You Are Not Alone

Grief, Depression, and Anxiety many times goes hand in hand. Grief can occur due to any loss not just death. The loss of a job, the loss or ending of a relationship or marriage, a decline in your health and not being able to do and live in the way that you used to, the loss of your freedom or independence, or just the loss of a dream or goal you had made for yourself. Before the end of the 20th century it was common to wear black to outwardly show the world that you were in mourning, typically your wore black for 12 months to 18 months. The wearing of black told the world that you had experienced a great loss and still struggling with it, therefore the world was kind and understanding while you mourned your loss. Now a days we are given 3 days off from work and then required to get back to life and be done grieving the loss. Research shows that there is a 5 stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining depression and acceptance and also tells us that the typical grief period lasts between 2 and 4 years.

Depression can lasts longer than the initial onset of grief. There are many types of depression which can begin due to events in your life or chemical or hormonal changes in your body. Major Depression occurs if you feel depressed most of the time for the most of the days of the week. Persistent Depressive Disorder is depression that lasts for 2 years or longer. This can be listed as either Dysthymia or Chronic Major Depression. Bipolar Disorder, which is also called manic depression, has mood episodes that range from extremes of high energy with an "up" mood to low "depressive" moods. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a period of major depression that typically occurs during the winter. Psychotic Depression has the symptoms of Major Depression but with "psychotic" symptoms. Postpartum Depression occurs in the weeks and months after childbirth. PremenstrualDysphoric Disorder (PMDD) occurs in women who have depression and other symptoms at the start of their menstrual cycle. Situational Depression is not a technical term in psychology but it typically occurs when you are having trouble dealing with a stressful situation in life. This may also be referred to "stress response syndrome". Atypical Depression is depression that is considered to be a specifier because it describe a pattern of depressive symptoms. True atypical depression will see a temporary improvement in one's mood when a positive event occurs.

Anxiety is normal in stressful situations but when it becomes excessive, all consuming and it is interfering with the activities of daily life it is typically symptomatic of an underlying problem. Anxiety can present as a overwhelming sense of fear and many times can come out of no where as a panic or anxiety attack which affects you physically and may present as nausea, sweating profusely, rapid breathings and some times with symptoms that mimic a heart attack. Anxiety can be seen in worrying about a situation or when a certain thought possesses your every waking moment.

I have personally experienced grief due to the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship and the loss of a job. Many times well meaning friends will try to comfort you by saying "time heals all wounds" or "it will get better with time". The truth is that when it comes to grief it doesn't get better, you don't get over it, but life does get different and with help and the strength of God walking with you, you can get through it. To get through our grief and the symptoms of depression and anxiety, we must learn coping skills and techniques to help us decrease these symptoms. God has promised us to not only be with us through this process but to give us strength, to wipe away our tears and to heal our hearts (Psalms 147:3). If you are struggling with grief, depression or anxiety, you do not have to walk this path alone. There are tried and true psychological techniques to help you not only cope but to live again. If you want to find hope, encouragement, and comfort this can be found through God's guidance inHis Word and through the help of a confident Biblical Counselor who will not only listen to you but be your mentor and friend during this process. All you need to do is to take the first step. Are you ready to start living instead of existing? Now is the time. Today is the day to begin to live and start your life anew.