House Arrest Depression (What It Is and The Cure For It)

Introduction

The bullshit saying goes something like home is where the heart is. But supposing you had a change of heart though – what happens when you are trapped in the comfort of your living room, and that becomes prison and your hell? What then?

What is House Depression?

House Depression is a negative state of mental well-being one suffers when under home confinement (house arrest) resulting from the restrictions imposed when on a supervision program. Picture Hell, only within the comfortable atmosphere of your own home.

Symptoms generally associated with house depression include anxiety, mood swings, loss of appetite, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts as the individual grows increasingly restless in isolation from the sheer boredom and withdrawal from human interactions on a day-to-day basis when serving out their sentence.

Look, being stuck and unable to go anywhere when your freedom is limited to the friendly confines of your home can get downright depressing. Sure, it is better than the alternative, but then again, is it?

It could be that you have been sentenced to house arrest or that you are on probation, but regardless, if you are serving a sentence that puts restrictions on your freedom, it is going to affect other facets of your life. You see, life is constantly happening around you, yet to always sit there, and not have the option to participate can get old fast. It can truly drive you mad, seeing as how it is like you are there, but not there.

Yes, you may be grateful that you’re not shitting in a cell, but still, it has a knack of wearing thin on you rather fast. It really takes a certain type of discipline to adhere to without cracking, ultimately having you suffer the consequences that result from your impulsiveness. A true test of will.

Relationship woes, children not able to understand, work issues, and the car breaking down, all will contribute to the stressful effect. And the bullshit will definitely bring you down, especially when your contracted employment obligation is hindered by your confinement.

Understanding House Arrest and its Effects

House arrest is like being grounded but on a whole new level. It’s a form of confinement to your own residence, often slapped on you as a penalty for a crime or as a condition of pretrial release.

The rules and restrictions can vary depending on where you live and what you did to earn this “privilege.” Understanding the eligibility criteria for house arrest is crucial because it can seriously mess with your daily life.

Whether it’s imposed by a federal grand jury or as part of a pre-trial release, the regulations and responsibilities are no joke. You might think being at home is a breeze, but when your home becomes your prison, it’s a whole different ball game.

The Reality of House Depression

House depression is a real kick in the teeth for anyone under house arrest. Imagine being stuck in your own home, day in and day out, with no freedom to roam. It’s like being a ghost in your own life.

The isolation, loneliness, and disconnection from the outside world can really mess with your head. The lack of freedom and autonomy can lead to depression, anxiety, and a whole host of other mental health issues.

It’s even worse when you can’t fulfill your contracted employment obligations, hang out with friends, or maintain relationships with family members. House arrest can turn your home into a mental health minefield.

Mr. Invisible Under House Arrest

I think the phrase out of sight, out of mind is definitely applicable at times, whereas things would be easier for my family (and myself) if I were not around. You know what I mean. The pre-trial release prohibits conditions that can exacerbate mental health issues, making it difficult to manage anxiety and depression.

Not having the luxury of being locked up in some faraway place, but being present in real-time, unable to help out on day-to-day activities and tasks will evoke natural animosity from your significant other and family members. Again, it is like you are there, but not there.

I had to quickly pull myself together and adapt to the situation, as you must if you are incarcerated in order to survive and function.

Im not going to lie – I did feel like a useless sack of shit for a large portion of my house arrest term. It was emasculating to watch my wife handle certain duties that I should have taken care of. And as a man, father, and husband, it took its fair toll, putting a tremendous strain on our relationship.

Understand, this is not for the weary. To those with the grandiose notion that being on house arrest is a cakewalk – well, that is absurd.

The initial break-in period of my sentence was a very sobering experience. I didn’t know what to expect and was not yet fully prepared for the emotional roller coaster one goes through in this saga.

Bear in mind, that it is not the depression to be worried about when on House Arrest. It is what boredom and depression lead to, which is anger and frustration. By far the most dangerous and worst part of all of it.

After all, what is depression going to get you? Sympathy (maybe), but in all likelihood no. It’s a pretty useless feeling too. It’s not like you’re not deriving a lot of pleasure from imposing your depression on someone.

Anger and frustration though, people will feel your pain when you impose that. You share more of a connection, sick as it may be, with anger and frustration. It is natural to feel this way. We are human – not animals. When we feel controlled and restricted by rules, walls, and/or electronic devices, it evokes a hostile response within most of us.

Add to that the monotony of it all. Week in and week out having to go into that office to report your whereabouts. Seeing the same people. You see and feel the animosity people have towards their probation officers. It’s a real mind f*ck.

Do not fall into that trap. Anger and frustration are very, very costly.

It makes one impulsive and unstable. Leading to rash (irrational), bad decisions. Decisions that affect your life and your family’s well-being, and ultimately alter the course of lives drastically.

Unfortunately, there is no course to help you through this. This is punishment. Is it any wonder why the recidivism is so high?

There are 2 ways things can go for you.

1. Let these feelings and emotions you are experiencing get the better of you, thus allowing it to screw you up. As a result, say goodbye to your freedom and your family.

2. Channel that anger and frustration into productivity, translating into a better quality of life. A life you’d like to design, as opposed to having one riddled with restrictions.

Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.

Buddha

So we know the deck is already stacked against us as a felon, having to overcome all the obstacles and challenges that are attached with it. Although punishment is being served, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This temporary pain will not last. Since it is for a certain duration with a distinctive end in sight, why not maximize the opportunity and make the most of that time? Have time serve you.

What I Occupied My Time & Energy With During Mental Health Issues

I was already a homebody, so there was no big culture shock when it came to my social life. I did, however, play the house arrest card as the perfect excuse in order to get out of certain functions, events, and people I didn’t want to see or hang out with.

Hey Felon, you wanna hang out?

NAH, I DON’T WANNA HANG OUT WITH YOU. PLUS I’M ON HOUSE ARREST.

I cleaned the house too both physically, mentally, and financially. A messy, cluttered house leads to chaos and unorganized thoughts, adding to more stress. Make the damn bed. Vacuum for God’s sake. There’s a reason the military takes pride in making their bed every damn day. It is called Discipline.

Mental Health Treatment for House Depression

When you’re dealing with house depression, mental health treatment is not just important—it’s essential. However obtaining mental health treatment while under house arrest can be a real challenge. This is where your pre-trial officer or probation officer can be a lifeline, helping you access psychological treatment and support groups.

Family members and friends can also play a huge role in keeping you connected to the outside world and providing emotional support. It’s all about building a support network that can help you navigate the mental health maze while you’re stuck at home.

Severe Mental Health Issues on House Arrest

House arrest can take a serious toll on your mental health, especially if you’re already dealing with severe mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.

The isolation and confinement can make these conditions even worse. That’s why it’s crucial to have access to adequate mental health treatment and support. Federal prosecutors and pre-trial officers need to consider the mental health implications when imposing house arrest.

And let’s not forget the role of social media platforms, which can add to the pressure by making you feel like you need to present a perfect online image. It’s a tough gig, but with the right support, you can get through it.

Navigating House Arrest Successfully

Navigating house arrest successfully is all about planning, organization, and keeping a positive mindset. First off, you need to know the dos and don’ts of home detention because breaking the rules can land you in even hotter water.

Staying connected with loved ones, diving into hobbies or online courses, and sticking to a routine can make house arrest more bearable.

Prioritizing mental health treatment and seeking support from pre-trial officers, probation officers, and mental health professionals is key. By staying focused and motivated, you can turn this challenging period into a time of growth and come out stronger and more resilient.

An undisciplined life is an insane life

Socrates

By taking control of your environment, and having it clean and organized, it will in turn lead to better control of your mind and thoughts. Having a support system during house arrest can make a significant difference in how individuals cope with the emotional and practical challenges they face. Clean and organized thoughts. And we all know that thoughts become things.

You’ll feel accomplished which will lead to momentum. Now parlay that momentum into other disaster areas of your life needing some troubleshooting. I also took full advantage of technology.

Having access to online tools, resources, and communications was a godsend, whereas in jail you would generally not have these everyday luxuries. Outside of work and family, my time was occupied with reading, writing, and exercising.

I learned about negotiation tactics with creditors, and how to consolidate debt. As a result, I cleared up tremendous amounts of personal debt, and increased my credit score significantly, ultimately leading to a home purchase.

As an outlet for that anger and frustration, I started writing and collectively putting it all together in order to form something that you’re currently reading and taking part in. My other outlet has been exercise.

Whereas before I was constantly worried, chain-smoking, and stressing, I’m now calm, centered, and focused. No more smoking.

I feel better, and stronger, and am able to handle any type of challenge that life hands me, much better than previously in life. And you’ll need all the strength you can get, especially being a felon, and all the little challenges and hiccups that come with it.

I guess the biggest thing to be gained is a better sense of clarity and purpose in life, with an appreciation for time and what can be done with it. It is not to be squandered. It (time) can work for you or against you.

I didn’t look at life, time, or what I did with it the same way ever again. In the end, I felt like an upgraded, new and improved version of myself. Ready to conquer.

You can too.