
Depression – the cancer of the soul.
“So, you’re feling depressed? Why don’t you change your diet? You’ll feel better.” Says another well meaning friend. “Oh! Just go for a movie. Just go out, meet your friends – that will do it.” “You know, you just need to start thinking more positively.” “Actually, I know about this Babaji – my friend started visiting him and felt better.” Another friend, writes in “My sister felt depressed after her baby was born and she went to this great psychiatrist. He just gave her some pills and she started feeling better.” “No, no!” another fried counters this advice – “don’t try allopathy. Homeopathy is a lot better.”
Leaves you feeling confused? Maybe you have tried some of these things but they did not work for you. They did not work for Amy Bluel, the Founder of Project Semi-colon, a suicide awareness and prevention project. Amy struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts for several years and finally succumbed to suicide. On the other hand, a young person recently talked about finding help on Facebook and was cured of his depression.
Depression is the cancer of the soul. Not everyone experiences depression in the same way and not everyone feels better with the same interventions. While western medicine offers certain treatment protocols as it does for various kinds of illnesses, diagnosis and treatment varies with each individual. A simple viral infection may not need you to visit the doctor but if you feel very sick or the illness lasts a longer time than expected, you have to visit the doctor. Similarly, we go through different moods and the blues may pass. But, if you continue to feel sad, anxious, helpless, overwhelmed or your everyday life, studies, work or relationships are beginning to suffer, then you do need to seek help. In addition, if you find yourself self medicating with alcohol, drugs, or sleep medication, then you need to know that those will only leave you feeling worse.
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness – it is an important step towards taking charge of your life. You deserve to feel better and you owe it to yourself to do what you need to do to feel better. Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are trained professionals who can help you feel better. Research has shown that sometimes talk therapy, which is how clinical psychologists and psychotherapists help, is all one needs. In other cases, a combination of medicines that psychiatrists are trained to prescribe and talk therapy is more effective. Be patient, and be persistent. It is a journey – it can take anywhere between a few months to longer to feel better.
2 Comments
Have a rewarding job which I don’t really enjoy. Working on something I am passionate about since last one year and planning to take a leap of faith and move to new career in September. The whole transition is causing lot of stress and anxiety which I feel is hampering focus and productivity. It would be nice to get some help!
Nice Article Mam,
one clarification why depression has been a common topic nowadays, 20 years back we haven’t heard much about these. Is it the way we are not able to adapt to the current trend, or are we taking to much on our mind with concerns and future.
Each one has different problems, even the past generations but I haven’t seen it as much as now. Going forward I feel things will get worse. What is your suggestion for the current generation to handle it especially for the kids?
Write a Comment
Why let go of resentments in midlife?
Recently at a workshop I asked the middle aged participants to think of a past hurt that currently simmered as a resentment. …
How midlife career decisions can affect your marriage.
She wants the big house, he wants a stress free life. Or, he wants the shiny new BMW, she wants a life more meaningful. This …
Mind-body issues affecting sex in midlife marriages – Part 2
The human body and mind are connected and the complexity of this connection is most evident when it comes to the human sexual …