Why Is Depression Sometimes So Hard To Let Go Of?
Depression is a serious mental health issue that can affect anyone. It's important to know that it's not your fault and there are ways you can get help. But what if even after you've gotten the help you need and feel like you're better, the depression comes back? Why is that? And what should you do if this happens to you?
In this article, we'll explore some reasons why this happens, as well as some things that can help prevent it from happening again in the future.
5 Reasons Why Depression is Sometimes So Hard To Let Go Of
1. The Strong Grip of Familiarity
The comfort of familiarity is a powerful force. It's the reason why we're so reluctant to change jobs, move cities or try a new hairstyle. Change is hard and scary and often not worth it when you can get by just fine with what you've got.
The same goes when it comes to our mental health—we cling to the familiarity of depression because the change would mean facing our problems head-on instead of avoiding them with distractions like TV, alcohol, and drugs.
But if we allow ourselves to continue living this way to avoid change, then it becomes even harder for us to break free from depression.
2. Avoidance of Pain
Unfortunately, avoidance of pain is easier than facing it. The reason for this is that avoidance helps us avoid negative emotions and cope with other difficulties in the short term.
The problem with avoidance as a coping mechanism is that it doesn’t treat the root cause of the issue at hand. Avoiding problems can often lead to long-term problems or even more severe situations down the road—like when someone avoids going to therapy because they don't want to face their mental health issues, but later ends up being hospitalized due to those same issues.
3. People Pleasing
People pleasers are often very good at helping others in their lives. They may volunteer for too many activities, pick up an extra shift at work, or be the first person to lend a hand when someone needs it. This can lead to burnout and even depression because people pleasers often put too much pressure on themselves to please everyone else, sometimes to the detriment of their health and well-being.
4. Past Depressive Episodes
As you've probably experienced, a past depressive episode can make it harder to let go of depression. This is because depression is a chronic condition, and the longer you have had to live with this illness, the more tightly it has woven itself into your life. Depression can also be triggered by stressful events. If a traumatic event occurs after an episode has ended, it may be difficult to return to normal levels of functioning.
The whole point of this section is that while past depressive episodes may make it harder for you to recover from depression in the future, they don't mean that recovery isn't possible or won’t happen at all! You just need some extra support during these periods so that recovery happens as quickly as possible!
5. Genetic Predisposition
Depression is a genetic disorder.Yes, depression can run in families. This means that if your parents or extended family members have suffered from depression, you may be more likely to develop it yourself. However, this doesn’t mean that genetics is the only cause or even the main cause of depression!
Many people with a family history of mental illness also go through periods where they aren’t depressed (or at least aren’t diagnosed as such). It's important not to let your genes be destiny for how you feel about yourself or how you deal with life's challenges.
How To Prevent Depression from Happening Again?
If you've had a bout of depression, you know how it can affect your life.It can make simple tasks seem overwhelming and lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.But with help, you can recover from depression and learn the skills needed to avoid another episode.
Here are some steps that can help:
1. Get Enough Sleep Every Night
Sleep deprivation can lead to depression, so it's important to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night if possible. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try taking natural supplements like melatonin before bedtime.
2. Get Treatment
Talk with your doctor about treatment options, such as counseling or medication. Counseling can be especially helpful if you're having trouble talking about your feelings or figuring out what triggers your depressive episodes.
3. Stay Active
Exercise boosts endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help improve mood and relieve stress and anxiety. Set small goals for yourself, such as walking after dinner instead of watching TV or taking a brisk walk during lunch break at work. Gradually increase the amount of exercise you do each week until you're doing at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
4. Eat Well-Balanced Meals
Eat well-balanced meals regularly throughout the day to avoid feeling too hungry or too full from eating one large meal late in the evening. Avoid skipping meals because this may cause blood sugar levels to drop, which can make symptoms worse in some people with depression.
5. Get Social Support
Getting support from friends and family can help protect you against future depression. If someone close to you has recently become depressed, ask them how they're feeling and encourage them. If they don't want to talk about it, try asking them about something unrelated instead. This can help ease the tension between the two of you until they open up later on.
Conclusion
The fact of the matter is that depression is a serious mental health condition that can be extremely difficult to treat and overcome. Depression often manifests itself in feelings of emptiness or sadness, but it can manifest itself in other ways as well: feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or shame; irritability; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; and even thoughts of suicide.
If you're struggling with depression, don't hesitate to seek professional help from a licensed mental health professional who can understand your individual needs and provide you with the appropriate treatment plan.
