WAYS TO COPE WITH DEPRESSION

“I seem happy, right? You see not cuts on my wrist and only the smile on my lips. You hear
me laugh; you see me smile. But did you take time to look into my eyes? Did you see the
emptiness, the darkness inside those dark brown eyes? Did you check my hips? Darling, if
you could only open your eyes and staring bore into mine, you can see I was dying inside.”
Depression is not a joke;
it is an everyday battle and more people need to be aware with it. You guys know what
depression is? It is not wanting to do your favourite things anymore and you just can’t
explain why.
It is lying in bed all day because you don’t have the energy to get up, you can’t help feeling
empty and sad with no explanation behind these feeling. It isn’t fun to have nor it is funny.  It
can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. Just trying to get
through the day can be overwhelming. While some people describe depression as “living in
a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom, others feel lifeless, empty, and
apathetic. Men in particular can feel angry and restless. However, you experience the
problem, left untreated it can become a serious health condition. But it’s important to
remember that feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are symptoms of depression—not
the reality of your situation.

For example, almost half a million Malaysians experience symptoms of depression,

according to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS 2019).
Befrienders Kuala Lumpur patron Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said NHMS 2019 also found
that 424,000 children experience mental health problems. "Half of all mental
disorders begin by the age of 14, and three-quarters by the mid-20s. Therefore, this
needs to be addressed urgently," he said in a statement in conjunction with World
Health Day 2020, today. He said the Covid-19 pandemic and Movement Control
Order (MCO) have also caused emotional distress to many, following the change in
working environment, loss of income and jobs, and fears for safety.

Personally, many people have to deal with this struggle. They may be all smiles and happy
when they are around people but on the inside, it is different. Depression is a very complex
thing but is not something to be ashamed of. Hence, there are some things you can do to
cope with your depression to improve the quality of life. Taking the first them is always the
hardest but by taking the following small but positive steps day by day, you’ soon lift the
heavy fog of depression and find yourself feeling happier, healthier and more joyful again.
So, today we will talk about on how to cope with depression.