Sharing as a Tool and Way to Help Recovery
Have you noticed that when people are depressed or even going through a difficult period that they are self-absorbed? It is difficult to consider others when we’re focused on our own pain and suffering. We get stuck in our experience and can’t think about anyone else. We don’t mean to be self-centered, but out of our own pain we become preoccupied with our own discomfort.
During these times, we can have difficulty empathizing with others or reaching out to other people. We get stuck in a web of self-pity, a victim mentality and internally focused. All this is quite typical and in fact this self-focus is a symptom of depression.
Although there’s various tools that help us when we’re struggling with depression, one way of helping ourselves is by reaching out to help someone else. Although this is the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain, it really can shift your focus outside your own myopic way of looking at things.
Ask yourself: Is there someone else who can use your help? Can you volunteer to assist someone less fortunate? Can you offer to help a friend or relative? As you share your time and talents with someone else.. a funny thing happens, you often start to feel better and so does the person you are helping.
Try it and see if it works!
~ by ppdsus on October 10, 2011.
Posted in postpartum depression
Tags: Inspirational stories & positive changes, postpartum depression, women's mental health
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