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World Health Day - Depression

Shelaghon April 07, 2017

12 Comments

This year, WHO are focusing on depression and to think it is the leading cause of ill health and disability is very sad. Depression should be talked about and no longer a taboo subject. I suffered depression after my stroke and felt life was no longer worth living. Gladly, I reached out and found support, through the Stroke Foundation and also through friends and family. There is support there if you let them into your world. Please never despair...you WILL and you CAN get better. To think I felt so much sadness and despair four years ago gives me shivers as I am so happy now. If you feel depressed, please talk to someone or message or shout from the rooftops..."I NEED HELP!" It's OK. I wrote a long poem about post stroke depression, but attached is a shorter poem I have posted on my Facebook page today and it was written during one of my difficult days. Read it, enjoy it but realise that there is always life after stroke. Much love. Shelagh

12 Responses

Nina Wilde

09/04/2017 04:29

Hi Shelagh

Well put - yes

Depression is able

To come to the table

To be looked at by WHO

Is a big who-hoo

Let's turn that frown

Upside down

And be a happy

Chappy

Do you like my rhyming Shelagh !

Great to know you are feeling good and happy.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your spirit Shelagh!

Love and hugs

Sue

Shelagh

12/04/2017 04:17

Great poem Sue. Are you trying to copy me? haha. Good to be happy. Happy is good!

Diana

11/04/2017 01:45

Thanks for posting Shelagh - amazinf X

Lee

18/04/2017 06:34

Shelagh thank you for sharing your poem. I call my post stroke depression "feeling very sad today" because to be honest I don't think it's depression as the feeling comes and goes and when it comes, I cry and cry, and when I cry, I think about how sad I'm feeling that my limbs, legs and my mind no longer feel as though they belong to me at all, I sometimes feel as though I"ve been taken over by an alien! Anyway, I've learned to go to my room every day, pull down the blinds and do my best to practice mindfulness, which usually results in me falling asleep for between 10 - 60 minutes, and mostly I bounce back really well. My poor, poor brain needed a big rest. And I"ll tell you what I hate: people saying to me "are you better yet?" and, you're looking good today, you don't look as though you've had a stroke. Anyway, I'm just venting, but please consider giving you brain time out in a safe place as I described.

Nina Wilde

18/04/2017 11:47

Hi Lee

Thank you for being honest about your experience . There are such difficult times during recovery.

Your practice to take time out sounds like you have found a safe space to rest your wonderful brain.

Keep looking after yourself and I have Shelagh's poetry book. It's lovely to read through Shelagh's poetry which helped her so much.

Take care

Sue

Lee

13/05/2017 05:28

Thank you very much Shelagh, thank you

Shelagh

26/04/2017 00:54

Lee I'm so sorry for my late reply..been so busy of late I keep forgetting to check in! Thank you for your comment. Your feeling is utterly normal and yes, people ask you as if you have caught a cold and a good nights sleep will rectify it. I know how hard it is but I honestly can say that it does get better. You just have to find something to focus on that's makes you happy, makes you feel alive and you will get there..I promise. Please let me know if you need support as the Stroke Foundation are just wonderful. take care my friend and keep checking my blog or my Facebook page xx

https://www.facebook.com/astrokeofpoetry/

Shelagh

26/04/2017 00:54

https://www.facebook.com/astrokeofpoetry/

Shelagh

26/04/2017 00:55

https://www.facebook.com/astrokeofpoetry/

Shelagh

26/04/2017 00:55

https://www.facebook.com/astrokeofpoetry/

Shelagh

26/04/2017 00:57