Rainy season and cold weathers are often a difficult time for some people and if you google the word “SAD” ( in capitals) , you will know that it is a seasonal depression that affects a lot of people around the world. Apart from SAD and the forced lockdown and not much activity to do , there has been a rise in people feeling sad or depressed, anxious or angry and all these emotions are ok as long as they do not hamper the working of our day-to-day life!
It is such an important issue that in a dental blog too , we cannot ignore it . We have to understand that mind controls all- our thoughts, our self care, our organs and how we behave, react, respond and basically live! Without good mental health we cannot have good dental health as all of it is interconnected.
Sometimes we get up feeling heavy, sluggish exhausted and confused, but this is not clinical depression , it can be termed as depression only when that happens every single day and for months on end. With the recent suicides of celebrities and some young aspiring actors, the limelight is back on the benefits of good mental health.
Many a times we just are not motivated enough to go to work or even scared, we drag ourselves out of bed, and into the bathroom. We cannot even decide on simple things like not decide whether to shave or shower first, and keep staring blankly at the wall…well that is the time we need to see a mental health worker, a doctor, therapist or a good friend to talk to. Typical thoughts that run through the head of a depressed person every morning are will I ever get over this feeling? Will I ever be happy? Why do I feel like this all the time? Maybe this is normal and I will eventually get over it?
The most important thing to do is to understand that depression is just a disease like diabetes or cold and flu and needs to be treated, monitored and routinely checked.
A diary entry from a depressed person would read something like this- “Finally, I realised that even small tasks seemed monumental and overwhelming to me, like brushing my teeth or taking a bath, but I pushed on. I started my day by looking for faults in everything and everyone and I was very short tempered with those closest to me. On the outside though, I put up a great front so no one could see, but I was trapped inside a deep dark world, a personal hell which was dark and endless, it was a veil of dark cloud that refused to go and I was depressed and felt hazy “.
The greatest problem is not depression , but the feeling that no one will understand. There are medications, therapy and mindfulness techniques that can help you overcome depression completely , but the first step is • knowing that you are depressed and • the second step is to know that it is treatable!
The only person that can drag you out of depression is you, but for that one has to be absolutely committed to taking medications and being determined to defeat the monster of depression. Once the medicines set in one can easily regain one’s focus, drive, energy and care for self and others.
Depression is an emotionally draining journey that many will go through in their lifetime, but depression does not have to rule your life there is plenty of help available. Answers and treatments will vary from person to person what works for one person may not work for another. Allowing the state of depression to control you and be the norm will negatively affect you and others. Depression drags you down to depths that you feel you don’t have the energy to accomplish anything or even beat depression itself, a vicious cycle. Depression appears to cause many physical illness’s that can be overcome with treatment. It’s time now, for us all to understand and defeat depression especially in elderly people .
Being able to feel normal and handle life is your right. When people look at others that are cool and calm, they appear to have everything under control that might not be the case, because many of us can put of a really good front. Putting up a good front is ok for a while, but you need to address the disorders. “Depression slowly erodes your will and breaks down any attempt at your happiness for a normal life this is not what anyone wants.
Finally, I want all of you to know that depressed people are highly intelligent, loving and sensitive people that have a lot to contribute to the world, but they need to realize that they are depressed, admit it and find a solution. Remember – • Depression is a very serious matter, which does not discriminate.
• Depression does not care what your age is, what gender you are or even what your race or social class is.
• Depression can often make a person feel sad, helpless, hopeless and irritable.
• Depression is an illness that affects your body, mind, attitude, thoughts, sleep, energy, concentration, weight and behaviour.
• Depression is not a mood, it is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be simply willed away.
• Clinical depression can be devastating to all areas of a person’s everyday life, including family ,relationships, friendships, and the ability to work or study.
• And finally depression is treatable with medicines and meditation !
