Isn't depression just a fancy word for feeling a bit down?

Isn't depression just a fancy word for feeling a bit down?
Isn't depression just a fancy word for feeling a bit down

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety affect around 1 in 6 people at some stage of their life. Despite it being such a common problem, many sufferers wait months or even years before seeking help. There is still a misconception that depression is not something that needs to be taken seriously and that you can shake it off, if only you pull yourself together.

But clinical depression is a severe illness that affects both the mind and the body. If left untreated, depression can lead to relationship problems and increases the risk of difficulties with drugs or alcohol. It also takes its toll on physical health, often leading to insomnia, weight gain or loss and slower recovery from heart disease and strokes.

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from severe depression, it's essential to seek medical advice. A course of anti-depressants and possibly therapy might well be needed to improve their mental health.

Bach flowers mix 65: Dejection

Bach flowers mix 65 helps to:

  • Bring light back into your life and make the dark clouds disappear 
  • Bring meaning back into life 
  • Be more attentive to life 
  • Believe in yourself again 
  • Block reoccurring thoughts of suicide out of your mind
Discover how Bach flowers mix 65 can help you

How people talk themselves out of seeking help for depression

It can be difficult to recognise depression in yourself. There are many excuses people make to rationalise the way they feel, including:

I'm just stressed

You don't believe you're depressed; it's just that your life has hit a rough patch. Your kids are acting up, work's going crazy, and the house looks like a disaster zone. These are all reasons for feeling stressed, true enough.

But what you might not realise is that anxiety and depression (these conditions often go hand in hand) come with symptoms that can make you feel like your life is swirling out of your control. You might find that your sleep patterns are disrupted so that you have insomnia, or you may oversleep. You can find yourself unable to focus on tasks and that your responses are less sharp.

Even if you feel that it's your situation that's making you feel this way, anxiety and depression might be making you feel worse. If you find yourself feeling very stressed for two weeks or more, then you should bear in mind that there might be something else simmering in the background.

I'm a high achiever

The stereotype of a depressed person is someone unproductive and listless, who struggles with daily life and avoids interacting with family and friends. However, mental health issues take many forms, and someone who always seems to be busy can also be trying to cope with anxiety or depression.

Constant socialising or work allows them to feel in control and distracts them from having to address their mental turmoil. Perhaps you're always working but don't feel like you're ever getting near your goal, or you find it hard to accept praise for your achievements? Take a step back and ask yourself whether your constant partying or hard work masks your real problems.

I'm not always sad

Suffering from depression done' t mean you feel overwhelming melancholy 24/7; on the contrary, you might not have any powerful feelings at all. Many people experience depression as the absence of emotions, a sense of numbness, apathy or emptiness that seems inescapable.

One of the critical questions when diagnosing depression is whether you have noticed a lack of pleasure or interest in the things you used to enjoy. If your answer is "yes", then the implication is clear, but you might also be less specific. Depression can develop gradually and almost unnoticed. A response such as "Maybe" or "I'm not sure", could be a sign that you need to take action.

I always feel the same

When you've been feeling sad or anxious for months or even years, there's a risk that you rationalise and dismiss each symptom. As you struggle on and cope, depression becomes your "new normal". But feeling sad, angry or numb all the time is far from normal.

If a bad mood, numbness or feeling blue affects your ability to function at home or work, or persists for more than two weeks, this is the point at which your gloominess might cross the line into clinical depression, and you should seek help.

I'm not considering suicide

It's true that having suicidal thoughts are a symptom sometimes experienced by people going through a mental health crisis. If you are thinking about suicide, you're definitely unwell. But just as with physical health, there are degrees of severity in mental illness. You can be experiencing depression and anxiety without feeling suicidal or self-harming. If you recognise in yourself any of the symptoms of depression that we've described, talk to someone about your state of mind.

Treating mild to moderate depression

If you're suffering from mild to moderate depression, there are many steps that you can take to improve your mood. Get some exercise, preferably outdoors in the fresh air, cut back on alcohol and make sure you eat healthily. These simple measures should also help you to sleep better. While you might feel like hiding away from the world, try to socialise with friends and family as often as you can.

How can Bach flowers help?

Depression is an insidious condition that can have a severe impact on your mental and physical health. It can be difficult to treat because it might not just be a single episode but can recur without warning. Bach flower essences contain pure flower extracts to treat a range of mental and physical health issues. Bach Flower Mix 65 helps to boost your mood and banish gloomy thoughts. There are also Flower Mixes designed to treat specific symptoms that can be linked to depression, such as Bach Flower Mix 61 for loss of appetite and Bach Flower Mix 87 for insomnia. Bach Flower Mixes are completely safe to take and have no side effects, so you can stop and start a course of treatment whenever you need support.


Marie Pure

Other articles


Top 5 nonsensical reasons to have doubts about yourself

Top 5 nonsensical reasons to have doubts about yourself

It happens to everyone at times: we start doubting ourselves. We worry about the decisions and whether we can face future challenges that life has in store. And sometimes we feel that we just aren't good enough.

Read the complete article

goede-voornemens

A new year, a new me

It’s such a positive thing to do and hope springs eternal, so why not commit yourself to a change this year? Here’s our tips on how to stick to your new year’s resolutions.

Read the complete article

Let's make 2021 better than 2020

Let's make 2021 better than 2020

For many people, 2020 has been one of the worst years they can remember. The COVID -19 pandemic and social unrest have changed our lives in ways we would not have believed possible a year ago. And when January 2021 comes around, we're still likely to be facing many challenges. Can 2021 be a better year?

Read the complete article

Stop worrying and live in the moment

Stop worrying and live in the moment

People spend so much of their time regretting the past and worrying about the future. But it’s not worth it! Even what happened yesterday doesn't matter anymore! Let go of the past and the future and make the most of every moment.

Read the complete article

7 Reasons Why Your Child is Underperforming

7 Reasons Why Your Child is Underperforming

As parents, we often worry about a poor school report as much, if not more, as our kids do! And if your child's grades are slipping, you'll be looking for reasons and if there's anything you can do to help.

Read the complete article

5 Signs of narcissistic perversion

5 Signs of narcissistic perversion

Narcissism is a term we often see these days. But what does it mean? It's used to describe a person who is full of themselves or overly vain. However, it's not really about self-love.

Read the complete article

Do you 'Musturbate' too much

Do you 'Musturbate' too much?

Do you suffer from a disorder known as "musturbation"? This term was first coined in the 1950s by psychotherapist Albert Ellis and described the way a negative inner voice rules our minds and bludgeons us with words such as "must", "should", and "ought".

Read the complete article

12 easy ways to get people to like you

12 easy ways to get people to like you

Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.

Read the complete article

Find out if you're suffering from imposter syndrome

Find out if you're suffering from imposter syndrome

Do you sometimes feel your achievements are not the result of your hard work and skill but are just luck? And do you fear that one day, someone will reveal you as an imposter or fraud? You might have imposter syndrome!

Read the complete article

5 tips to survive autumn healthily

5 tips to survive autumn healthily

We simply can’t avoid noticing the changes all around us. Autumn is here... Autumn is also called a transitional season. Slowly and steadily, it prepares us for the transition...

Read the complete article

Free personal advice for your problem?

Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.

tom vermeersch
Tom Vermeersch

Yes, I want free advice

No thanks, I will do my own research