Understanding Depression

You're standing on the edge. This is it. With the long elastic cord in place, you don't have to worry about looking before you leap. The chances are that the free-fall might end catastrophically but you're going to take that risk. Your body prepares itself as the adrenaline rush urges you to jump whilst warning bells are numbing your brain. You've come this far, well-prepared even to scream. Why? Well, you're about to hurtle at an alarming speed to the earth way, way, way down below. It's a challenge and fun.

JUMP! You'll either live ... or die!

The halting end to your thrill-seeking plunge will jerk you back to reality.

It's on days of bungee-jumping-moments that you're ready to ride your emotions all the way and interact and eat and drink and just be merry. Then when the free-fall has been stretched to its limit, your happiness decelerates and you're abruptly and unexpectedly wrenched into a whole new world of distinct sadness.

That's depression: the ups and downs of emotion.

Depression reaches down into the depths of who you are. It plunges into the darkest corners of your mind corroding and impairing your thoughts. And yes, people find it difficult to understand you when you're depressed. Many people don't know how to handle the situation while others will simply avoid you. But there are people out there that will listen with an empathetic ear.

But exactly why do you suffer from depression? Here are a number of reasons why depression is suffered:

1. Imperfect people

2. Flaws in society

3. Change

4. Daily rivalry and competition

5. Perfectionism

6. Family problems

7. Work

8. Lack of money

9. Lack of friends

10. Feeling unloved and neglected

11. Feeling inferior or unworthy

12. Food and beverages

13. Substances like alcohol or drugs

14. Prescriptions

15. Nutrient deficiencies

16. Health problems

17. Trauma: unemployment, divorce or death of a loved one

18. Genetics

And believe me, there could be many more.

It's not always easy to identify depression because of physical symptoms that interfere. While suffering from depression you may simultaneously have physical problems like headaches, constipation, insomnia, or fatigue. There is a fine line between stress and depression. Some people may suffer from stress and anxiety, but they're not necessarily depressed. Others may be seriously depressed and stressed to their limits.

When you suffer from depression, there are always signs. Perhaps there's a visible change in your mood and behaviour. You may have a tendency to withdraw from others and prefer to isolate yourself. Often you find that you have absolutely no interest in life and prefer doing nothing. You may find a change in your eating habits: either you eat less or you spend your time over-indulging. The worst part of being depressed is that your body and mind is being deprived of a good night's rest. You end up feeling unworthy and become self-destructive.

The important thing to realize is that you're not looking for attention when you're depressed. You are suffering an illness. That's right! Depression is a serious illness. And because it can end in suicide, it's always best to get professional help as soon as possible.

The only reason why many people who suffer depression don't attempt suicide is because they belief things will get better. They believe in the light at the end of the tunnel ... even though they can't always see it. And that's probably where you are right now: bearing and tolerating the mental agony because you still have a glimmer of hope.

It's good to sometimes evaluate the intensity of your depression. It may be light or severe. If you're feeling down in the dumps, sad and discouraged you'll know it's a light attack when it passes after a few hours or days. You'll spend those hours or days feeling sorry for yourself, guilty and breaking yourself down.

The kind of depression to worry about is when you feel totally worthless and appear to be destructive. You cannot sit still or concentrate. The duration of your depressed state lingers for weeks.

You can't use the "power of mind" theory and think your depression will pass. You seriously need to find professional help. But don't just drink antidepressants because people say they work. There are so many antidepressants available and honestly, some will make an immediate difference whilst others will have side-effects and you'll have to test them out until the right one is found. As long as you're taking them under the careful supervision of your doctor, you'll be okay.

Thousands of people have been helped with the appropriate treatment.

When you're depressed, the last thing you want to know is that there are blessings in life. But there are two specific blessings that can actually make a difference to a person who suffers depression: hope and communication.

Hope has to be alive to make a difference. It's intangible, yet it's a powerful therapy. It is the basis of being happy and healthy.

When you're in your house and there's a storm outside pummeling at the windows, and you're scared out of your wits, it's hope that anchors within you so that you remain anxious but calm. You passively and patiently wait for the raging storm to pass.

Hope gives you an inner strength and it makes you feel good. And when you're really down and out and life seems worthless, reach within yourself and make one hundred percent sure the light of hope is gone ... and if you can honestly say there's nothing, not even a flickering light, then turn to communication as a desperate resort to save yourself.

One of the best remedies for depression is to talk about how you feel. The most important thing to remember is that you have to talk to the right person. If you cannot think of anyone, phone your doctor or the next best doctor - even if he's a stranger - and go visit him. The bad thing about depression is that you don't want to talk. Force yourself into the situation. Even a doctor who is a stranger to you will listen attentively. Anyone who listens with an empathetic ear has the power to rekindle the flame of hope.

Depression is an illness. It's not 'all in the mind' as many people believe. Once you take action and seek professional help, you're on your way to living a better quality of life. And life is worth living. This is a wonderful incentive to keep fighting against depression.