Are Depression and Anxiety Part of Your Life?
As much as I would love to present our family as picture-perfect, it’s not like that for us.
A few nights ago was a rare blood moon eclipse happening at 8:45 PM. We decided to walk down to the neighborhood park to watch it with our kids.
Blood Moon Eclipse, Colorado
Blood Moon Eclipse
Just before leaving time, we had to make a parenting call. One of our children was to stay home due to behavior issues that evening.
He panicked at the thought of being left behind and fled out of the house. As he ran through the garage, he caught an elbow and junk of various kinds was knocked over, causing a spewing crash.
He took off down the sidewalk.
My husband ran after him.
Another child was knocked over in process.
We managed to get this child inside and help the hurt one. Our other kids waited patiently as is so often unfairly expected of them.
My husband and I bantered and argued about next steps to take. We work really well as a team but sometimes the stress of the day, the weekend, the moment — builds and we let loose on the person who doesn’t deserve it.
So this is the way our family looks to the neighbors sometimes.
This is what depression and anxiety look like sometimes.
And it’s so very hard.
What Depression Looks Like
We often think of depression as lying in bed for days at a time. Sometimes that is depression.
Sometimes depression takes other forms:
- Depression can include angry outbursts (especially true for men, but both sexes).
- Anxiety can look like hyperactivity, especially in children.
- Depression can be periods of go-go-go followed by a period of crashing, in milder forms in all types of depression but more extreme in bipolar and other mood disorders.
- Depression often feels like blah. It’s not sadness, it’s lack of much feeling.
- If you have a family member who is depressed, you are much more likely to experience depression.
- If you have a family member who has experienced trauma, you are much more likely to have depression. (Secondary trauma/Secondary PTSD)
Note: I am not a therapist: Please see your doctor, a therapist, or call 911 in an emergency if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or have thoughts of suicide. Help is available.
Hope for Depression
This is the beginning page for our series:
Click here to go to: The Hope Toolbox: Practical Help for Depression and Sadness
I’ve also created a helpful printable to go along with the series:
Click here to go to: The Hope Toolbox Printable Kit
Use this to journal and note your own thoughts and jot down helpful resources. Create your own Hope List for when times are tough.
This series isn’t about wallowing in dark murky doom and gloom.
This series is about real, practical tools — REALISTIC ONES.
By the end of this series, you will:
- Know you aren’t alone
- Have a list of realistic, specific tools for healing and wellness that work for YOU
- Be refreshed in mind and spirit
- Have a stronger faith
- Have a renewed understanding and ideas for how to cope if you have a loved who experiences depression
- Tons of websites and resources at your fingertips
Feel Better...Fast.
Depression & Anxiety?
+Improve your mood in 10 days.
+Reduce stress, anxiety, & panic.
+Daily, practical ideas to get you moving one small step at a time.
+Find joy & purpose.
You and your website are amazing!!!! I just keep clicking from one website to another loving it! I have so many issues. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for the past 8 years, at times it was debilitating, not able to go places or due things. How my husband stayed with me all those years is a miracle. It all started about the time I started the change?? All doctors said it wasn’t my hormones??? I am finally on the road to recovery ,I think. I have tried everything feasible, many many meds, meditation, affirmations, online research, counseling, blood test, seeking the Lord etc. Nothing worked, until recently, not sure why things are now better, maybe a combination of everything or the right cocktail of meds or the right counselor now or I am no longer going thru the change (my vote) or a more positive attitude, finding the Lord (also my vote). Whatever it is I am eternally grateful to God!
I have also struggled with my weight since a child. Have joined every weight lost program there is, lose 20, 30 40lbs etc and always gained it back. I lost 100lbs twice, the 1st time was with a Dr. who gave me diet pills and a shot?? Gained it all back,! The second time I had the gastric band for 10 horrible years and 6 surgeries. It eroding in my stomach and was finally removed. I kept the weight off for 10 years until last year when I was put on a medication that made me not care – about anything! I gained 30lbs, I am off that medication and am now running in circles trying to lose it, Golo, all protein, Wegovy (which made me so sick). I am now back on WW, lost 5lbs the 1st week, it has now been 5 weeks and I have not lost another pound. I am so discouraged, but finding your website has made me not throw in the towel…yet. I am actually scared that I am not going to make it. I look forward to reading your challenges and suggestions. My sincere thanks for your devotion in helping ALL those in need!
Thanks for sharing so much of your story with us. I can see your strong faith and determination. God’s blessings to you.
The Lord “delights” in those who put their hope in His unfailing love. <3 Thank you for sharing your tools for hope on the #adoptiontalk Linkup!