It can be more than an inconvenience to your social life and daily schedule; it can affect your physical health, too. And while it’s not unusual to feel the occasional blue day, if you or someone you know struggles with depression, you might want to consider seeking help from a medical professional or mental health counselor to help figure out what’s going on and how best to tackle it.
Here are some reasons why depression may be especially difficult in young adults.
Depression is a very common mental disorder that can be challenging for the sufferer and their loved ones. It's unfortunate that depression isn't always well understood, as many people who struggle with it feel misunderstood, like they're crazy or not good enough. The following are four things you need to know about depression:
1) Depression is real and not just feeling sad. It's much more than being bummed out for a few days.
2) Some people have genetic predispositions to developing depression.
3) Depression can lead to other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
4) There are treatments for depression which help bring balance back into life.
The stigma of mental illness
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, and it is also one of the most difficult ones to overcome. One reason for this difficulty could be the stigma surrounding depression. When we hear people talk about depressed or depressive behavior, they often make it sound like a choice or even worse, something that can be fixed with willpower alone. This perspective leads many people who are struggling with depression to feel isolated and misunderstood.
The pressure to be perfect
It can be easy for young adults who are still trying to find themselves, or struggling with their pasts, to feel like they need to be perfect all the time. And while we know that's not possible, it's not a difficult feeling for young adults because of how much pressure they're under. Not only do people expect them to succeed at everything but depression and anxiety have a strong grip on them too. The pressure of trying to be perfect all the time is what makes overcoming depression so hard for young adults.
The Comparison Game
Depression can be hard for anyone to overcome, but for young adults it seems impossible. This is largely due to the comparison game that we all play with ourselves. We compare our pasts, presents and futures with those of others. People often forget that everyone's story and journey are different, even though they may seem similar on the outside.
When you start comparing your life to someone else's, you'll find yourself feeling like everything is worse than theirs. It's important to remember that what works for one person might not work for another. A therapist will help you figure out what does work for you as an individual and make plans accordingly.
The isolation of social media
Social media can be a great tool for connecting with others, but it also leads to feelings of isolation. People tend to spend more time scrolling through their feeds than actually interacting with the people they know in real life. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, which then leads depression. It's important that you find ways of balancing your use of social media so you don't feel like you're sacrificing either social connection or a sense of personal identity and happiness.
Here at Blue Oak Counseling Services, we can help you overcome feeling of depression so you can have a calm and peaceful mind. Contact us today to speak with one of our caring providers.