Happiness is a choice as they say but it is not that easy to just get over things when you are opposing with your own mind. That is how I see depression. Some would say that it’s just in the mind but that’s exactly what makes it difficult for people suffering from depression, their mind controls them, feeding them with negative thoughts, making them feel discouraged. Growing up, I diagnosed myself with depression for I worry about even the simplest things I encounter; little did I know that depression can get too serious.
When I was in college, I met this friend who is innately joyful. She smiles at everyone, befriends everyone in the classroom she just met but getting to know her more reveals what she really is going through. She shared that she has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder when she was in high school. She said that everytime it triggers; it causes her to lose her consciousness. I didn’t believe her until I witnessed it. I was surprised how depression can badly affect someone.
According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America, major depressive disorder is one of the kinds of depression where a patient experiences overwhelming feeling of sadness, lack of pleasure and interest to common activities. Other symptoms include, ”decrease or increase in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psycho motor agitation or retardation, constant fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt, recurrent thoughts of death and suicidal ideation with or without specific plans for committing suicide, and cognitive difficulties, such as, diminished ability to think, concentrate and take decisions.” The aforementioned symptoms are evident from her. She can’t control her eating habit and also finds it difficult to sleep at night. What could be worse than knowing that a friend has tried to end her life? Sadly, she experienced them all.
Due to the demands of school works, her depression triggered more frequently, I remember she would suddenly lose her consciousness two to three times in one school semester. As a friend of someone who suffers from depression, it can be alarming. Encouraging words help but they are not enough, this is what I realized from four years of being close with her. It’s like having a younger sister whom you need to guide and pay attention to every now and then. They need a lot of understanding and explaining.
My friend visits her doctor regularly for a check-up which makes her feel better. If ever she feels down, she would talk to us, her friends, and tell us she felt better afterwards. Everyone, even our teachers and school personnels have become aware of her condition and everyone started to be more considerate and understanding. The people around her learned to care for her more. Aside from that, she believes in the power of prayer. If she feels troubled, she prays and it calms her heart and mind.
If you have loved ones, friends or even those to whom we are not close to, let us understand what they are going through instead of saying that it’s just a thing they invented in their minds. After all, we don’t exactly know what they are experiencing. Give time to listen to people who are suffering from depression for you might help them extend their life, for all we know, depression kills as it pollutes one’s mind. Let us extend our helping hands, let us unite to conquer the depression that poisons their minds.
Depression comes in different kinds but each one affects patients in the same way. If you know that you are one of the people suffering from this or feel like you are one, don’t be afraid to talk about it. Whether you are suffering from depression or not, don’t fear to verbalize how you feel. Most importantly, remember that you have a place in the church where you can be closer to God. Talk to God, you might not literally hear his answers but I assure you that his answers can calm your heart, mind, and soul more than anyone else’s words. Whether you are depressed or not, God still blesses you if you just come closer to him.
Camille Cabal
EIC, Website Team, Media Ministry
Camille embodies a soul of a writer that’s why even though how many times she tried turning away from it, she finds herself not only coming back but also loving it. Camille finished her Bachelor’s degree major in Communication in Trinity University of Asia. She is now working as a freelance copywriter. Her desire to explore a new world is her reason for joining Media and Public Information Ministry. Being with MPIM for years taught her how passionate she can get. She believes that the best way to get things done is to put your heart into whatever you do.
