Coffee House Writers

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Article Categories
    • Creativity
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fiction
    • Food
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Home
    • Lifestyle
    • Memories
    • Nonfiction
    • Poetry
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Sports
    • Style
    • Technology
    • Travel
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Founder
  • Meet Our Admin
    • Chief Editors
    • Editors
    • Poetry Editors
    • Advertising Team
    • Recruiting Team
  • Testimonials
  • Apply
  • Login

logo

Coffee House Writers

  • Home
  • Article Categories
    • Creativity
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fiction
    • Food
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Home
    • Lifestyle
    • Memories
    • Nonfiction
    • Poetry
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Sports
    • Style
    • Technology
    • Travel
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Founder
  • Meet Our Admin
    • Chief Editors
    • Editors
    • Poetry Editors
    • Advertising Team
    • Recruiting Team
  • Testimonials
  • Apply
  • Login
  • Welcome to Hell: How Can I Help You?

  • Paradise Falls: Chapter 1

  • Cloaked Miracles, Part 3

  • Becoming a Mother

  • A New Home

  • Unlock Your Hidden Potential: How to Tackle an Extraordinary Challenge with Ease

  • Appreciate Your Talent

  • Writing With ADHD: How Hard Could it be?

  • Southern Ways – Part 1

  • Where the Soul Lies Part 1

  • Skinchangers Chapter 2.1

  • The Book

  • The Familiar Mask

  • The Mystery of Cash Castle: Part 14

  • Shivering Leaves

  • Calming the Chaos of the Heavy Mental Load

  • Paradise Falls: Prologue

  • May Flowers

  • New Diagnosis, Same Person

  • Pierce

  • The Deadline

  • Cloaked Miracles, Part 2

  • Ma Millie-7

  • A Road Not Taken

  • Skinchangers Chapter 1.2

  • Life With Dementia

  • It Went in the Wash

  • Strawberry Guillotine

  • Suicide: The Silent Adversary

  • The North Wind – Part 12

EnvironmentHealthLifestyleCultureMediaFamilyRelationshipsHome
Home›Environment›Situational Depression: Truths and Lies

Situational Depression: Truths and Lies

By Shelley Estes-Loy
September 21, 2020
1509
0
Share:
situational depression, coronavirus
Photo by John Hain, Pixabay
  • “Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you’ve ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were.”—Unknown.

Everyone gets down sometimes, but the coronavirus has heightened situations that cause depression. The pandemic has isolated people and changed their lives. I haven’t seen my adult children in my home for months. I don’t go out to eat with my mother every week, as I did before.

Those with health risks may feel intense sadness as the holidays draw near. It will be my first Thanksgiving and Christmas without my kids’ laughter filling my home. Believe me; there will be tears. Situational depression is real. It is harsh.

situational depression, coronavirus
Photo by Abigail Faith, Unsplash

What is it?

Situational depression (S.D. in this article) is a temporary adjustment disorder. We struggle to adjust during taxing and painful times in our lives. The adjustment can be something as difficult as losing a loved one or as simple as moving across town. This disorder is real and often devastating. I would venture to guess that everyone will experience it.

Situational depression, coronavirus
photo by John Hain, Pixabay

Coping skills:

The inability to cope with our changing circumstances triggers depression. Once depressed, we must make a choice. We can sink deeper into the depression, or we can pull ourselves out. We know which choice is healthier. But choosing to pull ourselves out is difficult when we’re depressed. For years, experts have reminded us we should get plenty of exercise and sleep and eat a healthy diet. This is especially true if we’re depressed. If we cannot do this on our own, we should ask our doctor for the name of a good therapist or a medication to help us. Remember, S.D. is temporary, and circumstances change.

Something to know:

One thing we must understand about depression: There is a part of us that wants to stay there.

During any traumatic situation, it’s tough to keep from sinking deep into the warm friend of sadness. Sadness can numb our pain, keeping us from dealing with more difficult issues. We can get comfortable in our sadness.

The battle:

S.D is an enemy. It has an agenda. And if it wins, the reward is you.

S.D. will not give up. It will do anything it can to defeat you. That’s why I refer to it as an enemy. The symptoms can fight against your body, but not before it fights for your mind and wins. It only makes sense then that we need to stop it before it gets that far. One of the quickest ways we can lose the battle is by believing its lies.

Lie #1: I failed; therefore, I’m a failure.

Truth #1: Failing doesn’t make you a failure.

Perhaps we failed, or our actions contributed to the S.D. we are experiencing. When that happens, learn from it and move on. Trust me; it won’t be the last time. We could be in a relationship with the wrong person. Taking the wrong major in college. Working with the wrong company. Hanging with the wrong friends. When things aren’t working, do something different. Try something new. Fix the problem. We should learn from our mistakes instead of allowing them to defeat us.

Here are some encouraging quotes about failure:

  • “Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.”—John Wooden.
  • “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”—Thomas Edison.
  • “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”—Denis Waitley
situational depression, coronavirus
Photo by Ben Hershey, Unsplash

Lie #2: You’re worthless.

Truth #2: No one is worthless. No. One.

If you say this to yourself, stop. If you hear this lie from someone else, stay away from them. Feeling worthless doesn’t make us worthless; any more than growling makes us a bear. Make changes instead of feeling sorry for yourself. One way we can increase our sense of self-worth is to help someone else. Life isn’t all about us. When we get depressed, we forget this. Today, let’s make someone else more important. Don’t wrap yourself in a cocoon of defeatism.

Here are some uplifting quotes about your worth:

  • “You couldn’t relive your life, skipping the awful parts, without losing what made it worthwhile. You had to accept it as a whole–like the world, or the person you loved.”― Stewart O’Nan
  • “Loss teaches us about the worth of things.”―Arthur Schopenhauer
  •  “Broken crayons still color.”–Unknown.
situational depression, coronavirus
Photo by Bruno Aguirre, Unsplash

Lie #3: You’ll never be happy.

Truth #3: You’re not happy right now.

Today we’re miserable, and it could last for a while. We must take time to grieve and acknowledge our feelings. Reach out for help when you need it. Sadness and hopelessness can overwhelm us when hit with a major life change. But time heals. Tomorrow is a new day. A vaccine will come. Our circumstances will improve. Be patient. We will be happy again.

Here are some quotes to help when you feel unhappy:

  • “Why do we think that when we’re sad, we’ll never be happy again? That’s like thinking that when the tide is low the sea will never return.”—Unknown
  • “To be happy you must let go of what’s gone, be grateful for what remains, and look forward to what comes next.”—Unknown
  • “Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have.”—Zig Ziglar.

Remember: Don’t let these lies have a foothold into the doorway of your mind. Take control of your life again, and never let it go.

  • “Your lowest point is never your last point, you are destined for great things. Don’t give up.”—Terry Mark.

Tagsisolationcoping skillsDepressioncoronavirusLiesSituational Depressiontemporary adjustment disorderHolidaysworthless
Previous Article

The Transit Orchestra

Next Article

Sally: Part One

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Shelley Estes-Loy

Shelley Estes-Loy lives on a farm in rural Iowa with her husband, Jerry. She is the mother of six grown children. She obtained her BSc in Business Administration from Mt. Mercy University and has worked as a marketing director, editor, writer, and teacher. Shelley has written a language arts curriculum and a piano theory curriculum. She won a Medallion Award at the NCMPR District level for a single print ad, a Paragon Award, at the NCMPR National Level for a postcard, Admissions & Marketing Report Award for a single print ad, Eleventh Annual Admissions & Advertising Awards for a newspaper ad, Silver Medallion Award @ National Council of Marketing and Public Relations for a print ad, Editor’s Choice Award at the National Library of Poetry for a poem, and Billboard’s Certificate of Achievement for two songs. She is currently working on her first novel.

Related articles More from author

  • EnvironmentCultureRelationships

    Mother Earth Day: End Plastic Pollution

    April 16, 2018
    By Tracie Hicks
  • CultureMediaCreativityHealth

    Hilarious and Real: John Moe’s Podcast “The Hilarious World of Depression”

    May 14, 2018
    By Melanie Blackman
  • stressed woman
    EnvironmentHealthFamilyLifestyle

    The Modern Mom & Stress

    April 27, 2020
    By Alena Orrison
  • empty grocery store shelves
    FamilyEnvironmentHealthNonfictionPoliticsCultureMedia

    Opinion – We Are Overreacting

    April 13, 2020
    By Alena Orrison
  • Candle
    LifestyleCreativityRelationshipsFictionMemoriesHealth

    Found- Part Twenty-Three

    May 25, 2020
    By LM Hernandez
  • Desolate Roads
    TravelEntertainmentRelationshipsFictionMemories

    Roadside Attraction: Part 4

    March 2, 2020
    By Stephen Veilleux

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You may be interested

  • Person with a phone and laptop writing
    LifestyleBusinessEnvironmentHealthFamily

    Changing Jobs Was a Good Decision

  • ballroom dancing gown tuxedo cha-cha
    CreativityFamilyMemoriesSportsFashionMusicCultureEntertainmentStyle

    From Clodhoppers To Satin Slippers

  • Woman in a flower field
    EntertainmentCreativityFamilyRelationshipsFictionMemories

    Learning To Cope, Meet Gertie

Timeline

  • May 22, 2023

    Welcome to Hell: How Can I Help You?

  • May 22, 2023

    Paradise Falls: Chapter 1

  • May 22, 2023

    Cloaked Miracles, Part 3

  • May 22, 2023

    Becoming a Mother

  • May 22, 2023

    A New Home

Latest Comments

  • Reblog: Why You Need Realistic Writing Expectations- Andrea Lundgren - E. M. Sherwood Foster
    on
    May 24, 2023
    […] My serial publication The North Wind at Coffee House Writers! Part 1 is here. […]

    The North Wind – Part 1

  • How to Write Dual Timelines - E. M. Sherwood Foster
    on
    May 22, 2023
    […] My serial publication The North Wind at Coffee House Writers! Part 1 is here. […]

    The North Wind – Part 1

  • Writing and Mental Health - E. M. Sherwood Foster
    on
    May 20, 2023
    […] My serial publication The North Wind at Coffee House Writers! Part 1 is here. […]

    The North Wind – Part 1

  • Qalupalik: Child-Snatching Water Hag Of Inuit Folklore – LoreThrill
    on
    May 18, 2023
    […] - Astonishing Legends Alaska’s Qalupalik - Coffee House Writers The Inuit Sea Monster, The Qalupalik ...

    Alaska’s Qalupalik

  • Ian
    on
    May 14, 2023
    The background of the world is interesting and subtle. A nice little twist. I look forward ...

    Pierce

Find us on Facebook

About us

  • coffeehousewriters3@gmail.com

Follow us

© Copyright 2018-2023 Coffee House Writers. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s administrator and owner is strictly prohibited.