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Depression
Everyone gets depressed. But not everyone suffers from depression.
Depression is a disease. A disease like diabetes, or like heart
disease. Like diabetes, it is often caused by a problem of the body, not
the mind. In the case of depression, it is caused by a chemical
imbalance. Someone with depression can't just 'cheer up'. It can easily
be aggravated by outside forces, the same things that typically cause
non-depressives to get the blues, but chronic sadness is often present in
those suffering from depression for no real reason.
Depression can run in the family, like many other diseases. It is also
a symptom of many other physical diseases or mental disorders.
The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression.
Taking antidepressants is not a sign of weakness. Antidepressants are
not "happy pills". They are a drug that helps to regulate chemicals in
the body.
Depression is not just sadness for a couple days. It's sadness for
weeks, months, or years. It's not just a maudlin or a under-the-weather
feeling... it's intense sadness and angst that interferes with day to day
functioning.
Chances are, you know someone, or will know someone, who suffers from
clinical depression (major depression), dysthyma (mild, long term
depression), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or bipolar disorder
(manic-depressive disorder). Or you yourself may find yourself going
through it. Please remember that it's not the sufferers fault. They're
not doing it to be lazy. They're not "wallowing" in their pain. They
aren't trying to get attention.
The feeling of depression feels like you're going to be abandoned by
everyone. It's hopelessness, helplessness, and sadness. It's exhaustion
and physical illness. Depression is feeling worthless and guilty, a
burden to one's friends and family.
People say, "I wish I could help you" or "I'm sorry I can't help".
Anyone can help someone who's depressed, if they want to help that
person. JUST LISTEN. It'd mean so much.
Another thing is "Of course you're depressed, listen to the music you
listen to" or "just look at the television you watch". The music one
listens to doesn't make them depressed, one listens to the music because
they're depressed. It makes them feel like someone understands.
There are lists available on this site about the Worst Things to Say
to Someone Who's Depressed and the Best Things To Say to
Someone Who's Depressed. Both these documents are well worth your
time. Please take a minute to look them over. It makes all the
difference in the world to know these things.
Don't tell a person how to get better. Just listen, show you care,
and offer a shoulder to cry on or a hug. It's hard to not say more.
Make a concious effort to be a good listener, to give them love. And
don't leave when the going gets rough. Acknowledge, give permission, and
love.
Self-screening test for depression:
- Feelings of sadness and/or irritability
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities normally enjoyed
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Changes in sleeping pattern
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
- Constant fatigue or loss of energy
- Observable restlessness or decreased activity
- Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death
If you chronically suffer from any of the above symptoms, please go to
the doctor. They can tell you if it is clinical depression, or something
else (the above symptoms can also be for many other illnesses), and they
can help you. You deserve the help.
Here are two simple tools that will help you find if you need to go to the doctor to get a diagnosis or not. But even if you aren't sure or it says you aren't clinically depressed, and you feel you may be, go to the doctor anyway. You don't have to feel this way.
(These should be used in conjunction with professional help.)
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