Depression

Recently the First Lady, Michelle Obama, stated in her podcast that she was experiencing low grade depression due to the exhausting pandemic and resurgence of the fight for racial justice.

“These are not, they are not fulfilling times, spiritually,” she said. “I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression. Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting.”

“I’m waking up in the middle of the night because I’m worrying about something or there’s a heaviness,” she continued. Obama said she tries “to make sure I get a workout in,” but that there have been “periods throughout this quarantine, where I just have felt too low.”

Low grade depression is not a medical diagnosis, its depression (Miller, 2020). Depression is exhibited by the following symptoms; loss of interest and activities that you once enjoyed, fatigue, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions, insomnia, early morning waking, or oversleeping, change in appetite, weight gain, thoughts of death or suicide, restlessness and or irritability (Leyse-Wallace, 2008)

Some of the things you can do to address your depression is to unplug from the stressors Talk to friends, family or seek professional help. Eat well and exercise. Everyone experiences some depression in their life. The issue is related to how long is the experience and is it interfering with your life and daily activities for more than two weeks according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) . Those with suicidal thoughts need immediate assistance and intervention and should seek assistance from a mental health professional.

Please take care of yourself and family! Remember to exercise and eat well and reduce your sugar intake.

References     
Leyse-Wallace, R. (2008). Linking nutrition to mental health: A scientific exploration. iUniverse.             

Miller, K (2020). Michelle Obama Says She Has 'Low-Grade Depression'—Here's What That Means, According to Experts. Retrieved from https://www.health.com/condition/depression/michelle-obama-low-grade-depression