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by Sandy
Pendleton, MFT
Have you ever said, "I'm depressed?" It
is a common expression these days but do you really know the
signs and symptoms of Depression? Ask yourself these questions:
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Have you lost interest in things
that used to be fun or give you pleasure—such as
sex? |
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Do you ever feel sad or empty most
of the day, for many days in a row? Are you tearful
or find yourself crying a lot? |
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Has your appetite increased or
decreased significantly resulting in a weight gain or
loss without your conscious efforts? |
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Have your sleep patterns changed?
Are you not sleeping as well or sleeping too much? |
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Do you feel restless or agitated
to the point of upset? Or are you feeling like you just
can't get going? |
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Are you tired or at a loss for
energy most of the time? Is it a challenge to even get
out of bed or off the couch? |
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Do you constantly wrestle with
feelings of worthlessness or guilt? |
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Is it hard to concentrate or make
decisions? Even the simple ones? |
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Do you ever think others would be
better off if you were dead? Have you ever thought of
killing yourself? |
| If you can answer yes to five
of these points for any two-week period, then you may
be experiencing what is clinically called Major Depression.
If you struggle with similar symptoms only to a lesser
degree and they have lasted for at least two years,
you may be suffering from a milder form of depression
called Dysthymic Disorder. Depression left unattended
can have serious consequences and may require outside
intervention. |
Numbing Out
The darkness can make you numb. Many times women become disconnected
from their bodies and are not really sure why. Depression
can take a heavy toll on your desire for closeness, cuddling
and especially sex. When even the idea of having sex becomes
overwhelming, it can turn a once joyful experience into one
of dread. Some women are so numb they end up just going through
the motions of sex because it is too much trouble to say,
"I don't want to" anymore.
Reconnecting
It can be helpful to reconnect with your body, your interests,
and your sense of self. If sex seems like too much giving
at the moment, you might want to try getting a massage or
some energetic Reiki. Both can be helpful and nurturing experiences
to help you reconnect with your body. Think about some of
the things that used to bring you pleasure and make a date
to go do one or two again soon. It is also important to reconnect
with your own inner wisdom. Sometimes it gets drowned out
by the constant nagging of not enough, fear and doubt—
but it is in there somewhere. Listen for the soft, quiet voice
that brings you peace and reassurance.
Now What?
There are many things that can help if Depression is taking
over your life. The first step is to see your doctor to check
for organic causes in your body, such as a problem with your
thyroid, hormones, toxins, or allergies. Although a loss of
desire for sex is definitely a symptom of Depression it can
also indicate other problems, check out the Libido-Yours
Mine and Ours section in Women's
Sexual Health for more information. Once a physical problem
has been ruled out you may be advised to get some psychological
help. Remember to tune into your own inner wisdom to help
you find the right professionals. Click
here to get tips on finding a good therapist.
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