Frieda Ferrick’s Blog

Most people at some time in their lives, will have some episode of the blues.  Some event can leave you reeling with sadness, the loss of a relationship, marriage, the death of a loved one, a job, your health or a pet.  It takes time to process and to grief.

Sometimes it feels like you are struggling with depression that doesn’t seem to have rhyme or reason.  Everything looks good, yet you might be feeling like you can’t get up, dress, leave the house or go to work.   Life seems flat and you can’t figure out what to do  next.  This might be the time to get professional help.  A medical evaluation to rule out any physical health issues is the first step.   This is an important step because there are certain physical conditions that can be linked with depression.  Also, for some people being evaluated then using an anti-depressant can help alievate some of the symptoms that you may have been dealing with.   Working with a mental health professional is the second step. Using medication by itself is not the total answer.  Together medication and therapy can work for long term relief.

Perhaps being depressed can lead to working on issues that have been below the surface and now refuses to go away.  That’s why the question, depression, friend or foe, can be an important consideration for you to think about.  Depression is no picnic, no joke, yet, taking time to heal can ultimately lead you to reaching out and receiving the help you deserve.

 Do you feel butterflies in your stomach?  Are you feeling stressed?  Do you struggle with fear that  seems to taking over your life?  You might be experiencing what it feels like to be anxious.

     Anxiety is a symptom that lets you know that all is not well with your body, mind and spirit.  Its symptoms can be physical and also create emotional turmoil.

Physical symptoms can be shallow breathing, racing pulse, trouble catching your breath.  Emotionally when anxious it is difficult to calm down, be present  and to concentrate on any given task.

     Taking time to pay attention to what is going on in your life is crucial to help allievate some of these symptoms.  Breathing helps to feel more grounded, connected and calm, listening to peaceful music,  meditation tapes and participating in regular exercise can also be very helpful.

     Another symptom that is not usually talked about in connection with anxiety is boredom.  Boredom can disguise what is truly going on and take your mind off  of being anxious.  It really can be anxiety that is making you feel antsy, roaming around looking for something to do.

     When people struggle with the big questions of life, such as what is the meaning of life? Is there a higher power, and  does God exist?  Not knowing the answers can create feelings of anxiety.  People who are sure of the answers might not have as many symptoms of anxiety as those who question and don’t feel clear within themselves about the answers.

     It can be helpful to slow down in your life, pay attention, to what is going on in your life and what is going on inside of you.   If it feels as though you need more than self introspection,  it may be time to get professional help.  Talking to a trained professional can be very useful in figuring out why you are being plagued with these symptoms.    It  can be a therapist, a teacher, a religious leader who can help you figure out what makes sense to you and what direction you might want to go.  All of this can lead to more feelings of peace and less feelings of anxiety.