ON A LIGHTER NOTE

Ciao a tutti,

How was your day?

Remember the meeting I told you about on Wednesday, I had it today. it was interesting and less ‘depressing’, thanks to my friend, the ‘APE’ J

Everyone gave their view on depression after the meeting, and I began to think, that in some ways, we are depressed. The only difference is ‘the way we choose to handle whatever is causing our depression’. Do we become moody, or suicidal or do we remain happy and elated no matter what?

During my research and from the discussion I had with people, I realised that:
1. There's a stigma attached to depressed people. No one wants to be seen as a 'mad person' as such there is a 'hush hush' when it comes to depression,especially here in Naija (like my friend says ‘Back in the days, if you tell your parents you are depressed, they will slap the depression off you’)....
2. A lot of people have sunk into the belief that 'mental illnesses' are caused by 'juju' sent from the 'village'...Like we say in uni, 'it can't catch me'...as such, it can only be cured by 'juju'...
3. We talk of therapy, but are they readily available and affordable? 
4. Even when we know a person is depressed, if the person annoys us, we 'might' use their depressed condition against them by back biting or by insulting them which only worsens their condition...

Source: http://www.sosadithurts.com/causesofdepression.html

Whether we choose to admit it or not, We are liable to being depressed. It's here to stay, but it's effect on us is our choice...

During the meeting, someone said he spoke with a lady who wanted to commit suicide ‘cos she was tired of life. No job, no family, and nothing to hang on to in this life. Thankfully, he talked her out of it and advised her to get help. 
The other day, my colleague told me the story of a new mom who hung herself in the presence of her 3 months old baby. (I'm no psychologist but I deduced she had postpartum depression). 
These are real stories, happening to men, women and children who try their best to mask their challenges but are losing the war to depression. ‘ANGIE FLORES: INSIDE OUT’ describes it this way:

Outside lives a girl with a smile that will brighten up the room, yet inside hides a girl with a frown full of despair.
Outside lives a girl with eyes of joy that brings you to ease,
yet inside hides a girl shedding tears of sadness.
Outside lives a girl with a beautiful laugh that's contagious,
yet inside hides a girl screaming her lungs out in unwanted anger.

Outside lives a girl with the personality everyone envies,
yet inside hides a girl full of insecurities and shame.
Outside lives a girl who is fearless and tough, yet inside hides a weak girl who lives in fear.

Outside lives a girl full of life, yet inside hides a girl full of pain, wanting to die.
Outside lives a girl with a perfect image, yet inside hides a girl with regrets and mistakes.
Outside lives a girl of innocence, yet inside hides a girl with tremendous guilt.
Outside lives a girl with goals and aspirations, yet inside lives a girl lost in confusion.
What you see on the outside is my personal disguise,
What hides underneath you can't even begin to imagine

My sensei says, ‘there is no reason to be depressed’ and I agree with him, there is no reason to be depressed. Yes, depressing things happens every day (read the paper or watch the news) but we have the choice of not letting it affect us. We choose to laugh. We can choose to cry too, but not crying forever.

My take is, there is a thin line between sanity and insanity. So, guard your sanity as much as you can.
If you are depressed, hold on to your will power. Move on and remember that some people think the world of you.
Also, take prescribed medications, get Electro convulsive treatment or talk to someone(you will amazed at their understanding of your situation).

Also, you can apply these mental tricks to help lessen your depression.

1.    Don’t ‘catastrophize’: Always have a positive outlook

2.    Stop ruminating and let go of the past: Let go of your problems, it only stresses you the more.

3.    Reach out to others

4.    Avoid black and white thinking: They are good for zebras but not for your thoughts. Rather than say ‘no one loves me’, instead say ‘Lots of people, if not everybody, love me’. Speak positivity.

5.    If you are depressed, don’t deny it. It only worsens it. Knowing and accepting that you’re depressed can allow you to take steps to make it better or get treatment, rather than pretend that everything’s just fine.

I'm not a psychologists, but I believe in hope and hoping in God helps a lot too...I also believe in being a good listener and not stigmatising...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia

Don't let anything or anyone suck life out of you...Choose to be happy...(Your mental health is as important as your physical health)

On a lighter note: Please watch the short video again...(Funny right...)

Thanks so much for reading...Hugssssssss
One last question, where are you on this step?