We all know that depression is a mental illness. It is something that gets rooted in extreme emptiness and isolation. The condition is something that we usually misinterpret as sadness. It draws us away from everybody as it grew bigger and bigger. That is why a lot of therapists aim to assist people with depression’s adverse effects. However, are we sure enough to understand all the things about depression? Are we sure that we can immediately identify its signs and symptoms by just looking at someone? Well, perhaps we should entirely look closely into it. Here are the things about depression that not all of us can see.
It Can Hide In A Happy Face
The primary physical description of depression is a sad and gloomy face. It is where we experience a prolonged and unstable emotional aspect, which reflects in our facial expression instantly. However, not all depressed individuals show it openly. There are those people who can hide their emotions by showing a happy and cheerful vibe. These are the ones who master the art of controlling their emotions for the perfect use of facial deception. But it does not mean they are manipulative and liars. Some of these individuals are just lucky enough to keep hold of their fear and sadness into their selves. Admittedly, it is not a gift. It takes a lot of time, practice, and a hell of traumatic experience to be able to self-contaminate unwanted emotions. “Loneliness is an epidemic, We’re the most socially connected society, yet so many people experience extreme loneliness.” psychologist Amy Sullivan, PsyD. said.
It Lasts Forever
Contrary to what others believe, depression has no cure. Once we have it, there is a tendency that we might suffer with it forever. However, that does not mean we can’t do something about it. There are a lot of things to try every day that will keep the mind and body away from the mental condition. And yes, those methods only keep us busy. The truth is, there is no definite certainty as to when and where we will experience depression. It occurs at any time of any day. That is even if when we think we are in the most exceptional circumstances that we are currently at. Same goes to its schedule in leaving our lives. We can’t control it from coming in, and we can’t quickly get rid of it even if we want to. That is the primary reason why we seek out for professional help. Because according to Dr. Kurt Smith, LMFT, LPCC, AFC, “Depression is a serious and tricky illness. Unfortunately, it can also go unrecognized for a long period of time”
It Does Not Follow Rules
Depression is something that changes almost everything in our lives. It does not spare anyone, not a child, not a teen, not adults: genuinely not anyone. When it strikes, it intends to hurt us. It does not offer a pause or a rewind. Its main reason for existence is destruction. That is why a lot of depressed people often end up hurting themselves. Some of them condemn people, while others take their lives and commit suicide. However, in some providential cases, other individuals use it as motivation. These people are the lucky ones who can turn things upside down with the help of the mental condition. Unfortunately, these significant people are limited.
It Does Not Make You Stronger
“Depression is more than an emotion or a state of mind, it is really a process. It is a combination of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.” Robert Allison, MA, LPC said. As much as we want to stay certain, we think that depression makes us stronger. That is because inside its elements are both bad and good thoughts that we can use to handle things around us. But honestly, depression is far from being a helpful motivational tool. Depression kills us inside and out. When people say that it makes you stronger, that is a lie. It does not support any of your mental health at all. Depression exists only to give you a massive amount of self-doubt, lowered self-confidence, isolation, sadness, anxiety, and stress. And if you have not noticed, the mental illness supports your weakness, vulnerability, and incapability in dealing with the challenges in life.
It Grows Naturally
When we are depressed, we feel life is in its worse case. We begin to realize that we need significant improvements and all that. There is this sense of acceptance that the mental condition appears because it is normal. But it is not. Depression grows bigger and bigger because we feed something to it. We let it have what it wants from us. We allow it to grow fundamentally where we often end up embracing it and longing for it. We stay and stick to it because we think that its existence means something into our lives. That with depression by our side, we can work our way out and recover from emotional and mental damage. But then again, it is not like that.
Understanding depression may vary from one person to another. People might not agree with how others may describe it, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is all individuals should find a reason not to let it be in control.