Bearded Iris for Depression Awareness
Depression Awareness Month is every October
Many people say that empathy is putting yourself in other people’s shoes, but I disagree. I think it is too easy to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and judge them for not acting or reacting as you would. Empathizing with people who struggle with depression can be difficult, because we are all sad sometimes. However, the duration and intensity of sadness is different when it’s actually depression.
Depression has several causes, and can last anywhere from several months to years. Sometimes depression stems from brain chemistry, hormonal changes, and/ or as a reaction to life experiences.
If you or someone you know experiences the following symptoms for more than two weeks, please consider getting evaluated for depression:
- Pervasive sadness most of the day
- Lack of interest in hobbies
- Feeling irritable or anxious
- Sleep issues
- Appetite changes
- Body aches
- Brain fog
- Feeling worthless
- Self harm or thinking of self harm
Friends and family are often a great help when the issue is sadness! Some people respond really well to encouragement from friends when they’re sad. However, depression is best treated by a trained professional. Helping someone through depression can be an intense process, and honestly many friends and family tend to think that inspiring conversations, or finding a silver lining will help- it doesn’t. In fact, conversations that steer towards happiness and optimism are invalidating to a person’s experience. If someone comes into the ER claiming that they want to hurt themselves- we don’t remind them of what is probably going right in their life- we believe them and have the hard conversations that include asking them about their plans for self harm.
Depression takes many forms, including major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, post partum depression, and seasonal affective disorder. Getting treatment is crucial for a healthy quality of life, and there are a variety of options available. This may include medication, therapy, or a combination of therapy and medication. You need to have honest conversations with your provider, who is hopefully someone you trust.
If going the route of medication, DO NOT STOP YOUR MEDS! So many people start to feel better and stop their medications- if you felt better it is because your medication worked, so keep taking it! If your medication didn’t help, tell your doctor so they can properly help you stop taking it and maybe try another medication.
If using therapy, make sure you are comfortable with your therapist. Some people you’ll click with, and some you won’t. If your employer offers EAP services, use it! EAP services often include a few free therapy sessions to get you started. Many out of network therapists do not file to insurance and will expect you to file- try to find someone in network if you can, to make the process easier. You can find a provider in network by calling your medical insurance carrier or by going to their website.
Click the link below to find more information:
Depression Awareness Month occurs every October and uses a green ribbon color. I created this oil painting of a garden of Blue Bearded Iris to honor those who have ever had depression.
I chose blue irises because many people associate blue with sadness, but I also love how these plants have gorgeous deep hues with a contrast of white and bright yellow, which most people associate with happiness. Just because someone has depression doesn’t mean they can never have happiness or hope, as I tried to convey with the colors of the irises in this painting. I incorporated the green ribbon color in the highlights of some of the flower petals.
The background has black from top to bottom, broken up by iris leaves. Sometimes, when we are deep in sadness, the world can seem like a dark pit that we can’t see into, or find a way out of. However, visually black makes the beauty of the flower stand out more, just as sadness makes joy or contentment that much more wonderful by comparison.
We all feel sadness sometimes, but depression isn’t just sadness. Just as our bodies can have issues, so can our minds. Severe symptoms of depression can cause symptoms that feel shameful, such as lack of motivation for hygiene or cleaning. Something to consider is this- I didn’t make a single Blue Bearded Iris, I made a garden of them. Just because someone may feel alone with depression, doesn’t mean they are alone- there are people out there that will understand.
Just as a single iris or a garden of irises can be beautiful, so are people with depression.
I do not publish behind a “paywall,” so read all you’d like.
