FINDING JOY AGAIN

We've all had those times when our moods are quite low and finding it difficult to engage with others, seeking solitude to gather our thoughts. Maybe it lasts for a few hours, or a day or so but slowly finding joy in our life begins again. But what happens if you get stuck in this low mood and nothing seems to be making you feel better?

Anyone of any age can be depressed so never think you will be immune from it. It can be triggered through life events, chemical changes in the body, childhood experiences, other mental health problems, genetic inheritance and through medication, drugs, alcohol.

Negative experiences are not the only reason you can develop depression, it can be how we deal with those experiences. If you dont have much support to help you cope with difficult emotions, or dealing with other difficult situations, you could find a low mood developing that could develop into depression.

I first experienced depression during my teens which was triggered by a traumatic event that has had a profound effect throughout my life . As a lot of us do when we feel something is wrong we take ourselves off to the doctors hoping for that quick fix.. little did i know that this was not going to be that easy to master and would continue throughout my life. I was given 10 minutes to describe my issues to the doctor. Of course this wasn't long enough and I brushed off my true feelings just saying I was feeling low in mood . After a few brief questions I was given a prescription of anti depressant medications and sent on my way. The anti depressants were awful during those first initial weeks, i felt sick, dizzy, tired, dry mouth to name but a few but i carried on as I wanted that sadness to go away and to be able to feel happier. After a few weeks the side effects started to ease off and my numbness, as i describe it started to take over . This numbness slowly took over my emotions, I would function in everyday tasks, I resumed work but I just didn't really have any highs and lows.....it was as if I was on cruise control but hey at least I was functioning again and that dreaded low state had eased. Now all I needed were the feelings of joy to return. This went on for months and when my review came up to see the doctor again I again put on my brave face as if everything was fine and the medications were working, got my prescription and off i went again to live this numb life I was carving out for myself. Its a shame the doctor didn't have the time to dig deeper into my emotional state. I got very good at showing others I was ok on the outside world but really inside I was lost. I remained on medications for years. Lots of life events later I took a turn for the worse and ended up back at the doctors in a distressing state. Again a brief discussion and another type of anti depressant, I was also offered 6 weeks of counselling. This took a while to come through and only when i did eventually get to have the 1:1 I needed I struggled to articulate to the therapist how I was really feeling. I didn't connect with him. My 6 weeks of counselling I was pinning all my hopes on, only chipped the tip of my problems. On numerous occasions I returned to the waiting list for more counselling but it was never long enough and having to repeat everything all the time was so frustrating. I was so fed up of this cycle of feeling that I wasn't being heard that I finally took matters into my own hands , I told my GP I was looking into alternative therapies and started to seek the help of a private therapist and alternative treatments . This was where the real breakthroughs appeared but it was hard. Having to face up to your inner thoughts and feelings really makes you sit up and take notice. I persevered along this path and eventually was able to come off my medications. It wasn't until I did this that I realised how little I actually had been feeling .. and how much that numbness or functioning on one level had become part of my every day life for years. My life now is managed with alternative therapies, talking therapies, meditations, journaling, practicing gratitude, healthy eating and maintaining a more holistic approach to all in my life. The joy has returned as I 've learnt to find balance in my life. Yes I still get lows but now have a better understanding of how it affects me and what I can do to help myself. It has opened up new opportunities to help people through the therapies I offer and I am drawn to people who are feeling lost and in that place I was, looking for additional ways to manage their whole being.

Depression doesn't ever go away completely but learning to manage is the key. Finding the route cause and facing it head on and finding what works for you . In my experience there is no one thing that fixes all. Take each day as it comes and try to live in the moment. Life experiences make us who we are.

There are many forms of therapy that may help which range from self help skills, talking therapies, alternative therapies, ECT and Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

The Mix Counselling Service - The Mix

Treatments | Mind

Complementary and alternative therapies can be used as a treatment for both physical and mental health problems. The particular problems that they can help will depend on the specific therapy that you are interested in, but many can help to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Some people also find they can help with sleep problems, relaxation and feelings of stress

.Alternative therapies include, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, EFT, Massage, Reiki, Yoga, Exercise, Meditation, Acupuncture and herbal remedies. There are many more.

*Never stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your GP