How to Overcome Depression?

“Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.” - Sivananda



Although technology has brought out several advantages to the mankind it has also brought out several disadvantages. One of the major demerits is depression. Depression was prevailing even in the ancient days. But it has become rampant now due to the growing complexities and uncertainty in the world.

What is depression?

Depression is a state of mind where an individual is anxious due to several reasons. It is a state where an individual constantly broods about a problem which may be imaginary or real. It is a kind of sinking feeling and void. Depression is not mere sadness. It is beyond sadness. When people are let down by their loved ones they get depressed. When people don’t reach their cherished goals and objectives, they get depressed.

In the olden days, people used to approach religious leaders or gurus whenever they had the symptoms of depression. They used to ask several questions and diagnose the problem by boosting the confidence of the afflicted person.


Causes:

There are several causes for getting into depression. Repeatedly thinking about the negative happenings of the past may lead to depression. We all make mistakes. There is nothing to recall repeatedly about the mistakes. Mistakes help us to grow as refined individuals provided we learn lessons. Both genetic and biological factors are also responsible for depression. It may affect more among the weak willed persons.

Successive failures may result into depression thinking that there is something wrong with the approach. The problem lies in rectifying the approach rather than being unduly worried about the approach. At times, workplace conflicts may lead to depression. When are not understood well by others they tend to get depressed. In such situations, talking to the people directly is the only solution. Lack of love and affection from near ones, feeling loneliness, early childhood abuse, financial problems, substance abuse, and alcoholism give rise to depressed state of mind.

When people do something guilty and when something is done against their wishes they may get into depression. The bad memories will haunt them forever. Usually neurotransmitters that occur in brain and hormonal imbalances are responsible to depression. When they are in deep water they will feel it. When they are in financial debt the depression starts.

When divorced people don’t find right partners to share their feelings and sex, they may develop depression. When the sexual desires are not fulfilled due to lack of body chemistry between wife and husband, it may result into depression.

The challenge in the present world is that everybody wants to be a leader and nobody likes to a follower. People want success in overnight and in some cases they want success at any cost. When people set unrealistic goals they will not be able to achieve resulting into desperation. Likewise there are number of causes responsible for depression.


Effects:

There is lot of negative fallout arising out of depression. When people are in depression entire world looks to be bad, the people around themselves appear to be bad and in fact they feel bad about themselves. The afflicted people may not get sound sleep which is known as insomnia (sleeplessness) or may sleep for longer time which is known as hypersomnia (oversleeping). People develop anxiety and unfounded fears and phobias and it may also lead to dysentery. It may also lead to lack of concentration and appetite, irritability and in few cases it may lead to suicidal tendencies.


How to Overcome?

“Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.” - Grenville Kleiser

Depression is like any other ailment and it can be cured. It is essential to find the underlying causes of depression. Once those are found, it is easy to address the problem through right medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy plays a crucial role in overcoming the depression. Psychotherapy is the process of treating the afflicted by involving in conversation. It helps in digging out what is bugging the afflicted and finding the appropriate solutions to the problem. Below are a few tips to overcome from depression.

• Everyone feels depression at some point of time. Don’t succumb to depression. Fight back. Don’t become hopeless and helpless.
• Seek professional help. Consult psychotherapists and experts who can counsel you.
• Always surround with positive and motivated individuals.
• Go for meditation or yoga.
• Never brood over issues but think over ideas.
• Listen to soft music or the music that touches and energies you.
• Break your thought process by switching to other creative and constructive areas and activities.
• Write down what is bugging you. It vents out our inner feelings.
• Always engage your mind in progressive and developmental activities.
• Never think that it is the end of life. Think that it is only towards betterment.
• Keep your mind in your control. Don’t let depression control your mind.
• Share your feelings and emotions with others as it unburdens you. It will also give rise to new ideas to overcome depression.
• Go to a serene place and coolly analyze what bugs you. It will provide solutions.
• Hit gym regularly and do workout as it helps you raise your energy and enthusiasm.
• Be in the company of people who have sense of humor and enjoy their company.
• Focus more on your passionate areas and hobbies. These would kick start your mind with positive vibrations.
• Self-hypnotism helps in overcoming depression.
• Regular open discussions by parents with their children will help free flow of ideas about the problems and prospects within the family members.
• Build bridges not barriers. Develop supporting relations at the workplace so that you can share your problems if any. It provides ventilation to your hidden emotions and feelings resulting into relaxation of your mind.


Conclusion:

“Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.” – Socrates

No one has the right to depress you. You alone are responsible if you are depressed as you allowed your mind to get depressed. Depression is a common illness. It exists among all individuals at some point of time in their lives. The intensity varies. When it goes at peak level then it is the time to take a relook at it and take immediate corrective action. It is problematic when it goes extreme and unmanageable.

The world has become highly complex. The children should be inculcated with confidence so that they don’t get into depression. They should be taught to handle the challenges of life right from childhood itself so that they will be confident to take on the challenges in their lives. They become independent as well.

Look at things positively; possess positive attitude, right attitude and strong attitude to avoid depression coming closer to you. Learn to empathize with others rather than feeling sorry for the events or blaming others. Look at the problems on a clean slate. Depression is a state of mind and everybody can overcome easily provided they accept and realize that they have depression and take remedial measures immediately. People, in general, assume that their problems are bigger than that of others. But in reality, people don’t realize that others also have the problems probably bigger than them.

To sum up, past cannot be changed and future cannot be predicted. Therefore, learn to live in the present to avoid depression.


The End