We fancy ourselves sensory creatures; each individual endowed with a one-of-a-kind information processing system. This ability has allowed humans to thrive and dominate our planet; however, our strength also has downsides. The same mechanisms which allow humans to perceive beauty in the world can also have the opposite effect, resulting in darker, more negative perceptions of the world. This can overpower all positivity within the human mind. An evident case of this occurrence is referred to as clinical depression, which is a common mood disorder that affects people across the world.
Nothing operates along the lines of perfection. Situations often slip off the path of idealism. Disorders—commonly seen as imperfections—have historically received negative connotations. These conditions referred to as disorders are viewed as dysfunctional factors from society’s perspective. Just because someone “operates” differently does not mean that they are dysfunctional. Mel Schwartz, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, asserts that “We are human beings, not machines that dysfunction” (Schwartz, Mel).
Despite the stigma, sufferers of such disorders can function no matter what the symptoms might be. Having a disorder does not make you are any less of a human being. Humans are unique creatures with different ways of handling information, emotions, and inner thoughts. Although it may seem confusing, being different is normal in terms of the human race. Depression is a serious condition where one may encounter episodes of sadness, which sometimes occur without reason.
It is not easy to live with depression, and it can be explained as: “feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities” (Legg, Timothy). This being said, depression has serious effects on humans and their attitudes and emotions towards life. There are some situations that involve feelings of sadness, which is completely normal. For example, it would be understandable for someone to be deeply saddened by the loss of a loved one; however, depression involves feelings of sadness or hopelessness over an extended period of time (Legg).
Depression can spontaneously occur, and it is not easily remedied. It is okay to feel down in the dumps at points in life, but “feeling miserable and hopeless on a consistent basis is not normal” (Legg). There are many types of depression with various ranges in length and intensity of symptoms. For sufferers of depression, it is extremely difficult to overcome their deep negative emotions, especially without support from others. There are two major types of clinical depression: major depressive disorder (MDD) and persistent depressive disorder (PDD).
Major depressive order is considered the most serious type of depression. All of the symptoms possible to experience when suffering from MDD are unpleasant, including: “sleeping too much or not being able to sleep, fatigue or low energy most days, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and/or recurring thoughts of death or suicide” (Legg). Depression at this intensity level can not only affect the emotional and mental aspects of a person but the physical health as well. Feeling sad can also occur because the strength physically present is not in good terms.
This can lead to lack of motivation and cause serious withdrawals from positivity and hopes of recovering. Persistent depressive disorder has the same long-term tolls on an individual as major depressive disorder does, but it is chronic, meaning that it never goes away. The symptoms are very similar between both of these types of depression, but persistent depressive disorder “may be regarded as critical and unable to have fun” (Legg). Depression can occur in even the most happy-natured people, and it leads the mind away from positivity and self-worth.
It can tear an extroverted person from their outgoing and contain them to an introverted lifestyle. The symptoms of depression are devastating, and there are usually reasons behind the way we feel, even if we’re not aware. Regardless of the symptoms that may be encountered, Legg says, “Depression isn’t the enemy. It’s simply a warning that we’re not on the right path” (Schwartz). This disorder can lead to thoughts of death and, in more severe cases, suicide. Depression is not easy for anyone, not even the strongest people on the planet.
Particularly, when a depressive state overcomes an individual, it does not only affect the person directly experiencing the symptoms. The destructive conditions can also have effects on relatives, close friends, and people of the community. It may be confusing to think that effects are spread throughout other people than the single victim, but “No man is an island” (Morrison, Bill). This means that every effect is widespread to its surroundings. Often times, the effects given towards people closely connected to the victim can be just as severe.
Consequently, this can cause others to show resentment toward the sufferer. Essentially, “they care about the depressed person and want to fix the problem, even though the problem isn’t “fixable” in any direct way” (Morrison). This being said, joining the victim by understanding the emotions they’re experiencing may help to find ways to uplift them, but it does not really solve any current or potential problems. When someone you know is experiencing symptoms of what may be depression, do not turn from them. Instead, urge the affected individual to talk through what is burdening them.
By taking this little action, it could lead the person to seek better help. Schwartz recommends, “We must come to understand how the depressed person struggles and challenges” (Schwartz). Learning how to help victims accept the challenges that they are faced with can hasten the individual’s recovery. As American society has gained more influence, its standards have affected people far more. “A dominant theme in our society is that you should be happy, and if you’re not, there’s something wrong with you” (Schwartz).
Society can easily influence an individual to find faults in themselves that are not characteristics worthy of worry; it is very likely that “People are not [the] dysfunctional [ones]; social systems are” (Schwartz). Society has created a system in which certain emotions are stigmatized. All emotions and feelings should be universally accepted. Schwartz also states that “We are products of a cultural belief system that ignores or devalues matters of the heart and then turns and points its accusatory finger at those who suffer” (Schwartz).
Rather than focusing on helping others with their emotional struggles, we too often turn away from others in their times of need. Bringing people together to create stronger social support networks could help victims of depression. Depression is not something easily tackled alone, so it helps to have all the support toward recovery as possible. It seems true that “In our drive to live the good life, we typically isolate ourselves from relationships that might nourish us” (Schwartz).
As traditional social standards have changed, people have sought out materialistic matters rather than meaningful relationships, which can lead to confusion of identity. Looking to factors other than your own self-worth and concept can cause negative thoughts and, in some cases, deep states of depression. Seeking the approval of others does not positively contribute to our lives. Along the lines of a typically discriminatory society, it has become normal of us that “we lose our compassion and relegate depressed people to their diagnosis, [and] we tend to dehumanize them” (Schwartz).
The society in which we live has created a cycle that easily inflicts depressive mindsets upon individuals. Conditions could become better if we interacted with each other in a more helpful manner. “Loving support is the most powerful agent in the treatment of depression” (Schwartz). Spreading positivity and love at every chance possible can take dramatic steps in the right direction not only for society and others, but also for your individual well-being. Depression can affect people of all ages.
In fact, it is becoming more and more common for teens to experience depressive episodes. From observations of the past, “A person born in the 1930s was likely to have his or her first depressive episode between the ages of thirty and thirty-five” (Bloch, Douglas). Historically, depression was less common to experience at such a young age. Today, individuals are more likely to experience these episodes of depression earlier in life. Stating an observation of later years, Bloch says, “If you were born in 1956, your initial episode occurred between twenty and twenty-five” (Bloch).
This shows the ages that are expected to coincide with the first experiences of depression are lowering. The decline of society’s ability to provide positivity among people–especially youth–is present. A former victim of depression shared that “The best thing we can do is to open the conversation and urge our society toward acceptance and understanding” (Bishop, Faith-Ann). Furthermore, understanding depression as a circumstance, rather than degrading people who suffer from it, is essential to help victims of the disorder.
In conclusion, depression is far from a desirable experience. Its symptoms are devastating towards all aspects of human health; physical, mental, and emotional. Taking small actions to improve others’ states of mind can make a grand difference. In this case, it is not easier said than done; it is equally easy to say “I will help” and actually go through with an action to offer a helping hand to others. Depression is not impossible to recover from, and learning to accept that it is okay to not always be happy can quickly get you on the right track.