Talk About It ...........

Talk About It….

• Between 10 to 15% of the of child and adolescent population has depression
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds

A common and a serious problem of our fast paced and stressful lifestyle is depression. The pressures and demands of our personal and professional lives sometimes cause some people to snap. It’s an extreme feeling of sadness and discouragement. Depression could happen to anyone and at any age. It does not cause insanity as is commonly thought. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why most people shy away from addressing it. It’s the social shame associated with such disorders that lead to them remaining untreated or even undiagnosed. What is sad is the fact that not until recent years has depression been recognized as a disorder. The common cause for it could be a terminal change or trauma like losing someone very close , a tragic encounter or changes like passage from adolescence to adulthood, peer pressure , sexual orientation, professions like modeling where the demand to maintain a certain kind of a look is very high. People who go through such a phase are at a very fragile state and it’s the duty of their friends and family to become their pillar of strength and support. Often it’s the family or friends deserting such people lead to the severity of the situation .There have been reports of depressed youth taking to drugs and other substance abuse because of depression along with desertion. Such issues have off late been addressed in many movies, songs, features etc.Many support groups function to cater to after treatment needs, and forums have been developed to give voice to this issue. However I still feel that depression is something that is still not taken very seriously in our country. Trauma, abuse and other social evils are so high up in the list of problems that perhaps this condition is not even thought of as a disorder. Or perhaps we as Indians are so used to seeing crime and its other ugly facets so often that we are immune to a psychological iisue.I have had friends who have been diagnosed with depression and I can tell you first hand that step one for their recovery is for them to know that they aren’t insane and that they haven’t become sinners. They need to know that their loved ones would not see them in anyway less capable just because a trauma caused them to put a momentary pause to their lives. Also do not leave their side when they need you the most. It’s the time provided to them to boost their inner strength that heals them more than the medicines prescribed. What is important for them is to accept the fact that a change took place and that change is the reality of their lives. And it’s the family and the loved ones who help them realize this When I helped my friend through her recovery process amazingly enough I too went through some kind of a self healing process where I kind of got attuned once again to a lot of sentiments I thought I had lost.

So do not shy away from helping those who require your help. It’s not your wealth that they want it’s your time .Depression is a disorder that could happen to anyone. So remember a friend in deed is a friend indeed. Don’t turn away when someone so desperately yells for help. Extend that helping hand of yours. You will be utterly surprised that at the end of the day not only would you be the savior but the saved too. I know I was.