Depression-It’s time to Talk

Depression is set to turn out to be the biggest health concern of the modern society! The National Mental Health Survey (2015-16) reveals that nearly 15% of adult Indians need intervention for mental health and about 1 in 20 Indians suffers from depression. The good news is that depression is not a terminal disease. It can be stressful for the person showing signs of depression but there is hardly any logic to believe that there is no cure. As Buddha said “The way out is always through.”

Decoding Depression

The line between depression and sadness is thin.

Sadness or sorrow is “caused” by a sense of loss or disappointment like failing in exam, the death of a dear one, a break-up. All these events are likely to trigger sorrow. However, when an individual denies to disassociate the self from the “feeling of sorrow” and is not able to bounce back to normal life, it turns into depression. The longer it takes to overcome the sorrow, the worse it gets. Depression usually doesn’t set in all of a sudden one fine day, it sets in over a period of time when an individual is not able to fetch a supportive therapy to combat sorrow.

Kinds of Depression: Know the Signs to Fight the Fight

Depression may manifest differently in different people; it doesn’t strike everyone in equal measure or a similar way. While some may feel chronically sad, others may feel fatigued, unable to focus, helpless, pessimistic and unable to sleep. The permanence and reasons for depression also vary and broadly there are two categories of depression – Psychological Depression and Existential Depression.

Psychological Depression

As the name suggests, Psychological Depression arises in the psyche, prompted by a situation specific loss. The check points for psychological depression are as follows –

• Specific feelings arising from particular failure or disappointment
• A recognizable source like failure in academics, relationships etc. 
• Is temporary and changes with changing life-situations
• Can be rectified by addressing the problem causing such depression or anxiety

Cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, behavioural therapy along with medication can help one come out of the abyss of psychological depression.

Existential Depression

Existential Depression on the other hand is a rarity that has no logical ground or source of origin. Social environment at home, school or office contribute to some extent in developing questions related to one’s existence like “What is the purpose of human life?” or “Why do we exist?”. These questions cause excessive confusion and concentration disorder, to an extent that the individual loses sense of self-worth, self-respect and slowly lives a vegetated life, not wanting to do anything or meet anyone. The check points for existential depression are as follows –

• Generalized feeling of low
• An unrecognized source, it arises from within the self for no logical reason
• Is permanent and pervades all areas of life
• Difficult to rectify it as the source remains unknown 

It is usually treated with psychotherapy focused on helping the person to explore the meaning of their lives.

The Way Out

The feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness affect all of us in life at one point or the other. While some of us are capable to steer clear through the rigmarole of sorrows and joys, others need help. For a depressed person, it is important to keep himself engaged in recreational activities, exercise, eat and sleep well, and also have a close circle of friends and family with whom to share thoughts and feelings. If all these efforts still don’t help, opting for relevant therapies and medical intervention is advisable.

If you know someone who is going through depression, let him/her know that you are there!