"I'm So Depressed": Part 1

How many times have you heard people use that expression? You've probably heard it so many times that its become as common as saying "hello", and unfortunately not as common as saying "I love you".

In reality, there are many people around us suffering from depression, but it is very likely that you will NOT hear those who are clinically depressed saying "I'm so depressed." That's why it's important to know what's going on in the lives of the people we care about, and to be observant enough to notice changes in behaviour that can range from sleeping less/more than usual to a loss of interest in favourite activities.

Unfortunately, the people who are suffering from severe depression might not seek help at all if they are left to do it on their own. It's not an easy task to get up and actually face your problems, and even harder to do it on your own.

But depression is not just hard on the person who is suffering from it; it can be just as hard, and possibly even harder, for the people who care and are there to help out. It can seem like an endless list of confusing questions: what should I do? how should I help? should I force someone to go to a doctor? is it necessary to take medication? how long will this last? how long has it been around already without my knowing it? etc.

There are a few things we need to keep in mind when trying to help. First of all, we need to let them know that we care about them unconditionally (which is a foreign term for many human beings). Second of all, we need to listen rather than contradict. Third of all, be patient; depression is not like a cold and will not disappear in a few days, but can be treated with the help and support of family, friends and physicians.

I guess I wanted to bring this up today to point out that there are a lot of things going on in the lives of those we care about that we choose not to see, or are UNABLE to see. There are things we choose to hide and keep to ourselves about our own lives as well. We all need to take a moment and look at our quality of life and realise that life's too short to live alone in misery, no matter how big or small is whatever we're hiding from the world. There are friends and family (and sometimes even strangers) around to help out, just as you are there to help others. Hand in hand, with love and support, we can make our coming days a lot happier and easier to deal with.

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)