How would you describe depression?

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   emilyzeinertposted 9 years ago

   How would you describe depression?

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   Dr Arsalan1989posted 9 years ago

   lack of satisfaction... from life. It can only happen when person want to achieve some thing and he fails.

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   JThomp42posted 9 years ago

   Depression is much, much more than having the "blues." It can affect your whole life. I have been dealing with depression and PTSD for years now. It can completely debilitate you. The depression can get so bad that it is such a chore to actually get out of bed.
   
   I also think the word itself is taken too lightly as your first answer shows. It is not something I would wish upon anyone. It is a chemical imbalance in someone's brain. Some are more susceptible than others. It is also hereditary. Depression is like living in a cold, dark dungeon without any hope of any kind. I hope this helps.

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      emilyzeinertposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer, JThomp. There are so many myths and misunderstandings about depression. The stigma is incredible.
      Like you, I have depression & PTSD. I also have BPD & anxiety disorders. How people see mental illness is ridiculous.

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   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   It's a feeling of being disconnected from others and feeling hopeless regarding having a better future. If one believes tomorrow is going to be just like today it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that life is not worth living.
   You take away a person's dreams and hopes for a better tomorrow you'll pretty much zap their desire to live. A depressed person views their life through a microscope and not through a wide angle lens or have a "global perspective"/ long-term view of life. They wallow in the immediate.
   Depression is the refusal to imagine a better life beyond one's present circumstances. Today is but only one page in one chapter of one's book of life. Every good book has some plot twists.

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      emilyzeinertposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I wouldn't say I agree with the wording "refusal to imagine a better life". At my lowest points, I have been absolutely unable to see a better future until something happened that reassured me that it will get better.

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe the word "unable"/unwilling is a better choice than "refusal". However my point is a depressed person has a "limited view" and not one that contains options and possibilities. Oftentimes they'll shun anyone who attempts to lift their spirits

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      JThomp42posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      dashing.. apparently you have "never" been depressed in your life. I mean real depression. Not just being sad because your dog died.

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      emilyzeinertposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      In my experience dealing with depression and helping others around me, the "shunning" you speak of is not so much of "shunning". It is the inability to accept that others can see the good in your life better than yourself

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      JT, I doubt it's possible for anyone to live over 5 decades without having experienced depression beyond having a pet die. My point is depression is based upon one's "perception". When one stops being depressed it's not due to the world changing.

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   liesl5858posted 9 years ago

   Depression is  a condition that make someone's life not worth living for. It is a hidden illness that affects a lot of people and is to be taken seriously. A person who is depressed loses the will or hope to carry on living. It happen to me before and I find it hard to get out of bed. I never understood the meaning of depression until I experienced it myself. I lost interest in everything like work, food, and even going out, I hated it.
   
   Depression is like a dark place- similar to a tunnel that you don't want to be in. No light, no life and it is all darkness. It is not a good place to be in. How to get out of it, by being strong and having hope. Also ask for help from trusted family or friends. Don't suffer in silence.

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