It’s a no brainer in telling you that trauma causes depression. It might not happen directly after a traumatic experience (especially if there’s an element of denial). Overall, a traumatic event will change you, shape you and create you. But as it does this, you’ll experience a low mood – depression for quite some time. You certainly won’t feel very creative. You may think that that your life will never be the same. You may feel very afraid and that you have no control over what is happening around you – causing panic attacks, which is a very disabling situation. I have been there many times before.
Most people have some stress-related reactions after a traumatic event. Some go on to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but not everyone gets this. If your reactions don’t go away, and these feelings are disrupting your life, you may have PTSD.
PTSD
Did you know that many symptoms of depression and anxiety overlap with the symptoms of PTSD. For example, in both PTSD and depression, you may have trouble sleeping or keeping your mind focused or lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. It’s quite possible to experience PTSD along with depression or anxiety.
The best way to help yourself is to speak to someone – anyone, but a professional working in this area would be more beneficial. I’ve learnt that the best was to beat these feelings throughout life is to learn to be fully present with the way I feel. For example, ‘anxiety’ liked to pull on the worse case scenario, cause you to overthink and overreact. The best thing to do is to learn to reassure yourself as much as it takes (everyday, twice a day) to feel grounded again – to feel safe. Make sure you talk to others, break the stigma of depression and anxiety.
Creating A Routine
I’ve found that by creating a nourishing routine has helped a lot, as I believe that anxiety thrives off chaos and feelings of self-doubt. A good routine that helps you feel grounded and safe really can help ease anxiety.
And last but not least good old mindfulness – who doesn’t love it? I do it daily as part of my grounding, I do it before bed, and in those 5 minutes in the morning before I’m jumped on by my 5 year old! So if you can focus on the current moment and just ‘be’ you’re self soothing your mind you are already beating the blues of feelings of low mood, and worry.
If you have read this post, and you feel alone please get in touch with me through my contacts page. I’m no doctor, but I sure have had life experience in low mood, and I am here to help YOU.
Lots of love & light
Gemma 💜
