Shades of Blue: A Kaleidoscope of Difficult Emotions

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From early childhood until late in life, individuals experience a wide range of emotions based on the engagement of every experience, situation, and circumstance. Often, one’s emotional state is a springboard for thinking, processing, and communicating, along with how self-esteem, resilience, and growth are influenced (O’Neil et al., 2023; Shanahan et al., 2022).

A widely accepted theory of basic emotions and related expressions developed by Ekman (1999) suggests that we have six basic emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. These basic emotions often drive how we receive, respond, and react to a kaleidoscope of stimuli and information daily and generally in life.

The kaleidoscope constantly changes the pattern or sequence of elements. Metaphorically, this kaleidoscope of changes “represents our thoughts as being dynamic rather than static.”

Rayette’s Story

It is a seemingly typical day in December in Chicago, Illinois. Rayette, a 30-year-old single woman, finally has an opportunity to rest a bit after hosting a holiday party that included a small gathering of family and friends. Sitting at the foot of her bed after cleaning what seemed to be a million dishes, she begins to process the evening. She believes the night went well and that everyone, including herself, had a really nice time—reflecting on stories from her college days, watching movies, enjoying vegan desserts her sister insisted on bringing this year, and feeling joy from children’s laughter as her nieces and nephews pranced about throughout the evening. But her mood quickly changed in seconds, and unexpected emotions took over her life for days. She thought to herself, Why am I feeling so sad and blue? Why am I feeling unusually tired and exhausted? Why can’t I seem to move my body and get out of bed? Why do I want to stay curled up under these sheets and not talk to anyone for days? Should I be concerned?

Rayette’s disposition is not uncommon; emotional distress can impact several areas of one’s life, impact functionality, and increase the risk for depression.

10 Signs and Symptoms of Depression

• Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes.
• Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, or defeatism.
• Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.
• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood and internal feelings most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
• Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment.
• Thoughts of death or suicide, negative ideations, or actual suicide attempts.

There May Be a Problem If…

• Anxiety is causing problems in your interpersonal relationships.
• Engaging in risky behaviors, like excessively drinking alcohol or other drug use, is habitual.
• Frequent arguments or aggressiveness with a partner, family, or boss persists.
• Loss of friends becomes a frequent occurrence.
• Neglecting professional and personal responsibilities at work, home, school, etc. is ongoing.
• Persistent avoidance or isolation from social situations is recurring.

You May Need to Seek Professional Mental Health Help If…

• You feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness, and your problems do not seem to get better despite your efforts to get help from family, friends, or colleagues.
• You are finding it difficult to carry out everyday responsibilities, tasks, and activities, like an inability to concentrate on assignments at work or school, and your performance is suffering as a result.
• You worry excessively, expect the worst, or feel constantly “on edge.”
• Your behaviors and actions are harmful to yourself or others.

Experiencing unexpected or prolonged emotions and feelings associated with depression can be quite overwhelming, and even more so when compounded with holidays and other specific triggers. And beyond suffering in silence, there are specific places you can go or reach out for help.

Remember that you are not alone in handling emotional distress. The best type of self-care is recognizing and accepting when professional assistance is needed to change those kaleidoscope “shades of blue” to “shades of rose.”

Your Supportive Sisters in Mental Health and Wellness,

Kisha and Malika

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If you or someone you love is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7, dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.