The current economic crisis is hitting all members of our society and not just people whom are invested in the market. The amount of money and the manner in which it was lost may differ from household to household; however, the social, economic, and familial disruption that financial instability brings about can foster anxiety and stess in any individual just the same. Some ways in which the financial stress can impact a person's point of view of themselves, their family or situation include: worrying that they are not good providers for their family, feeling unworthy of their family's love; or that they will never be able to recover from this situation. While it is normal to have these types of thoughts, it is improtant to say to oneself that for the most part, these are irrational thoughts and that your family loves you for caring for them and not for the things you give them. At times like these depression can be a concern.
Learning to recognize the symptoms of clinical depression is key. Be introspective and ask yourself if you have felt or experienced at least five of the following symptoms for at least two weeks:
- Serious changes in your mood: persistent sadness, anxiety, or lack of emotion
- Uncontrollable crying
- Changes in your normal sleep patterns: too little, too much, or early morning awakening
- Loss of interest in things/activities that you normally found enjoyable; including sex & laughing
- Changes in your normal eating habits: no appetite or excessive eating
- Restlessness or irritability
- Fatigue or loss energy
- Long standing physical pains such as back pains, headaches, and digestive problems
- Difficulty focusing, making decisions, or concentrating on the tasks at hand
- Thoughts about wanting to hurt or kill yourself: or that you would be better off dead even if you have no intention of doing anything to actually hurt yourself.
Even if you have none of the symptoms outlined above, if any thoughts about dying or hurting yourself appear, seek immedicate assistance from your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. It is normal to have fluctuations in mood, especailly during difficult and stressful times in one's life. For most people, their disposition allows them to cope with and tolerate temporary times of high stress and depression in otherwise normally functioning healthy people. Some ways to cope include:
- Be patient: it may take time for your situation to actually change but your mood may improved nonetheless
- Return to the simple things in life: play board games with your children, organize movie night at home. Your family wants to be with you and will endure the lack of extra money more easily if you focus on positive things
- Release yourself from feelings of guilt for not being able to provide extras right now
- Take on an optimistic attitude: a positive attitude can improve your mood
As different as humans are to each other so are their repsonses to stress. Additionally, within an individual, it's improtant to note that he or she may respond differently at various times in their own lives. That having been said, because past behavior is still the best predictor of future behavior, it's important for people to be self-aware and recognize when they are no longer functioning in their normal ways, but beginning to act similarly to when they have experienced depression in the past. In these cases, understanding your pattern of behavior from its starting point (or that of a loved one), will help to catch the problem early and one should thus seek support in attempts to avoid full onset depression from returning.
Ways to seek help:
- Inform your primary care physician of how your have been feeling and ask for a referral to speak with a psychologist or psychotherapist
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAM) 1-800-950-6264
- National Suicide hotline 1-800-273-8255
With early recognition, treatment, and support moost people can recover from about of depression and resume living and managing their lives.
Please Note: Mental health benefits vary per insurance companies (see FAQ section on accessing behavorial health benefits) or be sure to check with your insurance company for your specific benefits.
Information provided by Dr. Paula C. Castillo.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
