As we all know, in the fearful side of many people’s minds depression still conjures up horrible misperceptions about mental illness and medication. People think of movies like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” where electric shock treatments and lobotomies take place for people who can’t control their emotions. I still hear beliefs that anti-depressants come with dreadful side effects such as turning people into zombies. Now you can roll your eyes and say that I am being overly dramatic with my thoughts, but in our society there are still people who are impatient with others and themselves when the word “depression” is used as a descriptor. There is the idea out there that people should be able to control their emotions and allowing ourselves to “wallow” in depression is a sign of personal weakness. In reality depression is nothing to be disturbed about. I believe that depression is a part of the natural cycle of life and not something to fear. Just as we sometimes get physically sick, when depressed we just need to take better care of our emotional selves and ask for help when we need it.
In some ways looking at depression as a personal weakness can be accurate. Since personal weaknesses are inherent in the human species, you could then see depression as a component of what makes us human. As humans we are a combination of strengths and weaknesses. We may have a hard time admitting our frailty, but if we can truly embrace ourselves as whole people, we are, in reality, stronger. As humans we exhibit a wide range of emotions such as joy, jealousy, contentment, rage, pride and humiliation. Depression is just one such state of being.
Depression can be viewed on a wide spectrum. On the milder side, we can look to Webster’s Dictionary which defines depression as, “low in spirits; being below the standards; a state of feeling sad.” I’m not sure there is anyone who can’t claim to have experienced mild depression. This would be a natural response to normal yet painful situations in our lives. To not feel in low spirits and sad at times would be inhuman.
There is a more comprehensive definition for depression that mental health professionals use as a guideline when we try to figure out how much help a person might need. The following are symptoms for a depression that may be more significant (as per DSM IV)
- Feeling sad most the day, nearly every day
- Diminished pleasure in regular activities
- Significant change in appetite (increase or decrease)
- Difficulty with sleeping (too much or too little)
- Feeling overly antsy or physically sluggish
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feeling of worthlessness or irregular levels of guilt
- Difficulty with concentration or indecisiveness
- Thoughts of death
As a guideline mental health professionals assess if there are 5 or more of these signs going on at the same time for at least two weeks. Realistically, if it’s only been a couple of weeks, people are probably using the resources of friends and family for support. It is only when someone has been dealing with multiple symptoms for a more prolonged period of time that they may think about seeking professional help.
Since depression can vary widely in depth, help can take various forms. If the depression is situational and milder in nature, sometimes just giving things time and finding someone supportive to talk through a situation is enough to ease it. When the depression is more ensconced, lasting more than four months and having an impact on life quality, it may be time to consider psychotherapy. Some people benefit from the aid of an anti-depressant for a period of time. Sometimes the depression is biological/clinical in nature; meaning that there is an imbalance in brain chemistry. There are indeed times when depression as a longer term challenge.
I liken our down times to our physical ailments. At times we just get the sniffles, sometimes the flu. These are ailments we can take care of just by slowing down and being more sensitive. If we get a viral infection we might ask a doctor for help. We might take a temporary period on an anti-biotic. Unfortunately, some of us have a health issue that is a longer term issue such as diabetes or high blood pressure. For this we need to look at longer term maintenance. Getting sick isn’t pleasant; sometime it is downright awful. However, it is a part of the natural cycle of life. The same can be said for depression.
Some people fear that depression will bring long term consequences. They are concerned that a lowering of performance, or an inability to activity participate in life may have life lasting outcomes. We need to remember that life is forgiving, as well as elastic. This rough period will be integrated into the whole of life. Depression can really zap a person’s energy. Many feel like failures for their inability to achieve as much (which actually feeds the depression). We must understand that anything accomplished during depression is a huge success considering the incredible effort it takes. Just has it is hard to study with a 102 degree temperature.
The reality is that with time, people can get passed depression. When they do, they gain skills to help them the next time they have a brush with depression. What is amazing is that through the process, people always come out stronger and more insightful. Depression helps them look at the world, life and their inner strengths differently. It helps them be more empathetic to others around them. Their understanding of themselves becomes more realistic. This difficult time as an incredible opportunity for personal growth.
It has been an especially harsh winter here in North Carolina this year. There have been some periodic nice days, but basically it has been cold and miserable. We have had a terrible ice storm and snow. The sky has been gray and the wind has been harsh. And on the days that I can’t get the cold out of my feet, I always remember that spring is on the way. Sometimes it feels like it is far away, but I always know it is coming. The flowers will bloom and I will feel the sun on my face soon enough. It is a given. Actually, the harsher the winter the more I appreciate spring. It is a natural cycle of life.
Additional Resource: If you are ready to do some “hiking” on this, but prefer to remain doing so solo for the time, you might considering following my blog. While this topic is discussed additionally at Milepost 5.2, I hope you might scroll back through older posts and start right at the trailhead. Hiking Into the Discovery of Your Strength