Depression, the damaging precursor to sadness and anxiety, is a more serious concern than what most people perceive. A lot casually engage depression whenever things turn awry. Some even get hooked, making the mood the sole source of inspiration, be it for work or some artistic creation. It sounds okay at first, but when you learn of its harmful effects, not only to the subject of your ire, but also to yourself, you might consider taking your concerns astride.
How Depression Starts?
Depression starts from a simple negative reaction, which is perfectly normal. It can easily be buried in one’s thoughts, since its effects don’t carry much weight, especially for busy individuals. However, once those reactions pile up – coming from an assortment of events and individuals – the results could be dire. A single, decisive act, such as a heartbreak, is even worse. The simple case of sadness and anxiety transforms to depression, swaying one’s thoughts and emotions to engage in self-pity and sloth. Check out the national institute of mental health for a more detailed overview of depression.
The Unchanging Mood
When a person is depressed, the problem switches from the mood’s causes to the mood itself, without the afflicted realizing it. The emotional state grabs a hold of one’s thoughts and emotions, like a leech, and stays there as long as the person chooses to feel low. It eats away at logic and response, turning one into a robot programmed to seek out and react only to negative stimuli, save passions. Not before long, depression becomes addictive, since it is the easy way out, strange as it may sound. The comfort zone built around the mood prevents one from being productive. Unconsciously, it even takes away the desire to fix the main concerns, which resulted in depression.
From Depression to Manic-Depression
Manic-depression is the amplified form of depression, coming about when the mood becomes the initial defense mechanism or reaction even towards positive situations. In this case, the afflicted is so used to depression that it has become part of his or her psychological framework. Resistance, although possible, is not easy, given depression’s addictive stranglehold towards its victims. Think of it as a highly addictive contraband. It forces one to process only negative thoughts and emotions, while rejecting any trace of optimism, even towards passions.
The Dire Effects of Depression and Manic Depression
Psychologists always stress the damaging effects of depression and manic-depressiveness. With its ability to override thoughts and feelings, the afflicted could be pushed to doing something drastic, which is apparent in suicide or mass killings. The depressed individual fails to recognize the error in his or her acts, since morality is completely replaced by anger, retribution, and sheer vindictiveness – temporary insanity, as they say. Once the deeds have been done, the subject feels remorse and gets even more depressed in doing so, which is why some mass murderers end up killing themselves after committing a series of crimes.
- Lethargy
- Aversion from Work and Productivity
- Suicide
- Harm to Others
- A Decline in Health – the body responds to what the mind suggests. Placebo works in the same way.
- Struggle in Social Relations
- Failure to Reach Personal Goals
- The Absence of Personal, Emotional, Spiritual, and Professional Growth
Depression Treatments
When tackling depression, the subject is faced with two problems: depression and the root cause of the depressive state. This means there is no single cure for depression, since the causes are highly subjective. The way of thinking may be curbed, but if the root cause is not resolved, the afflicted can easily return to being depressed. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to handle the harmful emotional state. Simple remedies, those offered by professionals, and medication are available. They can even work in conjunction with one another.
Comprehensiveness is the Key
Taking away manic depressiveness is not a simple process. The mood branches out to different parts of the human psyche, latching on to perception. In dealing with it, a comprehensive process is required. The ones tasked to treat depression should listen to the subject’s lengthy accounts and gather details, as if doing research. The proper approach is, then, determined, since depressed individuals are extra-sensitive to some stimuli, based on their personalities.
When the approach has been established, the concerned friend or psychiatrist should be careful not to offend the depressed, while gradually influencing his or her way of thinking. Remember, the heart is the initial target, but the treatment process should be centered on the mind, before moving back to the heart.
Depression Medication
Antidepressants and other medicine are quite effective, but they also carry loads of side-effects. They come as the last resort. Better yet, they should only be purchased upon the advisement of a professional, preferably with a second opinion. They may switch off the brain’s receptors towards depression. However, as a result, a psychological imbalance may take place, which is another cause for concern.
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very low self-esteem, past unacceptable history reconnected to present situation merely one of the main problem that will trigger or cause resulted to depression.