Why does talking about depression in our society, is still a stigma? From my personal knowledge and professional experience, I have seen discussion about any disease with random people, often makes it worse. Sounds weird, but your mindset has a lot to do with your cure.
You should talk about it, but with the right people. Discussing with the right people means you will get help and feel better. If talking to someone makes you feel worse, then that person is not the right help.
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Talking about depression is still a stigma because many have faced the worsening of symptoms after talking to the wrong people.It’s difficult to talk about it because it makes us sad.Its difficult to talk about it because people are scared. It’s difficult to know who is right and who is wrong. So when in doubt talk to someone you trust. Simple rule. If you follow it, you will avoid needless stress about many things.
There’s a reason doctors have doctor-patient confidentiality. Medical conditions need understanding. Both the medical part of the disease and the psychological part of the person.Because it’s the second part which rules almost all diseases. I have seen depression from very close up. You can say I had a ringside view of it. What I saw, I hated. It was also something which changed my life. Since the events involve real people and their privacy I will just tell you how it affected me. As a child I got to know this word from the age I was six.
I knew I wanted to be a doctor and cure it. When I was doing my MBBS I knew the cure for depression like most diseases is a balance of multiple factors. A big one being genetics and environment. Mental diseases have a strong genetic component and can be expressed in various ways. So if you have a family history, you must take care. The genetics is not in control. The good news is a good environment will help in many cases. Smoking, alcoholism, substance abuse, abusive relationship, excessive work stress, sleeplessness, diseases, can all precipitate depression, in a genetically susceptible person.
The spectrum of depression: Ringside view
- Saw a close family member suffering.
- Two of my friends committed suicide one during our final exams and the second one afterward.
- Both of them were brilliant and good students. Quiet but never appeared to be suffering.
- Two cousins suffered.
- I struggled with mood swings when I shifted to a new place with a new job and a ten-month-old baby. For me writing, walking and gardening helped. My husband was extraordinarily supportive and nonjudgemental. I fought it, survived and promised to never let self-pity, disillusionment push me over. Its a choice you have to make every day when you get up in the morning.
All the experiences showed me the spectrum this word covers. If I didn’t go through that time I would lack the insight. One thing I can tell you, the struggle is real. The medicines will help. Your family will support you. But your mind and soul have to do the hard work.
I am a doctor and I avoid talking casually about it. Because the word is serious. If you focus on it, the thing grows and can swamp you. Clinical diagnosis of depression is a serious issue and the word should be used carefully. Since its a neurotic disease, you retain insight. In the early stages, you can still think and ask for help.
What is Clinical depression? (Source reference)
Depression is also known as a major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It is a common condition. It’s also a serious mood disorder affecting the quality of life. It affects how you feel, think, act, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. You may consider seeking help if you have any of these symptoms for most of the day, almost every day, for at least two weeks: (Source reference)
- Persistent feeling of morbidity, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, pessimism or “empty” mood
- Easily irritated
- Excessive feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Unexpected disinterest in pleasurable activities and hobbies.
- Easily fatigued
- Moving or talking more slowly an with disinterest.
- Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Suicidal thoughts and attempts. A failed attempt is often a cry for help.
- Undiagnosed multiple aches.Multiple problems with no definite cause being found.
I have only one piece of advice to give. When you think you need to talk to someone you must get help. Professional help. Talking to a supportive partner or parent is great. But random discussions with all and sundry will make matters worse. The world rarely understands. That expectation of understanding and the feeling of betrayal makes things worse. But more importantly, your brain may be giving you signal for something wrong with your body. Depression will affect how you think, sleep, work and feel about yourself.
Talking about Depression
- Ask for help early
- Get the right help.
- May include treatment of an underlying medical condition
- Medicines and long-term psychological therapy
- Exercise
- Creative Hobbies are important
- Gardening improves mental health
You may or may not agree, but talking to the right people will help. Must get help early wherever you are. It’s not easy but don’t make it harder. Comment below to let me know your thoughts about this important issue.
Sharing is good Karma!
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Hey Dr. Amrita from BTC.
I’m glad you joined our blogging community.
Thank God for your love and concern for people who are suffering depression. We all go through times of feeling down, experiencing frustration, discouragement, sometimes feeling desperate, but, after reading your article, I feel I don’t really have depression.
Several years ago, the stress of taking care of my ageing mom, who was becoming more and more dependent on me, took its toll, because I got little relief. At times, I thought I was losing my mind and wanted OUT! But, I really didn’t want to kill myself, I just wanted relief.
I cried a lot. I thought I could handle it and didn’t want to give her over to the care of strangers, but finally I had to, because I couldn’t take it anymore.
Now, even though life is stressful at times, I don’t feel like I once did. I thank my God for taking me through that time of my life, and for guiding me now, and I have found much more peace.
Blessings,
Cindy, DIY Bohemain
Thank you, Cindy . You are a good person and that you took care of your mom when she needed you most made you stronger.Being a caregiver can be very difficult and we all need help. It is one of the most difficult jobs in this world.
You are so right, Amrita, when you say that we must share our feelings with someone who understands and who won’t be judgemental, or won’t know how to react. I also feel using the term depression, or bi polar casually is something that needs to be stopped. For, people know not what these two illnesses are all about! Thanks for sharing this detailed article, Amrita. I am sure it will help someone.
Exactly the reason why I wrote the article.Most people use the terms casually without knowing the truth about it.
I’ve seen depression from close quarters too and it is really heartbreaking to see the person suffer. Thank you for this helpful and relevant write up.
Thanks Sonia for sharing.Its note easy.
I couldn’t agree more about the environment helping people be better at dealing with depression, as well as talking with the right people.
True that.
thanks for great suggestions. I feel sometimes that i am in depression. After reading your blog, I felt I am OK.
Thanks…
Thanks, Kalpana for being so honest about your feelings.Glad you found this helpful
This is such a helpful and insightful post! I applaud you for raising awareness on a subject that many more people are experiencing in society today. Though I’ve not experienced depression first hand, I’m all too aware of how lives are being affected by it. Thanks so much for this helpful post x
It is so important that we destigmatize depression – so many people are afraid to admit they are depressed an ask for help because they are afraid of how other people will see them. I applaud the courage of celebrities who come forward with their struggles (like Prince Harry), so that people can see this is a treatable disorder and nothing to be ashamed of.
I actually have a relative who sufferen depression but too bad did not survive and she took her life despite medical helps and family supports. I hope this post reach out to more people and take depression seriously.
I always believe that mind had the real power to heal you. Be it any problem. Thanks for providing such an informative and personal view point towards depression.
Depression should no longer have a stigma attached . I believe that is why so many people suffer in silence and sadly why so many choose to end their lives .
Couldn’t agree more. Depression should no longer be stigmatized by society as it affects so many!
Thank you for the enlightenment. I also agree that we have to start speaking out about it and stop making it a stigma.The situation sufferers are out in is sad. I hope more and more people become aware.
I’ve been there and know how depression can transform a happy life into one with dark, bitter experiences and feelings all at the same time.
For me what worked was following my passion- writing, diligently, life coaching and alternative medicines- Tibetian. All this was life changing. And of course excercising regularly.
Writing proved to be so cathartic for me and it’s been life changing for me.
It’s essential for a depressed person to seek help as soon as the symptoms appear before it is too late.
Though I would say the health care for mental health is still to evolve drastically in India. We have a very long way to go. But what is heart warming, is more and more people are now open to talk about their depression than say 6/7 years back.
Thank you Natasha for sharing your experience.
Very informative post.
Very needed post and that too coming from a Doctor and someone who has seen the suffering from close quarters. Yes we as a society need to grow to the fact that like body psyche also gets tired and then gets sick. Now the internet has become a great support for fighting psychological ailments as you can talk to any psychiatrist through your mail without being recognized by your society. However,in this secrecy lies the weakness of our society that labels psychological patients weak and trivial. But anyways the internet doctors are great relief when it comes to sharing weird things happening in your mind.
Thank you Neeraj
A great article and the post is worth reading as it can be helpful to many who are waiting what to do. Thanks a lot for talking about depression.
Thank you
Good piece of information..I believe it is the mind that is the root cause of all depression.
That’s true to some extent.
Very pertinent topic. I wish more people will embrace it and be open about it. Do check my post on the topic I did almost a year ago
Oh definitely will read it,