Depression can cause you to feel a lot of things in a very heavy way. Unfortunately, some of those things aren’t the most pleasant. For example, you might feel unmotivated, hopeless, helpless, and melancholy. Without the inspiration, interest and passion you need to encourage you, you often just give up. Handing in the towel is often a source of shame for people struggling with recovery. They feel like they are worthless and unable to do anything. Feelings of guilt and shame are common with depression along with many mental illnesses. However, what many people with depression might not realize is that their seemingly unwillingness might be more of an upside to their mental illness than a downside to their mental illness.
Letting Go
Letting go is something most people struggle with. We hold onto things for too long, trying to manipulate and control them to the last ounce our energy will allow us to. Energy, time, and resource is wasted when we hold onto things which are not serving us and don’t help us. We fight for what we cannot achieve and put our focus in the wrong areas. Though people with depression feel like they are failing, they are actually succeeding in doing something that takes years for even those who do not have mental illness to learn how to do.
According to The New York Post, a recent study in Germany found that giving in is not always the same thing as the negative connotation of giving up what make it seem. Quoting a lead on the study, The Post cites that “Depression is adaptive because it sensitizes a person to detect possible limits of personal agency and influence, and thus helps them to realize and accept that successful pursuit of a goal, a task, or an incentive might not be feasible…” Instead of framing this as pessimism, the professor explains, it is actually a step toward recognizing what can be approached with more optimism.
Identifying Depression
Depression is a clinical diagnosis of symptoms which persist for a long period of time. More than passing sadness or a stage of grief, clinical depression affects both the physical body and the psychological mind.
If you are struggling with depression and co-occurring substance use disorders to cope, call LEAD Recovery Center today. Our intensive outpatient treatment programs are designed to help you transition from treatment to independent living. Your diagnosis does not have to be your downfall. We’re here to help you make it an asset. For more information call 800-380-0012.
