mental illness doesn't define you
- lxrynwxtring
- Oct 7, 2022
- 3 min read
10/7/22
hello cherubs! I cannot believe that it is already OCTOBER! where has the time gone?! I am sort of happy though because it is officially SPOOKY season aka my favorite season. (I think a lot of people can agree)
but along with spooky season, we do have the party pooper of seasonal depression. by definition, seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year.
we already learned about SAD (seasonal affective disorder) a while back, but here's a tiny refresher.
usual self-diagnosable symptoms of SAD:
fatigue
depression
hopelessness
social withdrawal
other common symptoms of seasonal depression:
mood: anxiety, apathy, general discontent, loneliness, loss of interest, mood swings, or sadness
sleep: excess sleepiness, insomnia, or sleep deprivation
whole body: appetite changes or fatigue
behavioral: irritability or social isolation
also common: depression, lack of concentration, or weight gain
some helpful home remedies for seasonal depression from wonderhowto on Pinterest:
use a light therapy box, an electronic light that mimics outdoor light. sit in front of one for 30 minutes a day, it will help stimulate your body's circadian rhythms.
wake up with a dawn simulator. unlike alarms, dawn simulators gradually brighten in intensity like the sun, which can help people with SAD.
take in natural sunlight as much as possible, like walking outdoors at noon.
paint your indoor walls a light color. trim your shrubs, hedges or branches that block sunlight from coming into your windows.
exercise, eat healthy, and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
stay socially active and focus on the fun aspects of winter
if at all possible, vacation somewhere with a warmer climate.
if your symptoms persist or worsen, seek the help of a doctor or a mental health professional.
having a mental illness doesn't make you a bad person. and mental illness does not choose favorites. this disease can attack anyone independent of gender, race, class, etc.
stereotypes like "if you have a good life, you shouldn't be depressed," or "there's nothing to be sad about, you could have anything you want," are phrases that should never be told to someone suffering from a mental illness.
asking for help is the bravest thing you can do. when you are suffering, sometimes it's not always obvious to others. it's easy for someone that doesn't know you very well to assume that you are okay. but that's not always the case.
speaking up for yourself, especially when things are getting bad, is not a cry for help or a ploy of getting attention. this is something that needs to be taken serious and addressed immediately.
if you have a trusted family member or friend, they are the best options. having someone you know and love who is able to help you without judgement is always better than telling a stranger.
but maybe you aren't able to find someone you trust or you don't have anyone that you're willing to talk with about what you're dealing with, and that's okay. your best option, in a case of emergency, is to call 911. but if your situation isn't life or death, there are some other options.
crisis & suicide lifeline: DIAL 988
texting option: text 'MHA' to 741741
NAMI: National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1.800.950.NAMI (6264)
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration: 1.800.662.HELP (4357)
texting option: text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
remember like we always say, you deserve it be here.
please reach out & if you don't know how or need support, don't feel ashamed to message me!
xx Loryn
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