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Depression
Depression is a medical condition - like diabetes or high
blood pressure that requires treatment. Period. It is not a
character flaw or something you can "snap out of". Many people pay attention to their
well-being only when it vanishes. They have a mental picture of "good
enough" health. It's only when they cannot stand it any longer that
they begin to think about caring for themselves. Not a good idea.
Normal sadness comes and goes. Depression is not like that. It won't go away on its own any more than diabetes will go away on its own. Some depressions come in cycles, hence the rollercoaster image. In between cycles you may feel fine. However, you still have the medical condition. Depressed individuals find they have lost their ability to feel pleasure and are no longer interested in things they normally would enjoy. They can become overwhelmed with feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Loss of self-confidence will cause most to avoid situations that require any sort of responsibility for fear of failure. Sex drive may decrees remarkably, especially as fatigue increases. Many people who suffer from depression find that they have difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly. They may feel that they are unable to study or that their efficiency at work is decreased. More deeply depressed individuals find it almost impossible to watch television or read a magazine. This, of course, just reinforces feelings of ineptitude and the fear that one is losing one's mind. A devastating effect of depression is a gradual and ever increasing loss of a sense of one's value, especially as one withdraws further into one's home and does little or nothing. Often the company of others brings distress and pain. People who were once thought of as friends often begin to avoid the depressed person, further eroding self-image. "It feels like you are falling off a cliff into a black hole. Sometimes it feels as if no matter what you do it doesn't make any difference anyway - so why bother? It's hard to accept what is happening to you. I thought I might never get my memory and concentration back. Then what could I do? ...Recognizing it was the depression helped. Keep hope. Get moving even when you don't feel like it. You will get better." - Deborah, Portland (OR) Related Articles » Signs and Symptoms of Depression » Causes of Depression » Treatment of Depression » Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders » Anxiety Disorders, Helpful Hints » Bipolar Disorder » Schizophrenia » Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia » Types of Schizophrenia » Treatment of Schizophrenia » Who Becomes Addicted ? » Overview of Psychotropic Drugs » Antianxiety and Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs » Antidepressant Drugs » Antipsychotic Drugs » Antiparkinsonian Drugs » Mood Stabilizers |
