Depression


Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

  • Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
  • Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Loss of energy or increased fatigue
  • Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression not only affects our mood but also our ability to think, feel and work. When something causes deep emotional pain, we feel stressed which causes depression. In case of DMD moms, when we come to know that our child is having a rare disease which is not curable and its other consequences or effects, it's very obvious to feel shocked and depressed. It's natural to be depressed and that’s ok because we are human beings and have feelings and emotions. It's just a phase and we have to come out of it as soon as possible otherwise it will start affecting our kids. If we are in depression then it impacts our kid directly, do we want that? of course not. Then we have to work on ourselves to come out from depression.
Acceptance: - First of all acceptance is very important. Once we accept it, then only we can think further and choose the path accordingly.
Ignorance: - Stop worrying about what people will say about my child. Let them speak, just ignore them because they are not aware about our challenges.
Sharing: It's important to talk and share your thoughts with someone because it helps emotionally. Stay connected with family and friends. For facing challenges of a DMD mom its very important to be emotionally strong.
Confidence:Be confident that I can handle this situation for my child and remain strong always.
Engagement:Always stay in present and work accordingly instead of thinking only about future problems of our children, it will make your life a little bit easy and happy.
Happiness:Do whatever gives you happiness, it might be your hobby or any activity that relaxes you, like reading your favourite books or dancing on your favourite song. Spare some time for yourself so that by being happy and energetic you can take better care of your child.
Spirituality: It helps in bringing calmness and peace which increases our stamina and strength to face the different challenges. You can be spiritual by any means you like. Listening to good music, bhajans, mantras and chanting them along with your child. Learning meditation and practicing it. It really helps a lot. Stay close to nature visit natural places which gives you peace and a feeling of gratitude. It refreshes you to face the challenges of life with more energy and endurance. Focus on “what our children can do instead of what they can't. Continue their education by all means because “knowledge is the key to success”. Education makes them financially independent and they will feel more confident.