DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION

The world of human beings is not a fairyland, and life is not a perpetual picnic. Here happiness does not grow on trees, and wishes do not always come true. One has to accept life as it is, with all its joys and all its sorrows. It takes courage and an understanding of the nature of life and human condition to do so.

Man, in spite of all his achievements, is still a human being, not superman. He is a creature of emotions and sentiments. Certain things make him happy, and certain things make him sad. A little bird chirping in the early morning may fill his heart with joy. And the autumn wind shaking last dead leaves from the trees may move him to tears.

Everyone feels a little sad, a little worried, a little depressed at times. There is nothing wrong with it. It is as natural as feeling happy. There is no harm in being dejected for a little while. Depression is a natural reaction against a sense of loss, a personal misfortune, or the death of dear one. This is the normal kind of depression.

This normal, natural depression shows that we are capable of feeling and caring. It shows that we are not robots, and the hurry of this machine age has not deprived of the human qualities. It helps us to adjust to the changing realities of life. It brings acceptance.

However, when the state of dejection persists, of life with all its joys and sorrows. It becomes a real depression, some kind of mental disorder.

It is not always easy to distinguish between normal and abnormal depressions. The chief difference is intensity and duration.

Normal depression does not produce radical changes in one’s thinking and behavior. The feeling of sadness may disturb one’s sleep for a few nights, or cause him to skip a meal or two, or neglect the routine of life for some time. But loss it intensity as time goes by. Life reasserts itself, and everything falls into place once again.

The abnormal depression, called endogenous depression, is generally not related to any actual event or loss. If it has a cause, its intensity is excessive in proportion to the apparent cause. This abnormal depression is a sign of some kind of mental disorder. Some patients lose contact with reality and suffer from delusions. Others may become insensitive to events around them. Lose interest in eating and other physical activities.

Abnormal depression may be produced by psychological causes or changes in brain anti depression drugs electro-shock therapy and psychotherapy are effective cures.