In our daily lives, we get to hear our friends say statements like 'the food was depressing or I am depressed with the match loss'. Depression is often correlated with a disappointment, which can be bypassed easily; It is considered something as temporary as a bad day. Is it?
The fact is, there is something more to it. Instead of going into the clinical definitions of Depression given by ICD 10/DSM IV, let me put it in this way.
Depression is a feeling of prolonged sadness which makes the person feel worthless of himself: to such an extent that he or she doesn't feel like doing anything. Meeting daily chores would be so exhausting for them.. as exhausting as engaging in a physical fight.
People suffering from Depression feel that they are not liked by anyone. They seek external validation, try to seek appreciation and acceptance from others, so as to feel good about themselves..
When they are alone, they spend numerous hours lying down on bed, just thinking or crying intermittently. All the activities which they earlier loved to do, might appear pointless now. They feel sad, for a reason which is not known to themselves.
At this point, you might be questioning the logic in explaining a psychological condition in a forum like this. It is because... they are all around us. According to studies, 10% of Indians are severely depressed and we meet them everyday.
Yes we do. They would be the happiest person in the room, that always cheerful buddy.. who but, deep inside might be calculating their failures, or may be contemplating suicide.
One of the major reasons behind the suicidal attempts of young adults is depression and the statistics is aggravating.
No one is born with depression. Some experiences pull them into it. The good news is that they know something is wrong and they try to fight the condition in their own way.
Some of them, become vocal also about it. But most of the time, such confessions are underrated as mere sadness and given the advice that 'you will get over it'..
So what can we, as fellow beings, do about it? 90% of the people suffering from depression won't tell you that they feel unusual.
The person who needs help may not necessarily be the one sitting at the corner, a chain smoker or an alcohol addict. As said before, it can be the person next to you, the best employee or the extremely talented and beautiful girl in the office.
We cannot judge who that it is BUT we can definitely be receptive and approachable to people around us. We can resist ourselves from being a bully and give our time to people, who asks for it directly or indirectly, unless for a genuine reason. We can assure people around that they are wanted, by our words and actions.
One mantra 'Praise in Public and Criticize in Private’ can do wonders. You never know how many people you might be inspiring to live and give life a try once again ☺
#LetsFightDepressionTogether..