When depression comes knocking...
Sunday, March 24, 2013As a to-the-core, dyed-in-the-wool, nature-and-nurture introvert, I cringe whenever there's a knock at a door. It doesn't matter if ...
Sunday, March 24, 2013
As a to-the-core, dyed-in-the-wool, nature-and-nurture introvert, I cringe whenever there's a knock at a door. It doesn't matter if it's the front door, the back door, the bathroom door (especially traumatizing) or the bedroom door. A knock at the door is sufficient cause for anxiety.
Yes, I can hear all my extroverted, optimistic friends now: "But it could be the Publisher's Clearing House prize van!" Uh-huh. Right. I don't believe you.
Yes, I can hear all my extroverted, optimistic friends now: "But it could be the Publisher's Clearing House prize van!" Uh-huh. Right. I don't believe you.
Like Jehovah's Witnesses checking off their territorial visits, the local team of Mormon missionaries-on-assignment, and slow-to-catch-on neighbors, depression tends to make repeat visits, coming back around and knocking at life's door at random intervals.
Some people (I find this hard to understand) have never been visited by depression, just like there are people who have never been called for jury duty. (Don't hate them, it's not their fault.) For the REST of us, however, it's important to have a plan for dealing with depression when it comes a'knocking.
1. Know your triggers.
2. Realize you are under attack.
3. Protect yourself.
4. Take positive action.
None of this is medical or scientific... it's just common sense. But it's common sense I have to remind myself of every time that wicked knock reverberates through my soul. Perhaps by writing it down I'll be able to commit it to memory this time, and perhaps it will help someone, somewhere.
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