Depression and adulthood – dealing with change

Zyana writes about dealing with depression and the changes that someone may face with it.

- Zyana Morris

It seems like yesterday when you were being tucked to bed by your parents, when teddy bears and night time stories were the highlight of your evenings, when learning the tables for mathematics seemed like the biggest hurdle, and when weekends involved play dates with your class fellows. Now suddenly you are done with university, facing student loan repayments, responsible for your own apartment, own food, when evenings involve writing reports or rushing through jobs and sleep seems like a privilege. “I just grew up so fast, adults already” isn't that what you wonder?

Out of the many things, human life is one thing that cannot be classified to be static. It goes through various transitions, one of these transitions being teenage years to adulthood. Change cannot be ignored, it rather should be embraced. However, human beings have the quality to feel emotion and these emotions can often translate into depression for many adults. Depression not only prevents one to enjoy life but fills it with negativity that starts affecting sleep, appetite, relationships and physical health too. It can be far more serious than mood swings or the general sad feeling.

Depressed adults usually encounter feelings of low motivation, lack of energy and physical complains such as headaches. One starts to abandon normal everyday activities or activities that once excited them, social withdrawal and isolation starts, sleep patterns get affected and loss of self-worth occurs also. These emotions can lead to alcohol abuse, drug abuse or fixate one on suicide thoughts and death.

Depression isn't a fault in one’s self or weakness in character, it can be encountered by anyone at any point in time based on past or current circumstances. Adult depression is common because as people change into adults they sometimes face loss, rejection, changes in relationships, career ups and downs and responsibility increase. Together these factors affect one’s mood.

Here are some of the many ways adults can cope and overcome depression:

• Positivity can overthrow the negativity being felt.

• Exercise is a great cure for depression because of the happy hormones it releases. Exercise also challenges one, thus helping them change their perception about their own self-worth.

• A healthy diet and a good sleeping pattern.

• Connecting with others, a good social circle can also create a change in one’s life. 

• Daily life pressures exist and they might worsen but organizing schedules and planning in advance maintain a balance and lowers stress levels. 

Being an adult is tough but believing in your inner strength will make adulthood workable. Embrace the change, build the positivity and enjoy life!

For more information on finding support click here.

For more information on depression and mental health click here.