Unsteady

How Depression Affects Daily Life

Gerry Howe — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:30:26 +0000

What is Depression?

Everyone gets sad or depressed on occasion, it’s a natural part of the ups and downs of life.

Depression as an illness however, is an entirely different story.

Depression is a mental health condition characterized by continuous low moods including sadness and irritability, as well as difficulty concentrating and changes in eating and sleeping patterns. All of which negatively affect daily life.

Depressive signs and symptoms vary from person to person, but people who suffer from this condition typically share many common features like the ones mentioned in this article.

While some symptoms gradually occur and may appear minor at first, they can quickly escalate into something much more serious such as reckless behavior or suicide ideation.

If you think you may have depression or any other mental health concerns, it’s important that you tell someone right away (i.e., a doctor or therapist) and put a support system together as quickly as possible.

Depression is not a condition to take lightly, and the sooner you get help, the sooner you can get back to living your life the way you deserve to.

5 Ways Depression Affects Daily Life

While this is in no way an exhaustive list, here are 5 ways depression affects the daily lives of many people, including me.

If you have depression and experience symptoms other than the ones mentioned here, please share them in the comments at the bottom of this article, as well as what helps you to manage them.

You never know, your experiences may help someone cope better.

You May Struggle to Concentrate or Complete Tasks

When I am depressed I struggle to get anything accomplished. I can sometimes force myself, but it takes a tremendous amount of effort and will.

I’ll frequently find myself dazing off and reflecting on my life.

Even things like getting out of bed and brushing my teeth feel like daunting tasks.

Often, people who suffer from depression experience little to no motivation, decreased energy, or a sense of apathy.

You may find it hard to focus, to concentrate or even make simple decisions like deciding what you want to eat or drink. Decisions are the worst.

Going to school or work may feel, or even be impossible depending on the intensity of your depressive episode.

As a husband and father, depression sometimes severely affects my ability to just spend time with my family; even watching a movie can seem overwhelming.

PRO TIP: Task Management

Try using a habit tracking mobile app (e.g. Loop Habit Tracker) to stay on top of your daily tasks. Set notifications for tasks you often forget or struggle to complete.

This won’t solve all your problems, but it may provide some motivation, as well as a sense of purpose and direction. It works wonders for me.

You May Want to Withdraw or Isolate Yourself

Because it’s so difficult for me to do anything when I’m depressed, I don’t feel like going anywhere or being around anyone.

When someone isn’t feeling well or acting what is considered normal, people will sometimes pry, asking a million questions to find out what’s going on.

I hate it. The truth is I don’t know what is wrong most of the time, and sometimes everything in the world is going wrong.

I just want to be left alone. The fact they love and care about me is irrelevant at the time.

When there are too many people in a room (even if it’s my family) , I feel dizzy and smothered. Sometimes I even panic.

If you have depression you may feel like no one even comes close to understanding what you are going through; that everyone is judging you, just waiting for you to magically snap out of it (they don’t understand it doesn’t work that way).

In my experience, if someone doesn’t go through depression themselves, it’s nearly impossible for them to understand.

The people who are able to provide the most help either: also experience depressive episodes, or… admit they don’t understand, trust what you say is true, sympathize, and do the best they can to be supportive. Thank God for these people.

PRO TIP: Time Management

First and foremost, if you’re going through depression sadness, being alone is not a good idea. Find someone immediately and tell them what you are feeling.

On the other hand, if you’re just feeling angry and bitter, you can actually use the time to catch up on uncompleted tasks.

When I can’t be around other people I either walk, lift weights, or clean. It’s therapeutic and provides a productive way to release negative energy.

When I don’t feel like doing anything, I just clean a little of my house at a time and celebrate each milestone with dark chocolate.

You May Have Difficulty Controlling Your Emotions

My lack of control over my emotions is the first sign I am entering into a depressive episode.

I have to fight really hard and constantly remind myself it’s not me, it’s the illness.

Irritability and Agitation

This is the very first emotion to hit me when depression sets in.

Irritability can cause you to overthink everything and become easily agitated and disagreeable with everyone around you.

I always know when it’s happening because I can’t seem to get along with anyone; everything annoys me, and I can’t let go of even the smallest infractions.

If I don’t get control over my irritability right away it quickly turns into anger.

I have to tell myself over and over “breathe deep and be agreeable”, “Just let it go man, just let it go”, “You are better than this.”

Sometimes the words work, sometimes… not so much.

Anger and Aggression

Depression can make you get angry fast and lead to outbursts, or even aggressiveness.

I used to drink alcohol when I was depressed and would quickly become destructive.

I would never physically hurt anyone, but I would put holes in walls, break appliances, and even destroy things that were important to me.

When I gave up alcohol many years back, my destructive tendencies completely vanished.

Of course it might not work the same for everyone, but it’s certainly something to consider if you find yourself angry often.

Whenever I feel myself getting angry now, I try to distance myself a bit and listen to calming music while I clear my head. My favorite is Riopy.

Sad and Weepy

When the sadness hits I cry in the shower, I cry writing, I cry listening to music, I cry eating breakfast… I cry off and on all day no matter what I am doing.

Sometimes it’s over little things, other times it’s for no reason at all.

Depression sadness is by far one of the worst feelings I have ever felt in my life.

Partly because it’s constant and partly because it makes me feel like my life is purposeless and pointless. It’s just awful. It makes me want to cry thinking about it.

Remembering why I’m feeling sad is extremely important.

If you leave depression sadness unchecked, it can sometimes turn into despair and lead to suicidal thoughts and contemplation.

When I am extremely sad I make sure I am not alone. I know all to well what can happen if I am. The struggle is real.

If you ever feel this way, tell someone immediately! Create a support system so you have a plan in place when you feel that way again.

It’s not the end of the world, it’s an episode that will pass. Fight hard, and if at all possible -with a team. You CAN beat it.

PRO TIP: Emotion Tracking

While there are a variety of ways to track your emotions, I use a mobile app called Bearable (available for both Android and iPhones). I cannot brag enough about this app! It tracks everything including moods (emotions), physical symptoms, meds, food, sleep and more.

Tracking your emotions works because you learn your triggers and patterns which results in smarter decision making.

You May Have Insomnia, Hypersomnia or Both

Nearly everyone suffering from depression experiences some form of change to their sleeping patterns or another.

In most cases it’s insomnia. In fact, according to all my sources, only a small percentage of people oversleep (I do on occasion).

However, some people can actually experience both insomnia and hypersomnia within the same depressive episode.

Not being able to sleep at night is difficult enough, but for those with depression, insomnia can make it much worse.

Lack of sleep leads to mental and physical exhaustion, can cause terrible moods swings, more depression, and leave you with an overall feeling of being unwell. Meh.

Oversleeping isn’t good for you either. It can cause headaches, backpain, inflammation, disorientation, and more depression.

Both sleeping too much and too little puts you at a greater risk for a variety of conditions including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

PRO TIP: Sleep Preparation

Create a sleep schedule and stick to it as best as you are able. For example, lay down on your bed at the same time every night and set an alarm to get you out of bed at the same time every morning (train your brain).

Abstain from electronics (computer, TV, phone, etc.) and just read 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime. This provides numerous health benefits including relaxing your eyes and mind.

You may find drinking caffeine-free herbal tea like Yogi Bedtime Tea to be soothing, relaxing, and aide in the sleep process (it also gives me pleasant dreams).

Try using a Cooling Weighted Blanket. I thought it would make me feel smothered, but instead it effectively calms my anxiety and helps me sleep a lot better.

You May Crave Unhealthy Food

Dark chocolate, ice cream and chips anyone?

These are the 3 things I crave the most when I’m depressed; and to be completely transparent, I often give in.

Why? Because they make me feel better (there’s an explanation for this). Unfortunately, it’s only instant gratification.

There are of course, multiple reasons why eating unhealthy can be a big problem.

For one, rapid weight gain can lead to low self-esteem, poor body image, as well as physical health concerns. These symptoms can cause even more depression.

Second, eating unhealthy food can make you feel tired, weak, and sluggish which can also make you feel more depressed.

PRO TIP: Not So Unhealthy Food

If you’re like me and struggle to give up the few things that actually make you feel better, try healthier versions of your cravings.

For example, instead of regular ice cream, try something like Halo Top, low-fat frozen yogurt, or even non-dairy ice cream made from coconut milk.

Instead of your go to chocolate bar, try dark chocolate sweetened with stevia. It’s pretty much a health food.

Rather than a bag of greasy fried potato chips, try grain-free chips cooked with 100% avocado oil (I absolutely love these).

Of course I realize it’s not the same and may not be a viable option for everyone. The point is, you may be able to satisfy your cravings without further sacrificing your health. For me, that’s a huge win.

Conclusion

Depression negatively affects daily life in many different ways.

It can affect your daily routine, your relationships, your social life, your emotions, your eating and sleeping habits and more.

Finding a way to cope with it all is crucial for sanity, as well as your physical health.

Create a support system, stay strong, and never give up.

If you experience depression, I hope the information provided in this article helps in some way and I sincerely wish you the best on your journey to a better life.

The post How Depression Affects Daily Life appeared first on Unsteady.

Depression Poem: Into the Darkness

Gerry Howe — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:15:24 +0000

Another night I can’t stop crying;
Another day I feel like dying;
Into the darkness I descend.

My head is pounding;
The pain’s abounding;
My mind is wearing thin.

Imprisoned by depression today;
I struggle, but can’t get away;
How I long for this to end.

I strive to summon all my might;
To rise above this incessant fight;
But honestly, I’m feeling pretty grim.

There’s not much more I can take;
I fear I will eventually break;
I’m already starting to bend.

Tempted by what feels like fate;
I fantasize and contemplate;
Releasing the pain within.

If only the darkness would subside;
I could crawl out from where I hide;
And maybe start to mend.

For now I’ll continue to live on hope;
Counting on my will to cope;
Until the light shines once again.

The post Depression Poem: Into the Darkness appeared first on Unsteady.

Can Chronic Pain Cause Anxiety?

Gerry Howe — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 21:27:46 +0000

Can chronic pain cause anxiety? Yes, chronic pain can and usually does cause anxiety (and can even lead to anxiety disorders). For instance, there are many things you can no longer do, and you have to limit many of the things you can do. Not to mention worrying about worsening conditions, what people think and more.

For example, as an athletic built man and former U.S. Marine, I sometimes worry how people will react if they ask for help lifting something heavy and I have to decline.

I feel inadequate to say the least.

Sometimes when I explain I have chronic pain, some people will express their disbelief in obvious ways (this can be very frustrating).

Sure I may look okay on the outside, but on the inside is quite a different story.

In fact, there are some days where the pain is bearable until the moment I do something strenuous, then I could be in terrible pain for days (maybe you can relate).

While I have suffered from pain for about 15 years, I was diagnosed with my specific autoimmune conditions about 3 years ago.

My physical conditions include Ankylosing Spondylitis, Oral Psoriasis, Raynaud’s Disease, IBS and occasional Iritis.

The fact I have also been diagnosed with a mood disorder, Bipolar Disorder type 2, as well as severe anxiety and panic disorder doesn’t help any.

Constantly explaining my conditions gets old quick, but I care what people think about my character and desperately want them to understand why I can’t always help.

It makes me anxious just thinking about it.

Why Chronic Pain Causes Anxiety

While this might sound dramatic to those who don’t experience it, chronic pain is a very stressful, debilitating and life-changing experience.

The pain itself limits many normal everyday activities and as a result, it makes life feel so much more stressful and reduces your quality of life.

Not to mention – anxiety increases when pain increases (depression sometimes as well).

Likewise, just as pain causes anxiety, anxiety causes pain.

So, if you are having increasing amounts of anxiety in relation to your pain, it’s certainly possible anxiety is causing more pain (which can lead to more anxiety and so on ).

How Chronic Pain Causes Anxiety

Pain often leads to stress. It takes a lot of energy and strength to cope with pain.

It affects your physical health by lowering your immune system and can leave you drained and fatigued.

When it’s chronic and your whole life revolves around dealing with the pain, it can make you feel overwhelmed, frustrated and even depressed.

Feeling miserable all the time, especially on really bad days, can cause you to worry about a number of different things.

It makes you worry about your future, as well as the future of your loved ones.

People who constantly suffer often worry about how their pain is going to affect their family and friends, even though they know they are making all the right decisions for themselves.

How to Cope With Anxiety

There are a variety of ways chronic pain patients use to cope with anxiety from pain, and different things work for different people.

Some people find relief with anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a doctor, while others (like me) have to take a more natural approach. Sometimes it can be a little of both.

It all depends on what works for you and your body.

Of course, you should always consult with your doctor, or a mental health professional first before determining which approach is best for you.

I personally take supplements (listed below) throughout the day, exercise as much as I am able, soak in Epsom salt, as well as listen to calming music.

I have tried a plethora of medications in the past, but between how my body reacts to medicine, as well as the myriad of side effects I seem to be prone to, it just doesn’t work out for me.

Natural Products That Work For Me:

Chewable Enzymes for Gut Issues

These supplements help me with gut issues caused by excessive anxiety and stress. Also being chewable, they are super convenient to take and taste pleasant.

Other brands and types of enzymes may cost less or also work well (I haven’t tried them all), but these have been extremely effective for me and always seem to be available.

They are also hypoallergenic with no: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans. They contain no: artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Stress and Anxiety Relief Gummies

The supplements listed below have noticeably helped decrease my anxiety and stress related problems (especially the Ashwagandha with black pepper).

I still struggle, but my anxiety and panic attacks are much more manageable now. I take these supplements every single day without fail which may contribute to their effectiveness.

I have always loved gummies so whenever I have the opportunity to get supplements in this form I jump on it. They usually taste great and seem more like a treat to me than medicine.

While I have almost eliminated sugar in my diet, it can sometimes be hard to find gummies without some form of sweetener. I suppose that might be a good reason to swallow pills, but I absolutely hate swallowing pills and they often make me gag. So far I haven’t experienced any problems with sweeteners in any of the gummies I take.

Cooling Weighted Blankets

I had absolutely no idea how effective sipping on a cup of hot tea while wrapped in a cooling weighted blanket could be.

If you have skipped trying a weighted blanket because you worry about feeling smothered, you are not alone. The struggle with claustrophobia is real.

But after receiving a cooling weighted blanket as a gift, I don’t understand how I ever made it without one. Now, no other blanket will do.

If you decide to give weighted blankets a try, be sure to order an easy to clean cover for it. You’ll be happy you did.

Stress Relief and Bedtime Tea

I never used to be a tea drinker. For one, most herbal teas are naturally caffeine free. However, caffeine is a known contributor to many anxiety related issues. Any stimulant is.

So after ditching the caffeine I found many sources indicating herbal tea as a stress relieving alternative to coffee. It’s warm, it’s soothing, and if you get the right blend it can actually help decrease stress levels.

Yogi is available in most stores tea is sold at, unlike some other brands I have tried. Not only do these teas help calm me down, they also seem to induce some very pleasant dreams.

I typically drink a cup of the Stress Relief with Kava in the morning and drink a cup of the Bedtime tea about an hour before I get ready for bed. These teas help with my overall relaxation throughout the day and when I’m trying to get some much needed rest.

If you find drinking plain tea too boring, try adding a teaspoon of Stevia (tastes like sugar) and a little unsweet coconut milk (in a carton typically found in the dairy isle of the grocery store; Silk is my favorite brand). Some of you will thank me for this, it’s absolutely delicious!

Conclusion

Chronic pain, in most cases, causes some form of anxiety or another.

Life is stressful enough without living in pain – chronic pain makes it brutal.

If the anxiety gets bad enough, it may even cause additional physical pain.

Fortunately, there are some ways to cope with your stress and anxiety.

Whether you find relief through medications or natural supplements and exercise, I empathize with you and wish you all the best.

Do you know any other effective ways to treat anxiety caused by pain? Please let me know in the comments. I am always looking for additional ways to cope.

The post Can Chronic Pain Cause Anxiety? appeared first on Unsteady.

Unsteady

How Depression Affects Daily Life

What is Depression?

Table of Contents

5 Ways Depression Affects Daily Life

You May Struggle to Concentrate or Complete Tasks

PRO TIP: Task Management

You May Want to Withdraw or Isolate Yourself

PRO TIP: Time Management

You May Have Difficulty Controlling Your Emotions

Irritability and Agitation

Anger and Aggression

Sad and Weepy

PRO TIP: Emotion Tracking

You May Have Insomnia, Hypersomnia or Both

PRO TIP: Sleep Preparation

You May Crave Unhealthy Food

PRO TIP: Not So Unhealthy Food

Conclusion

Depression Poem: Into the Darkness

Can Chronic Pain Cause Anxiety?

Table of Contents

Why Chronic Pain Causes Anxiety

How Chronic Pain Causes Anxiety

How to Cope With Anxiety

Natural Products That Work For Me:

Chewable Enzymes for Gut Issues

Stress and Anxiety Relief Gummies

Cooling Weighted Blankets

Stress Relief and Bedtime Tea

Conclusion