Four years ago, in late November, I tumbled into the worst depression of my life. It took me a long, long time to climb out of that black hole -- but I did. However, every winter since then has been a struggle to keep myself from slipping back down again.
I know that especially in the bisexual community, I'm not the only one. Bisexuals have higher rates of mental disorders -- including depression and anxiety -- than our lesbian, gay and heterosexual counterparts. Additionally, short days, long nights, cold temperatures and holiday stress can all contribute to a depressed mood, even for individuals who aren't struggling with a mental disorder.
That's why I wanted to share some practical tips for bisexuals to beat the winter blues. Note that these come from my personal toolkit. I'm certain other people have different coping strategies, but for what it's worth, here are mine:
- If your depression is severely affecting your functioning, seek professional help immediately! You do not need to suffer alone. Ask your primary caregiver or insurer for a list of mental health professionals with experience treating LGBTQ individuals. And if you're dealing with thoughts of self-harm, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 immediately!
In addition to these tips, I'd like to leave you with a profound piece of wisdom my wife imparted to me: "The better you know yourself, the better you can take care of yourself." So get to know the real you this holiday, and give the gift of self-care to that person!
Sources:
https://www.afsp.org
http://samaritansusa.org/contact.php
http://us.reachout.com/facts/factsheet/overcoming-loneliness
http://www.biresource.net/
http://www.binetusa.org
http://ubnradio.com/artists/the-ann-walker-show/
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