The Healing Journey

June 27, 2023

“I wanted to talk about it. Damn it. I wanted to scream. I wanted to yell. I wanted to shout. But all I could was whisper, “I’m fine.”
– Unknown

It’s a common practice for healthcare providers to ask elderly people when they go for their physical, “Are you having feelings of depression?” Even if they are depressed, they nonetheless respond, “No, not at all,” because they worry about saying, “Yes, I am.” They fear that will go on their medical record, and they’ll be encouraged to seek counseling, and who knows what else.

After the death of a spouse, one-third of widows and widowers can be classified as depressed for the first month, and half are clinically depressed after the first year. Each year, up to 9 percent of the population will suffer the loss of a close family member, and depression is one of the most common symptoms of grief. Depression is more than just being sad. Depression can immobilize you. Depression is common after a loss, but when it persists for several months, it becomes “clinical depression” and it’s necessary to get help.

It can even turn into “major depression,” which is accompanied by a loss of appetite, lack of energy and emotional numbness. Be truthful if you are suffering depression. You won’t be able to cure it on your own, but help is available. People who have experienced the sudden loss of a loved one through violence or suicide are especially prone to suffer major depression and sometimes post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to Harvard Health: “People suffering from major depression tend to be isolated and feel disconnected from others, and may shun support and assistance. People who don’t get support, or who avoid it, may be at greater risk for slipping into clinical depression during the grieving process.”

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If you are suffering from depression, be honest about it and share your feelings with someone.