How to Deal with Depression When Mourning the Death of a Loved One
Many elders think that feeling depressed is a natural part of the aging process. This is not true. While many elders suffer from depression, they don’t necessarily have to feel that way.Recognizing the signs of depression is the first step in handling it. Has your elder stopped doing the things he or she once enjoyed? Has personal care declined? Is your elder unnaturally quiet or lash out in anger? These are signs of depression.It is important to bring up these symptoms with your elder’s doctor as soon as you see them. While it can be treated, chances are good that treatment will not be the same as it would be for someone younger.
A younger person might be prescribed antidepressants. An older person is probably taking medications for other conditions and may be unable to take an antidepressant. There is also some evidence that certain types of this medication aren’t as effective for seniors.Instead, counseling or group therapy may be suggested. Increasing social interaction can be a good means of countering the isolation some elders feel.Exercise is another area that could help ease depression. As an added benefit, exercise can also be beneficial for cognitive function. Elders dealing with cognitive decline are likely to feel depression.
The benefits of exercise are not just a quick mood fix either. If you engage in regular exercise, you will find that your overall stress levels decrease and that the overall quality of your moods increases.Don’t forget, however, that to maximize the stress-inhibiting benefits of exercise you need to be eating properly. Eating junk food and processed or refined sugars and grains will do nothing but detract from your mood and cancel out all the mood-enhancing benefits of exercise. Make sure you are building healthy eating habits that hone in on lean proteins such as salmon and legumes, green and colorful veggies, fruits, and healthy unrefined grains such as brown rice and quinoa. How does the platitude go…you are what you eat or something like that? Well it is true-you really are what you eat and if you eat mood crashing foods, no matter how much you exercise, you will probably still find that you are one crabby puppy.If you are interested in lowering your stress levels and getting on the track to a healthier, happier you, then it is never too late to start. You can always drop old habits and build up new ones. If you feel that you need a bit of extra help with all of this then look into the habit-changing benefits of practices such as hypnotherapy. All of the tools are at your disposal. Now it is only up to you to make the necessary, healthy changes!
What? Men don’t get depressed? Of course we do, but we tend to hide it well.Men tend to deal with depression differently than women and may show different signs that they are depressed. Depression is often a hidden problem with men, since many men tend to suffer in silence, rather than talking about their feelings.And that can lead to relationship problems.Historically, depression has been thought of as mostly a problem for women, but now we know that depression is a problem for men, too. Depression in men may go undetected. In fact, men may not realize they are depressed, although they may recognize they are feeling stressed. And their health care providers often miss the telltale signs.Depression is a normal part of life. Yet, if it goes unresolved, it can have a disastrous affect on personal functioning, relationships and careers. It can result in temporary personality changes, uncharacteristic bouts of anger and moodiness, create communication problems, spur conflict, and lead to relationship problems or marital distress. Thus, depression is a condition that must be recognized and treated for men to function on their highest level.What Are The Signs?
Start learning to tolerate uncertainty. This can be accomplished by turning toward your spiritual and symbolic beliefs. You will increase your options by letting your spiritual beliefs guide you and strengthen your faith that you will get through this hurtful loss. Know what you can and cannot control. You can control how you deal with major changes; you cannot control what others say and do or what has already happened.
Men may not discuss the way they are feeling with anyone, and may not recognize the changes themselves. As a result of societal conditioning, they tend not to talk about their stress with their friends, unlike women, who tend to get support from other women.And the impact their depression can have on their family life and primary relationships is often nothing short of devastating.Strategies for Helping A Depressed Man,First, if you notice that a man you care about is depressed, don’t beat him over the head with your observations; be careful how you approach the subject, or you may make your relationship problems worse. You might try sharing your concern with him, mentioning that you have noticed one or two of his symptoms. Go gently …and see if you can get him to open up about how he’s feeling. Express your concern. Avoid being critical. Don’t blame. Just listen and tell him how concerned you are.
Second, if you know someone the depressed man knows and respects, such as his father, pastor or best friend, suggest that he talk to that person. Or, you may enlist the help of a family member or close friend who has his ear.Third, try to get him to see his doctor (or yours), and encourage him to talk to his doctor about his depressed feelings (maybe he needs to go for other reasons, too). The physician can make a referral for counseling or prescribe helpful anti-depressant medication, if needed.Fourth, sometimes we men need a little prodding (and pampering). Be persistent and don’t give up, as long as you proceed in a non-threatening manner. Remember, you want the man to view your efforts to help him as a sign of your deep-felt concern, rather than an attempt to nag or harass him. He won’t end up feeling pressured by you if you always state your concern in non-demanding ways.The way you say something is as important as what you say. Some sensitive men are hard to approach, but they tend to respond favorably when you talk to them in a direct, caring and gentle manner. Avoid allowing your body language or tone of voice to express anger or contempt.Consider the impact depression can have on relationships, especially intimate ones. A man’s marriage can suffer because of his depression, and he may not realize what’s wrong. His wife will feel the impact, as well; so, his biggest support system may be compromised, which only compounds the problem.
Counseling,If you are in an intimate relationship with a depressed partner, it is often best to seek counseling. It is much easier and more effective to sit down with a trained relationship professional to discuss your relationship problems.Counseling is one of the best ways to face and deal with depression. It can be just as effective as medication, if not more so. The combination of the two can be even more effective.Sometimes depression can become quite serious and lead to other mental health issues. It is best to take it seriously.Depression and Your Relationship,Without a doubt, the depression of one spouse can injure the other. And it can have a derogatory impact upon the relationship in general, giving both partners a sense of despair, and causing them to view the relationship in pessimistic terms.
Do not abandon yourself. Take care of yourself by doing the things that you take pleasure in. Help yourself and do not just depend on others in helping you pull through from depression. The will to get out of that state is very critical. This comprises not just the mental but the physical and emotional facets as well. Allot appropriate hours for sleep, watch your diet by eating the right foods and treat yourself often.Engage in habitual exercise. Exercise generates endorphins. Endorphins are chemical matters that are being produced by the pituitary gland when a person needs to stop pain. These chemical substances are believed to be tied to production of hormones that makes people happy and in control with their sense of being.
Depression can have a serious impact on your marriage, and can cause serious relationship problems. Deal with it as a couple. Help your spouse get the help he needs. If there are problems in your relationship that are contributing to the depression, it is wise to address them. Don’t allow depression to rob you of joy and happiness. Face it, find solutions and move on! Richard Hamon is a dynamic coach and therapist with 30 years of professional experience. Richard helps people to solve their relationship problems, enjoy truly extraordinary marriages and find exceptional success in their lives.You’ll find all kinds of articles on how to spice up your relationships and lead a happier life at Richard’s website, Happy-Relationships.com. Find out about personal coaching programs to assist you in quickly reaching your loftiest goals. Discover eBooks, relaxation CDs and other informative products, such as a free relationship quiz to help you assess your relationship.
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