There are many ways people deal with depression, and they may engage in different coping strategies. These strategies could be “healthy”, which results in improvements in their symptoms and may not cause any form of harm to them. Or “unhealthy”, which may cause harm and a long-lasting negative effect on them.
Many factors contribute to why people may engage in unhealthy coping strategies, like family background, abuse and so on.
Here are some common unhealthy and toxic ways people deal with depression:
Ignoring Their Symptoms
This is often common with people who don’t take their health seriously. Ignoring your symptoms only makes treatment and recovery more difficult.
In Nigeria, it is not uncommon to see people ignoring their symptoms because they feel that as long as they can walk and talk, they are fine. And this is not just about mental health; it applies to physical health as well. The mentality of “I am not dying, so I am okay” has cost a lot of people their health and, in some cases, their lives.
When a person is suffering from depressive disorder, they may experience a variety of symptoms. These symptoms may include feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies, oversleeping or insomnia and much more. These indicate a change in your usual self and shouldn’t be ignored.
This is because not seeking treatments for depression or when left untreated comes with a long-lasting effect.
It is helpful for persons suffering from depression to better understand the illness. And also, seek professional help if the depressive symptoms last for more than two weeks and begin to interfere with their ability to function in their daily activities.
Being Silent About Their Struggles
This is one of the most common unhealthy ways people deal with depression.
The first step to overcoming depression is speaking up about your struggle. Being silent and bottling up your feelings doesn’t make you better. Remember that a problem shared is a problem solved, so keep that in mind the next time you are wondering whether you should speak up or not.
Although many people may not be expressive of their feelings because of the stigma that surrounds mental illness. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting the help you need. You don’t have to go about telling everyone how you feel and all you are going through. However, you can confide in a close friend, or a family member or directly seek medical support.
Suffering in silence can worsen your situation, and it takes you one step away from receiving treatment and getting better.
Dating as A Means of Coping
Nowadays, many people go into relationships with people they don’t necessarily like as a means of coping with depression and loneliness.
We all have reasons why we would want to be in a relationship, but dating to get rid of depression is actually a bad idea. And this is why. Dating isn’t medication, dating isn’t therapy, and dating isn’t self-care steps you need for fighting off depression.
Now, don’t get me wrong, you can date while struggling with depression, there’s nothing wrong with that. But you shouldn’t date just because you are depressed.
If you want to give your best in any relationship, you have to take care of yourself first, so if you are depressed and want to start a new relationship, you should get professional help. Learn some self-care techniques to take care of your mental health before getting romantically involved with someone.
With this in mind, you can give your best in the relationship and not solely rely on your partner for support and to fix you.
Abuse of Drugs and Alcohol
Drug and alcohol abuse are unhealthy forms of escapism that people often indulge in. Ignoring and evading a problem doesn’t make it go away.
People who are depressed may use drugs and alcohol to escape their feelings and lift their moods. This is an unhealthy way of dealing with depression because it doesn’t make you better.
Rather, it may give you a short-lasting feeling of excitement, which is often followed by fatigue and other problems, such as difficulty concentrating, and may have a long-term negative effect on you and may worsen your depressive episodes.
If you have been diagnosed with depression, you may want to seek other alternatives for coping with depression rather than abusing drugs and alcohol for recovery.
Refusing to Get Help
There are so many people out there who are depressed. They know they are, and they struggle with it every day, but choose not to get professional help or even self-care techniques to deal with it.
Some may see it as their new identity and go about their daily activities as if there is nothing wrong to worry about.
Depression shouldn’t be anyone’s identity. You had a life before depression, and you can have a life after depression. So, why stick to it and make it a part of you? Why refuse to get help when you know you can live a much happier and healthier life?
Now, sometimes I understand why people refuse help. For many, it comes down to finances. Mental health care in Nigeria is not always affordable, and that is a real barrier. For others, it is the spiritual angle. They believe their problem is spiritual and therefore requires a spiritual solution, not a clinical one. Both of these are valid concerns. But they should not be permanent reasons to avoid getting better. There are affordable options, and there are mental health professionals who understand the spiritual and cultural context of their patients.
If you have an opportunity to get better, choose to get better.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common unhealthy ways people deal with depression, but they can be avoided. When you begin to notice the symptoms of depression, don’t ignore them. Face the problem and deal with it. Speak to someone who can help you or get professional help for you if necessary.
Pay attention to your alcohol intake so you don’t rely on it as a form of escapism. More importantly, get professional help rather than getting into a relationship just because you are depressed; it might not end well.
Author: Chinasa Lovlyn Nwachukwu holds an MSc in Psychology and is a mental health coach and writer dedicated to making mental health knowledge accessible across Africa. Through her platform, she bridges the gap between clinical understanding and everyday lived experience, helping people achieve their personal goals without compromising their mental well-being.
DISCLAIMER:
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is provided for general information only.
If you need help or know someone struggling with their mental health, please visit our resource page.
