Depression is Real

I am sure that title caught your attention. Here's my disclaimer: I am not a licensed Psychologist or Therapist, and advice on medical health (including mental health) should primarily be from your licensed practitioner.

I did, however, complete my doctorate in public health with a dissertation focus on the psychosocial factors of health in chronic diseases. Basically, I've spent a few years researching how psychology affects our overall health and wellness. So now, let's get down to what I want to share.

The American Psychiatric Association describes depression as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. I know that sounds depressing (all pun intended), but the glass-half-full perspective says it is also manageable, treatable, and indeed not a death sentence.

Symptoms of depression vary from person to person. For some, feeling sad is observed; for others, it is having difficulty thinking, while others lash out in action. Additional symptoms include trouble sleeping, guilt, feeling incomplete, feelings of incompetence, or loss of appetite. Feeling depressed is undoubtedly not a feeling anyone longs to feel.

Please permit me to speak to the naysayers in these following few thoughts.

1. Depression is not simply having a bad day: Bad days have external factors that trigger them; contrarily, depression, in most cases, is independent of external factors. When we think of the socialecological model (a tool often used to describe the multiple factors to health), the innermost layer of intrapersonal health helps us understand that it starts from within. Understanding this is important in relating with a loved one who feels depressed. Asking them to change their environment and discussing external factors without assessing the need for intrinsic assessment is limited thinking. Now, though intrinsic, depression leaves you lost within yourself. In essence, there is a need to assess within because there is a disconnect between what is known and what is felt. Meaning you sometimes can't articulate or identify the factors why, but you know it's within you. It'll take some time for intrinsic assessment to yield meaningful changes. Be patient with someone feeling depressed.

2. Depression is not only treated by medications: The idea that simply being medicated, as you would a common cold or upset stomach, is sufficient to treat depression is flawed. As mentioned earlier in my first point, the socioecological model brings multiple factors together to determine health. These factors are intrapersonal (within self), interpersonal (relationship with others), institution (immediate environment), community (the larger environment), and policy (public affairs). To improve health (mental or physical), we must assess and address all factors involved. Medications are just one. Individual and group therapies are other ways of treating depression.

3. Depression is not "only" because you did something wrong: This is probably the most dangerous thought on depression. Asking for a friend, the last time you had a viral cold, was it because you went looking for the virus and then inhaled it intentionally? Okay, a stretch, but I hope my point is made. Feelings of depression are more often uncorrelated to actions taken before. Nonetheless, there is a place for decision-making that affects situations in life.
   

The stigma of being depressed is unfortunate, for depression is a disease, just as Asthma, Diabetes, or Lung Cancer.

So, if you're feeling depressed, what are some practical steps you can take in the moment?

1. Talk to a licensed practitioner. Affirming that stigmas remain, licensed practitioners have sworn an oath to keep all conversations confidential. In addition, the government protects your privacy with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, of 1996), which ensures your medical record is only shared with those you give permission to.

2. Have a good support system around you. The 2nd layer of the socioecological model discusses interpersonal factors, in essence, social support systems. Research shows that people who have social support (family and close friends) have a better chance of living healthier lives than those who don't. There is always someone that you can connect with. You could be an introvert who likes to sit on the couch and watch T.V. with someone else in silence; there's nothing wrong with it; it still helps.

3. Find Jesus. You know I cannot but bring the most critical factor to me to light here. It is crucial to balance your reality with what you may be unfamiliar with, and so if you are unfamiliar with Jesus Christ, google him and learn His story, why He came, and why He says He loves you and wants all things to work for your good. Your source of truth here will be A Bible.

If you were to take one thing away from this blog post, it could be this: depression is a disease, and diseases could be treated/managed. So be encouraged; read proverbs 23:18.

Best wishes,

L.B.