MENTAL HEALTH

Understanding and Overcoming Depression Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

by Jocelyn Phan posted on October 4, 2021
Take out your favorite fall candle and notebook because this spooky season is also Depression Education and Awareness Month. Let’s get into what depression is, how to support someone through it, and healthy ways to battle depression.
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Take out your favorite fall candle and notebook because this spooky season is also Depression Education and Awareness Month. Let’s get into what depression is, how to support someone through it, and healthy ways to battle depression. 

Unfortunately, mental health is a stigmatized health issue that’s overlooked as a personal choice to be lazy, moody, or unmotivated. But, let’s get educated on what it really is. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.” This is a very simple definition of depression because there are so many factors that go into the illness itself. 

World Health Organization describes depression as, “complex interactions between social, psychological and biological factors.”

There are many different types of depression, but the six major types are Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Postpartum Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Atypical Depression. Each type has its own set of symptoms that vary for each person. The common symptoms they all share are feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion, and sadness.

Depression stems from a family history of depression, imbalance in brain chemistry, substance use, stress, environmental factors, or medical conditions such as chronic pain or thyroid conditions.

Approximately 264 million people around the world suffer from depression, not including the rise since the pandemic. If there are so many people suffering from mental health, we have to ask the question: what can we do to help? 

First, it is important to filter out the misconceptions about depression from the facts. Understanding that depression looks different for everyone can help crush the idea that a person must be visibly sad. Most people hide their depression under a mask to force positivity in social interactions, also known as high-functioning depression. This can lead to a form of toxic positivity, which convinces a person their depression isn’t serious and doesn’t need to be addressed by a professional.

It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to remind someone that. Understanding that there is no correct way to be depressed will dismiss the stigmatization of depression and get to the source of the issue.

After filtering out misconceptions and stigmas, the second thing to do is listen. Providing a safe and open space for someone battling depression is like buying coffee for the person behind you: unexpected but a nice reminder that there are is always someone good around. Being open to hearing about depression or what a person is going through will help them feel supported and heard. 

A depressed person can feel like their dark thoughts and feelings are the only correct things to believe. While they are valid to feel, depression tends to show the worse parts of the brain that aren’t always true. Letting them know you are there to listen and be there no matter what will provide a greater sense of stability in an internal world of dark thoughts. 

Providing reassurances of unconditional love can help a depressed person feel less alone. It is a common misconception that depression will cause all loved ones to leave or not love them the same. The feeling stems from feeling like a burden or a dark cloud in someone’s life due to depression. Hearing a loved one say they will remain supportive and loving is the best reassurance. It reminds the depressed person they are not alone.

Also, reminding a depressed person how grateful you are to know them and have them in your life helps them find a reason to keep fighting. Being caught up in depression makes it difficult to recenter with positive thoughts. It is no longer possible to remind themselves of the good things in life or the people who love them. It requires help from outside to bring them back in from floating in heavy thoughts. Some would say, it takes a village. 

If you are struggling with depression and can’t reach out to someone, there are some things you can try on your own.  It is beneficial to listen to your body. If you feel tired or like you cannot physically get up, it may be your body telling you to rest.

Most of the time, being in survival mode drains all the energy out of you. Take the time to reconnect with yourself and rest. If you have obligations that do not allow you to take the whole day, allocate a few minutes to turning off your mind and resting your body. You can try guided meditations or sit in silence. This can also be treated through a self-care act or day. Whatever self-care means to you, try to carve out some time for it. 

It is also important to reflect on how far you’ve come from the person you were a year or even a day ago. This will help you recenter yourself and remind you how strong and capable you are, especially when battling depression. 

If you are having a hard time working on depression by yourself, that’s okay. This journey isn’t meant to be taken alone. Reaching out for professional help brings relief and comfort in confiding in someone who understands depression and how to get through it.

There are apps like BetterHelp and Talkspace that provide online therapy at a different rate depending on your financial status. There are also face-to-face therapy options through private practices or hospitals that take insurance. All in all, there are many options to discover for help. You are not alone. 

Depression takes a large toll on a person’s mental health and physical health. We can only pretend to be okay for so long. Of course, we do our best to survive each day to get to the next. But, even that can be tiring. We all need a break or a mental health day, and that’s okay.

Be kind to yourself during this difficult time. Celebrating the little things help, even if it’s getting out of bed. However, there will be some days where being positive is hard. That’s okay, you can’t do it all on your own. Don’t give up, surround yourself with people you love so they can remind you how great you are.

This pain may seem permanent and inescapable, but this is only a part of your life that requires more work and healing for your inner child. There is still so much more life to experience. 

MENTAL HEALTH

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