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Monday, January 18, 2010

The demon of depression.

It starts subtly. So minor, it's much easier to neglect rather than confront it. Some say it is caused by shocking events. Others claim that messed up brain chemicals are the main reason. Either ways, once it grips you, it's really tough to get it off. Depression is real.

I used to be of the opinion that people will depression upon themselves, that it is the weak of mind that suffer from this pseudo-illness. I was wrong.

The symptoms for depression are many. Unfortunately, most depressed people do not know that they are depressed. They try to will the illness away, pretending that it is just a passing phase. Fortunately, it is very easy to know if you are suffering from depression, if you know what to look for.

The basic symptoms include:
1. Persistant sadness. It lasts for months. Even when people around you move on, you just can't.
2. Lack of appetite. Many people stop eating all together and lose a lot of weight in a couple of weeks.
3. No interest in pleasureable activities.
4. The most important though, is the complete lack of will to live. Many become suicidal.

The worst part about being depressed is that people who have not gone through the experience cannot understand you. They simply cannot comprehend the draining, sapping feeling that kills you slowly on the inside. The complete and unshakeable sadness that assails your very soul cannot be understood by a person standing outside.

The good news though, is that you are not alone. Depression is more common than you think, and best of all, it is very treatable.

So if you somehow find that you are depressed, there is only one thing you can and should do. Seek help. Now.

7 comments:

Garf said...

Yeah correct. And then those people who couldn't understand you start terming you like being a sadist which in reality is all together different.

Hard Exercises, action PC games involving a lot of blood and mayhem, a monstrous lunch/dinner, a masochist activity...these have helped me time and again to come out of it. With experience and current level of my expertise, i am able to know when i am depressed. :)

Sandy said...

@Garf
Nice, those are some things I use too. But I don't have much experience yet, so it is hard to detect it sometimes.

Nashe^ said...

I was crazy depressed last year. But after a while, I got to realize that no one is responsible for my happiness but myself.

Er. said...

Yeah, perfect. What people don't realize is that the only person to hurt them the most is "THEY" themselves. =)

Nicely written!

Sandy said...

@Nashe^
You are absolutely right! In fact one's very first duty is to ensure one's own happiness. (This is according to a Yoga book.)

@Arjit
Yes, in fact, a person can be their own worst enemy. It's like playing chess with yourself. It's so tough because your opponent(you) knows you thoroughly.

Er. said...

@Sandy
PERFECT! =) Wonder, can anyone actually manage to understand that?

Sandy said...

@Arjit
I should hope not!