I was compelled to dwell upon this issue at the behest of my kitty cat which may sound ridiculous but as the narration ensues you can correlate to it. Recently we commemorated World Health Day on April 7 and this year’s theme was ‘Depression: Let’s talk.’ As long as homosapiens have existed they are known to have encountered ordeals of depression. There is no age bar to this mental illness. It can be triggered due to harassment, negligence of healthcare or some other dormant cause.
Several days have slipped by and my kitty hasn’t returned home and this in turn made its sibling very ill which eventually led to loss of appetite and sights of withdrawal symptoms. But as the days have progressed it is learning to cope with the loss. Well, it made me draw a deep comparison with the way we respond to depression.
People may recognise feelings of loneliness and days on end, feel hopeless but due to the social stigma may refrain seeking treatment. And if this goes unchecked for a longer duration it could propel a person to terminate his very existence. Living in this fast paced life does not offer us much scope to be our true selves. Instead we have to brace ourselves with shrudeness and live precariously.
At workplaces too when the employers expectations exceed the efforts put in my the employee it could lead to frustration and doubts about oneself. Even in relationships you scarcely see a partner ready to empathise and acknowledge the shortcomings of the spouse. We are just too prompt at shooting people with our words and ill-gotten actions. Medication does offer temporary refuge to a certain extent but eventually it’s our personal dealings which make a difference. How many of us are aware that there are people who are languishing in therapy just because we drove them to depression. And the victim who feels hopeless at this point in time is left to fend for themselves . Ultimately our personality is reflected in our dealings with people everyday. You may recognise a person who has suddenly withdrawn and seems to conceal their emotions or on the other end, seem to be overtly boisterous. Try understanding their shift in behaviour patterns and seek the person in confidentiality . Life is a long road with sharp bends and bumps.You never know when it could be your turn. Find the time to speak to people and strive to understand their insecurities.
Depression can make and break many a relationships if it goes unchecked. Many of our youth are constantly struggling to come to terms with the reality of life and succumb to suicide and lethal drugs. They struggle to find prompt remedies to the problem. It’s imperative that while medication might be necessary, addressing the cause that triggers the case should be of primary concern. Sometimes refusing to acknowledge that it could happen to our close kith and kin could seem a harsh reality but nonetheless talking about depression is the first step in seeking help. People living with depression do not intentionally intend hurting people. There are several people out there who have diagnosed themselves with depression and are simultaneously pursuing their perspectives careers. At times the depressive phase can be for a shorter duration. For example a person might be going through a financial crisis such as a job loss which can instigate unhealthy levels of stress.
You don’t have to keep yourself segregated but instead indulge yourself in the things that interest you or develop a new passion. Though the digital era makes all things convenient at the click of a button, it’s ironical that it can even estrange us.
Our brain is like a blank canvas processing our thoughts and absorbing images from it’s surroundings. Here’s hoping that you succeed in coloring your life in different hues and add a touch of shimmer to the shady episodes of your life. You have just one life so make it large. At the end of it all, your life is what you make of it. It will depend on the strength of your desires. Be victorious and not a victim of depression.
