"Sadness Versus Depression" By Sheila Tillich
I ask myself the question- Am I sad or depressed? Clarifying the distinction between sadness and depression helps me understand why I ask this question.
Unfortunately, we live in an era where sadness and depression are misunderstood as “imbalances in brain chemistry.” This is heartbreaking. We are labeled as having “depression,” not understanding that a person is going through sadness. Sadness is real and it does not have to be labeled depression.
Sadness is a natural response to unreleased pain of actual experiences in life. Depression is related to a significant loss, and most likely an important loss of love. This insight has the power to heal the real root of depression. To achieve this in a way that does not require “medicating feelings away,” as there are other ways to unblock loss and sadness. This “other way” does take work with an ongoing basis proportional to the ability to face and release the pain carried. This is the bases of energy medicine I personally work with. You can heal yourself by changing a belief system that no longer serves you.
Denying our painful feelings guarantees that we will continue to be encumbered by them. The feeling of being burdened, stuck, or not knowing what to do. Validating and expressing our sadness, letting them out and letting them go restores our natural ability to feel at peace and free. We no longer have the energy imprint that can cause depression.
Going within - open your heart to free your sadness. Understand where it comes from and fully letting it go – this is a beautiful self-healing act of self-acceptance. Sadness is a natural reaction to experiences of frustration, loss, etc. Completely be in touch with your sadness and letting it out, all of it, then there is no depression.
Depression - is the deadening result of powerful feelings of being ‘stuck and blocked.’ This can come from a learned belief system. These blocked feelings stop us from expressing our natural emotions and living in balanced harmony with our life force energy. These blocked emotions cause negative imprints on the human energy field. True healing can occur when our life energy force is freed (released) and the buried pain is gradually faced and thoroughly worked through. Body and spirit come alive, restoring healthy brain function and heals the root cause of depression.
Sadness or anger or being afraid for most people is when they cannot fully connect to the emotion. This can cause the beginning process of depression. Usually this begins from childhood from being treated hurtfully and not able to express and release their pain and sadness. Their Mom and Dad, the people they needed the most to turn to for love, support and understanding, were mistreating them. (Often, Mom and Dad were also treated the same in their childhood and did not have the ability to connect to their emotions. The cycle begins.) So, a young child unconsciously numbs and blocks the feelings (emotions) to survive and cope. This can start chronic depression.
A person can be sad, but not depressed - if they are open to the sadness and letting it out fully. Although depression could be smaller degree of sadness with a lot of suppression and denial. Go within – open your heart to free your sadness. Get real and have an authentic response and reaction to the painful things and situations that happen in your life. Get in touch with the inner child that still hurts. Free that childhood pain. It is usually deep and has many layers.
Love yourself and understand that being sad is a real part of you and it is ok to be and feel sad. This is being real and authentic. Being sad is okay. It is a part of being human. You can be sad and not be labeled as having ‘Clinical Depression.’ You can release sadness and make positive changes in your life that create happiness. This is what I love about energy medicine: the whole body, mind, and soul. It looks at the whole dynamics of being human with an electromagnetic energy field. It allows you to release the negative energy that no longer serves you. Heal from the pain you still have, evolve into your full potential as a soul, and empowers you to create a life of joy and happiness.
So, the question I ask myself – “Am I sad or depressed?” Yes, sometimes I get sad. That is ok. I have tools to use by going within and ask why, and then release that sadness. Depressed? No! I am a spiritual being living in a human body coping and thriving! And So It Is!
About Sheila: Sheila B. Tillich is a Universal Master Energy Healer, who can help you identify, receive emotional healing and solutions, allowing you to master Spiritual Alignment to your Magnificence. She is able to help you use your life obstacles and transform them into something that provides freedom, wisdom, and courage, living your Spiritual Divine potential. Sheila is a certified IET Master Instructor Trainer, Certified Unity Field Healing Practitioner, Ordained Metaphysical Minister and Metaphysical Practitioner, Licensed HeartMath® Coach/Mentor, Master USUI Reiki Practitioner, Certified Hospice/Palliative Caregiver, and Global Authorized Host for Lemurian Sisterhood Sacred Circles, as well as the founder of the Lightworkers Connection Circle. In addition to all of her work, she and her family enjoy getting out into nature: traveling, hiking, and communing with Mother Gaia as much as life allows.
Sheila's website: https://www.sheilatillich.com/home
