Depression
                                                                                                                          

Common thoughts and feelings

“For a long time after my boyfriend died, I cried all the time. Once I was so exhausted I told my Mom, “I just want to give up.”

“I have this sad, hopeless, empty feeling inside. Before my brother died I laughed all the time. I never laugh now.”

“My Mom died so my prayers were useless. I feel helpless these days.”

“Sadness, sadness, sadness. The sadness never ends and I have no energy for anything.”

“Since my friend died, food tastes like paper. I don’t eat much.”

   Deep sadness and depression is a normal reaction
to the death of someone special.
                            

Your low energy, appetite changes, and difficulty concentrating will improve as you go through the grief process.

 If intense feelings drag on and you begin to feel like you are living in a dark hole you can’t climb out of, then you may have developed more serious depression. You may need the support of a professional to help you rebuild your life. If you were depressed before your special person died then feelings of powerlessness and helplessness might be more intense with their death. You might start to withdraw from family and friends.

Depression is not a weakness. You deserve to work through your grief in a healthy way. With professional help, you can work through the grief process and begin to enjoy life again.

                                 
  If you spend time thinking about dying
or have a history of suicidal behaviour
it is important that you talk to someone.
 Get the support you need to keep yourself safe. 
or call the Vancouver Island Crisis LIne  1-888-494-3888

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF

Seek out the support of family and friends and share your feelings with them.

Talk about the special person who died. Invite other people to their share stories about the special person.

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Cry when you feel like crying.
  Be gentle with yourself and do something kind for yourself each day.
Make a list of whatever is important for you to do each day
and accomplish one or two things.

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Paint or draw a picture.

Create a sculpture honouring your loved one.


Contribute to a memorial page and write about the person who died.
    
Write a song or poem and dedicate it to your special person.

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Create a scrapbook or collage with pictures of your special person.

  Light a candle in memory of the person who died.

 
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Nanaimo Community Hospice