Depression permeates throughout everything in your life, affecting your daily routine. It can't be slipped into a box and locked away when required. It is like a heavy weight pressing inside of you and life seems to be a world of grey rather than one of hope and colour. All the everyday tasks that were once so easy, seem like impossible jobs. In essence it is like you are "going through the motions" simply existing. It is an illness that can't be ignored. Below are examples of how depression can affect your daily routine.
* Tiredness
In severe cases, even lifting yourself up out of bed may be extremely difficult. An overwhelming sense of exhaustion sweeps over you regardless of whether you've hardly had any sleep due to panic attacks, or you have had too much sleep. If you do not work and stay at home then you may find yourself staying in bed longer than usual, wondering how you are going to cope with the day. If you work, you may find yourself struggling to arrive at work on time. Your output may be slower and you may find yourself needing time off work.
* Lack of concentration
People in the home or workplace suddenly find themselves unable to concentrate. At home you might forget an errand that needed carrying out or find yourself unable to listen to what your spouse or children are saying. At work, any paperwork might take far longer than it normally does, or may be littered with errors such as incorrect figures or information. When asked to do something you may find that you need reminding several times or you have to ask for confirmation asking. "What was it you wanted me to finish?" Due to this lack of concentration it can lead to losing your motivation and lead to helplessness.
* Helplessness.
At home you feel out of control, that nothing is going the way you desire. If you are late waking up and the plans you had for the day have gone wrong, this can leave you feeling helpless that whatever you do never goes right. At work it may be that all the targets you have seem like a huge mountain that you just can't climb whilst everyone simply breezes right through them. This is linked to having low self-esteem.
*Low self-esteem
Feeling helpless and being unable to concentrate causes anxiety. Negative thoughts such as "I can't do anything right," or "Why am I so stupid?" become part of a vicious circle. You are feeling terrible, your work becomes difficult leading to a lack of control that again makes you question your self-worth. Due to the fact that your self-esteem is shattered and needs rebuilding it can cause mood swings.
*Mood swings
A change in mood affects everyones routine. Every action that appears to go wrong, may cause irritability or sadness. Something as frustrating as running out of milk, or forgetting to post a letter, may cause irrational behaviour. Suddenly you find yourself crying or becoming annoyed at the small pressures in everyday life that are taking their toll. The important document your boss requires that is still sitting on your kitchen table or hasn't been completed may make you cry. All of this is due to the depression you are experiencing and the negative cycle it brings.
Depression is debilitating and it affects everything in your routine. There are many times when people are unaware that the anxiety they are experiencing is depression. If you are unsure whether or not you are depressed then visit your doctor. This website explains the symptoms of depression. Below are some useful websites that will provide you with explanations of depression, phone numbers and guidance.
Helpful Websites
The Samaritans
Depression.com
Healthy place.com