Depression can lead to suicide – Let’s be aware of it

Today’s post isn’t going to be a happy one at all, and I apologise for that. I want to address something that I think needs to be taken more seriously. I’m not saying no one takes it seriously, but not many people are aware. This is a really heavy subject for me and I’m sure for many others, but today, it’s extremely heavy for me.

I can’t tell you how much pain I feel when I hear the word ‘suicide’.
I can’t understand what goes through people’s mind when they think of ending their life.
All I know, is we need to be more aware and help those who need help as much as we can. Whether that be giving them a number they can call or sitting down with them and talking.
No one deserves to think they need to end their life.
No one deserves unhappiness or living in a state of not even wanting to live anymore.

Today I got a phone call, one I wish I never got. My mum rang me to tell me that someone who was once a big part of my life had ended his life. His son, who only turned 1 not long ago, won’t grow up with his dad. My friend, won’t get to watch his son grow up.
I don’t know why he did it and I never will know why. All I know, is he felt he couldn’t live anymore, so he left, and that hurts me.

According to the internet, approximately 1 million people commit suicide a year – that is about 1 death every 40 seconds, or 3,000 per day. Can you believe that?
Suicide is no joke.
Depression effects more people than we think. Some may not realise they have it and some choose to hide it. But it’s everywhere and that scares me.

I honestly can’t tell you how I feel today. I’m numb. It’s effected me more than I thought it would and I just can’t get my head around it.
I wish there was an easy way around it, to go back in time maybe, so whatever he was feeling, he could get help. He could maybe beat the bad thoughts that he had and not take the easy way out.

There are different types of depression that I think we all need to be aware of. You never know, it could hit your children, parents, friends, anyone close to you and you won’t know it. Sometimes, you won’t realise a person has it until it’s too late. Let’s not let that happen.
I will provide below the types of depression and the symptoms for each one. If you think you know someone who has it and they aren’t aware or just not speaking up and trying to deal with it on their own, please provide help for them in any way possible.
That’s all they need – to feel loved, worthy of living, to know they can talk to someone, to know that life can be beautiful – it’s not always a dark cloud.

Types of Depression:

MAJOR DEPRESSION
You might, or someone you know might have this type if you feel depressed most of the time for most days of the week.
Symptoms are:
– Loss of interest or pleasure in your activities.
– Weight-loss or gain.
– Trouble getting to sleep or feeling sleepy through the day.
– Feelings of being ‘sped up’ or ‘slowed down’
– Being tired and without energy.
– Feeling worthless or guilty.
– Troubles concentrating or making decisions.
– Thoughts of suicide.

PERSISTENT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
If you have depression that lasts for 2 years or longer, it’s called persistent depressive disorder. It used to be called Dysthymia.
Symptoms are:
– Change in your appetite. (not eating enough or overeating.)
– Sleep too much or too little.
– Lack of energy or fatigue.
– Low self-esteem.
– Trouble concentrating or making decisions.
– Feeling hopeless.

PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION
People with psychotic depression have the symptoms of major depression along with ‘psychotic’ symptoms, such as:
– Hallucinations. (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.)
– Delusions. (false beliefs.)
– Paranoia. (wrongly believing that others are trying to harm you.)

PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER (PMDD)
Women with PMDD have depression and other symptoms at the start of periods.
Besides feeling depressed, other symptoms are:
– Mood swings.
– Irritability.
– Anxiety.
– Trouble concentrating.
– Fatigue.
– Change in appetite or sleep habits.
– Feelings of being overwhelmed.

ATYPICAL DEPRESSION
This type is different from the persistent sadness of typical depression. If you have atypical depression, a positive event can temporarily improve your mood.
Symptoms are:- Increased appetite.
– Sleeping more than usual.
– Feelings of heaviness in your arms and legs.
– Oversensitive to criticism.

So these are some of the types of depression. As you can see, there are actually quite a few.
I really think we all need to be aware of this and the symptoms. It could really save a life.
I am no expert on depression. I’m just a person who has been through losing someone close due to it. I’m reaching out, and offering help to those who aren’t aware of it. If I can help someone, help a loved one or someone they know save a life, I will.

Suicide and depression is not a joke. It should always be taken seriously.

Rest in peace to all those who have felt the need to end their life. I hope wherever you are, you have found some kind of peace.

Love,