “crazy” if you are diagnosed with depression. You have an illness, just like any other illness – treatable and not something you can wish away.
These feelings can lead to addiction and substance abuse as an answer and sometimes worse. Instead of turning to something to ease the pain such as drugs or alcohol, it’s important to seek professional help. There are professionals that can determine the cause of your depression or where your feelings stem from and provide the help necessary.
You will note that this is not a subject that is new but it is one that is necessary to address. There are many people of influence that have turned to drastic measures to ease their pain. A pain that could have been addressed differently. Instead of giving in, please seek help. Many times the people closest to you are unaware of what you are feeling, so if they are unaware or seem nonchalant about your situation don’t stop searching.
National Recovery Month celebrates its 25th year anniversary this month. National Recovery Month is a national observance that educates Americans on the fact that addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.
You are not alone on this journey. There are people waiting to listen to you and help you. Adelphi University and its Center for Health Innovation is a group that is waiting to hear from you to help you. Please don’t continue living life in sadness, misery and turning to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. Your pain is real and can be helped.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Adelphi University. The opinions and text are all mine.
