Sad and Alone

Have you ever been so sad and alone that you felt like no one even knew that you exist? That no one would miss you if you were gone? Or even, that you would be better off? This is what it is like to be depressed.

Most adults at one point or another in their lives have had a bout with depression. These short-term episodes are normal and usually occur after a stressful or traumatic event in our lives. There are also some medications and even illnesses that can bring it on in a person that has no other stressful life events going on.

No matter what brings on these bouts, they are nothing to ignore. Short-term depression can be as deadly as the long-term type.

Sometimes, a person who appears perfectly well adjusted and happy will shock everyone around them by committing suicide. They were likely feeling so sad and alone at the time that they could not even see going on.

There are some things that you can do if you or someone that you know is experiencing a short-term bout with depression. These are suggestions of a few ways to try to help overcome this state-of-mind.

Any of these suggestions will probably be a huge challenge since by it's very nature, depression drains all the energy from the mind of the one suffering with it. It will take patience and a lot of coaxing to get them motivated.

1. Avoid alcohol - If you have ever been upset and had a few drinks, you will understand already that alcohol is a mood depressant. It takes your sadness and amplifies it.

2. Take a brisk walk, or exercise - Push yourself for at least 20 minutes to kick in the endorphins. They are the bodies natural "feel good" hormones. And will help to lift the cloud that is keeping you down.

3. Get dressed up - do your hair, your nails, put on your favorite outfit and head out. It doesn't matter if you walk to the corner store. Pampering yourself is a good way to pump up your self-esteem.

4. Take as leisurely stroll - Get outside into the sunshine if possible and take a walk. Examine what is going on in your life, or encourage them to talk about what is causing them to feel so sad and alone. Once the issue can be identified, it will be much easier to work through it.

5. Distract their mind - encourage them to participate with you in a favorite activity, take them shopping, bring over the kids, or anything else that you can think of to help distract their minds from their worries.

6. Get them to talk - Try to help them figure out what is causing them to feel this way.

7. Get help! - If you are having no luck getting through to them, get help!. This may be the best thing that you could for them.

If you cannot get them to participate with you in any way, do not leave them alone. Keep them company until you find a way to draw them out.

Believe it or not, getting them angry is yet another way to help snap them out of it. It may be short-lived, but it could be a starting point if nothing else seems to work. Anger is simply a different emotion... This one has energy!

Getting them angry with you temporarily is a better option than leaving them while they are feeling so alone. Being angry will help to occupy their mind while it gives them some of the energy they need to move. Sad and alone cannot co-exist easily with anger. After all, with anger, there must be someone to aim it at and some way to vent.