Depression

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminstration (SAMHS), in 2016, 4.3% of adults experienced a major depressive episode that severely impaired their work or personal activities. However, even those whose activities are not severely impaired can still meet the criteria for major depression.  Here are some more statistics from SAMHS as cited on the National Institute of Mental Health (use the link for a better resolution on the graph) website:

If depression is something you or a family member struggle with, I hope this post is helpful.

In the three times I’ve been hospitalized for depression, the predominant feelings were worthlessness and anxiousness. I worried constantly about how I would get through the day. I felt anxious and guilty about my past. Mistakes I’d made, things I’d done wrong, and pasts slights or injuries done to me since I was a child bubbled into my consciousness to give me feelings of guilt, remorse, anger, and regret. I believed the world would be better off without me and that I was a burden to my loved ones.

With bipolar I, I tend to have depressive periods in winter and immediately after manic or hypomanic episodes. I also experience mixed states where the restlessness and energy of mania vacillates with the sadness and hopelessness of depression—sometimes within the same hour. Thankfully, most of my depressive episodes are short lived—usually a month or less. Within those given months, the severity of the depression varies. Some days I feel I can handle life’s tasks. Some days, I feel lethargic. Other days, sad and anxious. Still other days I feel emotionally numb.

In my next post, I'l write about some coping skills that have helped me with depression. 

Thanks for reading.