Being tired, having low moods and not having the energy to do anything are familiar feelings from time to time to most people. They can usually be explained by being up late, burning the candle at both ends, or perhaps not getting enough sleep. Life throws many different things at us that make us feel lethargic and restless. We can all go through times of sorrow and sadness in our lives. It does not necessarily mean that we are depressed. However, when those feelings of tiredness, lack of energy and low mood take over and overwhelm us, they may need looking into, to explore if there is something that may need attention. Some of the symptoms experienced with depression may include:
- Lack of energy – being overwhelmed by little things that once came as second nature
- Lack of interest in hobbies, social life
- Feeling short-tempered or angry
- Feeling irritable and anxious about things
- Feeling miserable and sad all or a lot of the time
- Feeling empty, apathetic, listless
- Feeling physically sick, experiencing headaches, stomach pains, tension, stressed out
- Loss of appetite and significant weight loss
- Being unable to concentrate and having problems sleeping
- Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness
- Having suicidal thoughts or feeling suicidal
Those are just some of the possible symptoms. It is not an exhaustive list by any means. Not everyone who is depressed will experience all of those symptoms. If even some of the feelings and thoughts are there, if they are intense and last for more than a few weeks, then it would be worth getting them checked out. If a person needs glasses, they go to an Optician. If they are sick or feeling unwell physically, they go to a Doctor. If they have a toothache, they go to a Dentist. Why then, if we are feeling anxious, depressed or unable to deal with what life is throwing at us should we not also look into the cause. Depression affects both physical and mental health and can be quite debilitating. Sometimes it might feel like there is no light at the end of a very long tunnel. It makes perfect sense that we should also look after our mental health and treat it like any other feeling of un-wellness.
Sometimes medication may be required to take the edge off feelings that are difficult to deal with, which is perfectly ok. Counselling can also help and can be used hand-in-hand with medication by talking about those feelings and emotions and looking at and finding a more manageable way of coping with them.
If you feel you would like to talk, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Please feel free to give Cara Counselling a call on 083 1855958, or you can also use the Contact Me page and I will get in touch with you as soon as possible. Everything is treated in the strictest confidence and without judgement. Making that call could be the first step on the road to a more enjoyable life.
