Depression and Support System
One of the hardest symptoms when you are suffering with depression is the feeling of isolation.This is why it is so important to create a support system around us when we are starting our recovery.Depression is a very frightening and lonely place. While depression is a diagnosable, treatable ailment, it is also a menacing, shadowy room where dark emotions go to play with your mind. A good support system is like a window in that room, providing light and warmth.
What is a support system?
A support system is a network of people who provide an individual with practical or emotional support. They are the group of people you can trust with advice, help, and support in your daily life. You can have multiple support systems in different aspects of your life, including family, work, volunteer, etc.
What does healthy support system look like?
It can include people, websites and resources that is helpful for you. It could be the place you lean to for support or it could be the place where you gain knowledge from.
Healthy support system includes people who:
Gives good advice when you want it and ask for it
Is trustworthy and respectful
Allows you space to grow and learn from your mistakes
Listens to you, but also talks to you about their own life
Respects confidentiality when you ask them to
Doesnt judge you for sharing your emotions
Helps you problem solve out of stressful situations
How can healthy support system help you?
These are the few ways how healthy support system can help you:
Accountability
A healthy support system includes someone who can call your bluff when needed, offer honest feedback without you getting angry, and help you stay or get back on track. With no one holding you accountable, recovery can become harder. It gives you the room to start justifying behaviors that are not aligned with healing.
Better problem-solving
Social support groups can help you work out problems and relieve stress as well. Regardless of what youre experiencing, chances are others are dealing with similar issues, and may be able to provide you with useful strategies.
Decrease Feelings of Loneliness
If you are suffering with depression you might feel isolated, and combatting loneliness is much easier when you have a support system. Every time you start feeling lonely, reach out to someone in your support system.
Increase Self-Confidence
Having a strong support group around you can make you feel important and loved. It can also make you feel valued by other people, which could increase your self-esteem and overall mental health.
No matter how strongly you want to avoid people, reaching out to others who have a personal connection to what you're going through can have a huge healing effect. Knowing that you're really not alone can give you the needed moral support to stay with your treatment and keep moving toward recovery.
Sources:
https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/copingwithdepression/2013/09/depression-support-system
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression/benefits-of-depression-support-system/
http://mentalhealth.fitness/take-care-of-yourself/support-systems/
https://vantagepointrecovery.com/healthy-support-system/
Discussion questions:
What does your support system look like?
How has your support system helped you in dealing with depression?
What does your support system look like? I don't have one, it because of accountabilty.
How has your support system helped you in dealing with depression? It's been hard. I feel it's hard to find a balance and someone who reliable
What does your support system look like? I have my family, my fianace, and 7 cups when I need to vent.
How has your support system helped you in dealing with depression? It's helped to have people who will listen to me, and people who I know care about what's going on.
