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When
is Empty Nest more than a
very difficult transition
that one has to get through
and when is it a
"syndrome" and one
should consider going to a
doctor for a consultation
about depression?
As
a time of transition, Empty
Nest often is filled with a
sense of loss – not only a
loss of a child as they head
off to pursue their new
life, but also a strong
sense of loss of your self
as your role in life
changes. You've always known
that this day would come,
and even though you are
happy that your child is
succeeding, this time of
transition is difficult.
Know that feelings of grief,
sadness and emptiness are
totally normal during this
transition. So are the
questions and anxiety of not
knowing what the future will
bring. While the early days
of an Empty Nest Transition
may seem bleak, there is a
sense that ultimately you
will be able to overcome, to
cope with this change, and
move forward. The support of
friends and family, working
with a coach, and trying to
find some of the benefits of
this new change in your life
can help to ease this
transition. It may not seem
so at first but, by focusing
on the positive aspects of
your life, getting in touch
with your dreams and
interests, individuals
experiencing Empty Nest
Transition can and do get
through this difficult
period.
When
does it become more? How do
you know if you're suffering
from "Empty Nest
Syndrome" and should
seek help from a doctor? For
some, the questions,
self-doubt, and concerns
about the future become
overwhelming. They become
unable to see beyond the
sadness, unable to feel as
though there is any way they
can get through this period.
One of the more prominent
features of depression is a
preoccupation with negative
thoughts, feeling and
perceptions. There is a
strong and prevailing sense
of hopelessness and
helplessness that does not
go away and the sadness
completely clouds any light
or hope in the future.
According
to the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual (APA,
1994), a Major Depressive
Episode is characterized by
"a period of 2 weeks
during which there is either
a depressed mood or the loss
of interest or pleasure in
nearly all activities"
(p.320). Along with this
period of sadness and lack
of interest in seeing your
friends or wanting to do any
of the usual things which
bring you pleasure,
individuals with a major
depressive episode also
experience at least 4 of the
following symptoms:
1.
A significant weight
gain or weight loss or a
decrease or increase in your
appetite
2.
Difficulty falling
asleep, staying asleep, or
sleeping much more than
usual
3.
Noticeable changes in
how you walk and talk—you
may appear restless or move
very slowly
4.
Extreme fatigue or
loss of energy
5.
Feeling worthless or
having inappropriate guilt
6.
Difficulty
thinking, concentrating,
remembering, or making
decisions
7.
Recurrent thoughts of
death or suicide
If
you think you are suffering
from Empty Nest Syndrome,
you should consult with your
doctor to see whether
medication might be
advisable to help you move
forward. Since
antidepressants alone are
only effective in about 50%
of all individuals suffering
from depression, you may
want to consider also
participating in some sort
of counseling or coaching to
help you get beyond the
overwhelming negative
thought patterns associated
with depression and to begin
to embrace this new phase in
your life.
Remember,
there is light at the end of
the tunnel and help is
available so you can come
through the Empty Nest and
flourish.
American
Psychiatric Association,
(1994). Diagnostic
and statistical manual of
mental disorders, Fourth
Edition. Washington, DC:
American Psychiatric
Association.
As
the coach for Empty Nest
Moms, Ellen Neiley Ritter,
Ph.D. is committed to
helping individuals and
families to deal with
difficult transitions. Ellen
works with her clients to
increase their resilience,
combat the negative
thinking, and create lives
filled with purpose and
happiness. To learn more
about coaching or sign up
for a complimentary coaching
session, please visit
Ellen's website at www.familytransitionscoaching.com
.
For
an online test to see
whether you may be suffering
from depression and should
consult a physician, you can
go to:
http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100105507
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