1in4

I heard this statistic today - #1in4 of us will experience mental health issues.

A while ago (8 years ago) I was having a rough time. The short version is that I had my first major depressive episode and my health was declining, mainly through apathy. Did I make it through because I have an amazing family or because I have strong friends or because I have faith in God? I did (and still do) have all those things, but I wasn't reaching out. Rather, I was just going through the motions of college life while my health was shutting down. The turning point for me was one person.

There was someone (not even sure who) who saw that I was not handling things well, and they got me set up with a counselor. This person connected me to the help that I needed. Having someone to talk to, who will listen and will help you get your focus back where it should be (on God), is what helped me pull out of my spiral and get back to fully functioning.

Getting help is important, but in my case I couldn't see clearly enough to know I needed to get help. Whoever it was that got me to help is the hero in my story.

One in four people will experience mental health issues. But the other three in four can try to notice the one, and either get that one to help or be the help that that person needs. Be cognizant of yourself and of those around you.

Believe
there is
good
in the world.

1 Kings 19

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
1-800-273-8255

Chronic Pain and Holidays

Chronic pain and holidays

It sucks.

Many people suffer from chronic pain. You learn to live with it mainly because you have no other choice; you learn your triggers and try to avoid them, but some triggers (like weather or calendar events) cannot be avoided. And sometimes your pain decides to flare up on a holiday. 

I get migraines. I got one on Christmas; it was really rough. My amazing husband helped me through it, and I have some medicine that allowed me to be mostly functional, but it was still a hard day. You are supposed to be happy on Christmas, and everyone else was happy, and I had every reason to be happy, but I was not; I was in pain. I am grateful that I was functional enough to get out of bed and try to enjoy the day - going to the in-laws' house, seeing family, opening presents - but I was not all the way present. I had to excuse myself a few times to go to a quiet part of the house and turn off some lights and try to unwind, hoping that would make the headache release but it did not. Thankfully the migraine went away the following day so I was able to engage with family for the rest of the weekend. 

If you suffer from chronic pain, know that you're not alone. Some can hide it better than others, but many are fighting that battle. Speaking about it can help; also reaching out to someone close to you can be beneficial. Remember to take care of yourself.

Doldrums vs Storms

It is better to struggle with depression rather than just give in. But when you are in the doldrums, it seems that struggling is futile. That makes it all the more difficult.
Storms are clearly dangerous, and people realize how bad they can be. People encourage you when you're struggling through a storm. We have songs and poems about the storms of life and all that. A storm gives you something to fight, something to overcome, and in the end you can talk about how you weathered a mighty storm.
From the outside it seems that doldrums are much easier than storms. Doldrums are calm and seem peaceful. But that's the danger - you get stuck in the doldrums and you can't get out without outside help. Doldrums are quiet and seem like non-events. Many people struggling through the doldrums are just as silent as the doldrums. There is no clear enemy to fight or challenge to overcome, and nobody talks about how they weathered through the doldrums.
In the end, we need to realize that the doldrums are just as dangerous as a full-out storm. Just ask the Ancient Mariner.

And further, here are some comics that capture the frustrations of depression.