Pakistanis are opening up about their experiences with depression and it’s inspiring.
Disclaimer: this post does not advocate adopting certain habits as a cure for depression. Depression is a very serious mental health condition which should be dealt with by seeking help from trained professionals.
Depression is oft considered a taboo topic in our part of the world. So when #HowIFightDepression started trending in Pakistan as well, it was a pleasant surprise since it meant that people were at least open to discussing the subject.
The first tweet for the trend appeared to have originated by an American sharing their experience with fighting depression
Kickbox the air #HowIFightDepression pic.twitter.com/honSjsRETJ
— sleepless20 (@notthe1forBS) June 19, 2019
From there it caught on quite quickly and spread all over the world; including in Pakistan as well. While it’s important to remember that depression is a serious mental illness and needs to be treated with the help of professionals, there are definitely habits you can adopt which help you deal with some of the symptoms of depression.
Remember: none of these suggestions can serve as official cures to depression
But they’re interesting habits people have adopted to uplift their moods or improve their mental health, even, so it doesn’t hurt getting inspired by them for positive redirection of ones energy.
However, in Pakistan, the word depression and sadness are used interchangeably because of the lack of awareness. While it’s good that people are using Twitter to have conversations about both; it’s important to remember not to use the word depression for when you are sad since it trivializes the actual gravity of the mental illness. So if you think you or someone around you might be suffering from depression; then it might be a good idea to enlist the help of a professional. But if you’re just going through a general bout of sadness; it might be a good idea to use some of these tips and tricks to help you out of your mental slump.
And of course, people wrote about they deal with depression responsibly
Regular psycho-social therapy with a professional therapist and medication prescribed by a psychiatrist #HowIFightDepression
— Rafia Asim (@Thabbithinks) June 20, 2019
While others, talking about what they do when they’re sad said they tend to turn to motivational speakers
#HowIFightDepression
I listen @QasimAliShah_ motivational lectures and get back to face every difficult situation.— Sayed Osama Naseem (@osama_naseem) June 20, 2019
Some people read books
Reading books is #HowIFightDepression
— Sha (@sei_saye) June 20, 2019
Some people turn to children because getting in touch with your inner child can sometimes make you forget life’s hardships
Play with my kids #HowIFightDepression
— Atif (@sunny7827) June 20, 2019
Other people preached about the power of music
A lot of people have favorite artists they turn to during these times and music has been known to affect, and maybe even regulate, one’s moods.
I listen to Taylor Swift. I went from “Look what you made me do” to “I don’t wanna live forever” to “You need to calm down”. She was there in all these phases. And IT HELPED ! #HowIFightDepression #TaylorSwift
— Nabeel (@nabeeelsh) June 20, 2019
Depression make you feel insecure you keep blaming and criticise yourself you lose confidence #HowIFightDepression?1.if you believe me BTS is a best therapy. you will feel relaxing,happy,motivate without realising 2.Drawing help you express what you can’t in words bts salaghae pic.twitter.com/imdTvBh8Y9
— SUGA~rida (@suga_rida) June 19, 2019
And some people write down their feelings.
#HowIFightDepression?
Simply I write something in my personal diary. Write every thing I want. This is the only can ca. Myself. With the sharing of all bad and good things with ME, I usually conclude that you are the only one who listen to carefully. ♥ This is how I stay calm.— Muhammad Awais Arshad 🇵🇰 (@AwaisArshadPK) June 19, 2019
A lot of people turn to mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation, recently started practicing, it is making an impact #HowIFightDepression
— DD (@DD31594587) June 20, 2019
Some people tried to find peace within religion
This is always a controversial suggestion because while some people find comfort in religion others may not be as spiritually connected with themselves and find it problematic that some people offer religious actions as the absolute cure.
To offer salah Five times a day #HowIFightDepression
— Zain Khan Khilji (@ImZainUllahKhan) June 20, 2019
No matter what habit you adopt to keep the sadness or feelings or loneliness at bay, if they help you cope; at the end of the days they’re then worth it.
What are some things you do to feel better when you’re sad? Let us know in the comments below.
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Cover Image Source: Hum Network Limited