Let's get something set straight right here in the beginning. Depression, defined by the American Psychiatric Association is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Although this sounds a lot like sadness, it's much, much deeper. Depression is mainly caused by biochemical imbalances, genetics, and negative environments. Although this sounds an awful lot like sadness or grief, it is not.
I repeat.
Depression and feeling sad are not the same thing. Please do not use the words interchangeably.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when depression became so romanticized. People started associating feelings of deep sadness with the disorder and self diagnosing. It's a term that is quickly thrown into conversation anytime somebody wants to describe even the slightest bit of sadness. Depression takes over your mind and your body. It confines you to your bed. It distances you from your family and friends. It tears apart your heart and mind. It's not being upset because you have a big test coming up. It's not because you can't go out with friends because you have to work. It's a serious mental disorder that people feel like they can't get help for because it's so dramatized. So many people suffer in silence because they think that they're no different than everybody else. They don't want to seem dramatic, because everybody suffers from it, right?
This isn't saying that people who use this phrase aren't suffering from the disorder, because they very well could be. People just need to be smarter in how they use the term. Just today, I scrolled on my Twitter feed for about ten minutes. In those ten minutes, I counted twenty six people saying they were depressed because of finals, the lack of a romantic relationship in their life, they money in their bank account, and more. Out of those twenty six people, how many people do you think actually suffer from the disorder, and how many people do you think just wanted to be relatable online?
Depression isn't a cookie cutter, "you have these symptoms so you're depressed", disorder. There are different types of depression that affect each individual differently. Since depression is caused by factors that are different for each person, it affects their mood and behaviors differently. Anybody who can sit and say that their depression is worse than others truly does not understand the concept of depression. It cannot be worse, because every individual is affected differently. This is why when somebody takes their own life, a lot of people didn't realize they were suffering. They do it in silence. They think that they can't reach out and get help because everybody feels depressed. The hardest thing for someone suffering from depression to do is open up about what's bothering them. If we stopped romanticizing it, maybe more people would be willing to open up and seek the help that they need and deserve.
When we as a society can stop using the word depressed in our everyday vocabulary to explain minor inconveniences, we will be able to take a step towards helping those who truly suffer and never seek help. This also means that we as a society have to take people who seek help seriously. When somebody is depressed, and they've mustered up the courage to speak about it with you, refrain yourself from blurting out "same" or "me too". Not everything is relatable. Sometimes people need to be heard out. Listen to them. Console them. Advise them. If you can relate, do so in advice or encouragement. If someone is brave enough to step out and ask you for help, just do it. You can be the help someone needs.
If you are currently suffering from depression, there are so many resources to help you. A counselor, a friend, or family member is willing to help you.
You are strong enough.
You will conquer this.
You are not alone.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
(Available 24/7)
