Semi-famous and approaching their wedding date, Michael and Ola were #CouplesGoals. Then The List – a catalog of men in media who mistreated women – went live. Michael and Ola’s lives were immediately and dramatically upended.
Ola struggled to get out of bed and skipped showering. She felt isolated from friends who judged her for associating with Michael and stopped responding to most people’s texts. Sometimes, Ola cried uncontrollably.
Michael was angry. He was mad that Ola wasn’t supportive, hurt that his boss put him on leave, and irate at the person he believed put him on The List. Desperate and lonely, Michael allied with people he found morally questionable. He became obsessed with knowing what people were saying about him. At times, Michael worried that he was “crazy.”
Michael and Ola experienced depression, a deep and prolonged feeling of sadness. However, in each of them it presented differently. Symptoms of depression vary widely, including:
Hopelessness, emptiness, shame, guilt.
Preoccupation with perceived failures.
Disproportionate anger or irritation.
Disengaging from work or school.
Frequent crying.
Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Sleeping too much or too little.
Lack of Energy.
Eating substantially more or less than before.
Suicidal thoughts.
Physical pain with no known cause.
Depression signs and treatment go hand-in-hand. Here are steps to treat depression:
Get Professional Help: Contact a qualified mental health provider immediately. Early intervention improves recovery outcomes. In an emergency, call 911.
Turn to Your Team: Tell your friends and family about how you’ve felt, and ask for their support.
Decrease Unnecessary Stress: Set boundaries so that you aren’t facing an overwhelming amount of unnecessary stressors while already emotionally depleted.
Deep Breathing: Breathe in 4 counts, hold 4 counts, breathe out 4 counts, hold 4 counts. Repeat at least 4 times.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Check the facts and challenge disproportionate thoughts.
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