Depression : Don't be a Victim
Do you feel sad, angry, or disgusted with yourself? If these feelings persist more than two weeks straight, then you are technically depressed. Depression makes the person feel as though the life was being sucked out of them. They are drained into despair that many non depressed people can't understand. The very problem with many depressed people is that they have been that way for a very long time. People may go in and out of major depression and always feel a gentle malaise that takes some of the real fun out of life.
What Do Depressed People Do?
For one thing, depressed people watch a lot of television. In fact, they may watch so much television that it could be classified as their career or main hobby. Statistics show that watching too much television is simply a way to avoid life. People that watch too much television get fatter and fatter. Weight gain and social isolation inevitably come. Could you ever do something if someone asked you? A depressed person that is socially isolated and overweight will avoid social interaction. The reason for the avoidance is that it is stressful to them. Ironically, getting out and doing things with people is what they really need. And, what kind of fun things can you do with this type of person. You can go to dinner and a movie and talk about television and that's about it. If you are depressed, turn off the television. You should not watch more than 1-2 hours of television per day.
Depressed people are also on the computer a lot. They may turn to the internet, video games, or pornography. The idea is to just feel something different than the pain that they already feel. While these things may make someone feel a temporary pleasure, they will not produce any type of long term joy. They will, in fact, help to sicken the individual. The reason is that the depressed person is using these things to avoid people and social isolation is proven to cause depression. If you don't believe it, put yourself in a dark room that is completely quiet and strap yourself so that you can't move. Then, see how long you can take it. In a few days, you will be hallucinating all kinds of crazy things. The body simply can't handle being without stimulation. In a way, depression is the bodies way of telling you to get out and do something.
How Do People Become Depressed?
It's easy to see how people become depressed. If you have a social stigma like being overweight, then people may avoid you. The lack of friendship and societal rudeness lead many overweight people into depression. People that are different and socially isolated often have the hardest time not feeling depressed. If everyone is nice to you and loves you, it is much easier to be happy.
Depression can also occur from childhood. Children that are left alone a lot and neglected can feel that they aren't that important. It makes sense. If you value the child, why are you ignoring them. The child can develop a low self esteem. Once the self esteem is ingrained, it is difficult to remove. If you damage a child, the repair is very difficult to make in adulthood. In many cases, the child can't even remember the neglect or abuse. That makes it a hard battle because, how can you fight what you can't see?
In light of this, some therapists have moved into the controversial area of repressed memories to find out what is causing problems. Some patients have retrieved memories that were blocked out and that were very harmful to their psyche.
People also become depressed because of their physiological makeup. Some people have more energy than others due to natural hormones that are secreted from the thyroid, hypothalamus, and the pituitary gland. The difference is like night and day in people. It is proven from twin studies that there is a strong genetic component with depression. Certain physiology is more conducive to depression setting in.
Getting Help for Depression
The best news out there is that 80%-90% of people that have depression will find relief from therapy. Therapy most often involves cognitive therapy and drug therapy used together; it depends on how severe the depression is.
In most depressive cases, just having someone to talk with and make plans and following up with you is all that is required. The reason to get a good therapist is that many peoples friends are not that good at listening and aren't sure what to say. It takes real energy to be a good listener and try to really help someone. Friends typically want to have a fun and light conversation. A good friend may listen well, but not know what to say. The real kicker is that most people don't take what their friends say seriously. When they pay money to a psychologist, they feel it is more important and try harder to make changes. Why? The expert has spoken. Like placebo effect, it works even if it wasn't any better advice than what your friend said.
As a patient, it is important to find a therapist that you trust and that you like. They can become a great friend and help you throughout your life.
The main reason people don't get help for depression is that they are ashamed. They feel that they are weak in some way. While this may be true, does a patient feel ashamed for a weak heart. The patient may have eaten donuts and butter coffee for the last twenty years and abused their body with drugs. Yet, they do not feel embarrassed that their heart has problems. People that are depressed often have little problems that can be easily fixed. It is imperative that being ashamed about depression changes. By 2020, depression is slated to be the second most prevalent health problem in the world. Currently, it is a top problem, in society, that is growing. The baby boomers are getting old and with old age comes depression. People in old age lose spouses, income, dignity, and suffer. It is vital that our society do more to promote seniors mental health.
Suicide
If you are thinking about suicide, call 1-800-suicide and you can talk to someone, for free, about your problems. It is likely that they can help you to feel better. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in our society. People can often feel trapped and that it is the only way out. People that have serious depression need someone to talk with and given help to see that they really do have options.
If you are in a crisis situation, call 911. It is a lot better to call 911, than to hurt yourself in some way. Many depressed people call 911 to get help. Sometimes people just need a breather and then they are ok.
You Can Overcome Depression
Overcoming depression takes some real work and some uncomfortable realizations. The way to get better is to do be honest with the therapist and to do what they say. You aren't looking to make depression a career, but more as something to get rid of.
The reason I say this, is that some people think that the very act of taking a drug and talking to the therapist is their golden ticket to prosperity. When, in reality, you are the golden ticket to your own life.
Some depressed people continue to avoid work and responsibility. They refuse to exercise and have lots of excuses. They may continue to watch television continually. The depressed person needs to see that the way to get out of it is to do things that need done. Depressed people should work, make contributions to society, and exercise. Thinking that you can get what you want without the effort is silly thinking.
There is Real Hope for Depression
There is real hope. If people know you need help, many will make changes to help you. The greatest news is that nearly all people that get help for depression find relief. Ironically, the biggest problem with depression is that only around 10% of people get help for depression. The challenge to you is to get help, if you need it.
Final Tip
Pets are great relievers of emotional pain. A good pet will help to alleviate depression symptoms. Some people feel so strongly about this that there is a huge volunteer network of people that take their pets to people in need.
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