This World Health Day, let's talk about depression

As Matthew Johnstone in his video I had a Black Dog puts it, “It sucks hope and deforms perspective. Depression is not just feeling a bit 'down' – at its worst, it's about being devoid of feeling altogether.”

This theme for this year’s World Health Day is “depression”, a disorder that is estimated to affect 300 million worldwide. Perhaps an even more startling statistic is that about 60 per cent of affected individuals will never seek or receive help, a number that the WHO is trying to lower with this year’s “Let’s Talk” campaign. 

While the fast-paced life of the 21st century is leading to a dramatic increase in the number of individuals affected by depression, with an increase of 18 per cent between 2005 and 2015, the social stigma that comes with mental health disorders refuses to die down. The age of technology has made it more conducive for famous, successful people to talk about their personal battle with depression. Unfortunately, this disorder still remains a taboo topic inside the confines of most homes.

To a large extent, the Indian society remains ignorant about this debilitating mental disease and the damage it can do. We seem to forget that people suffering from depression cannot just stop being sad. Depression robs you of every shred of motivation and makes getting out of bed seem like an impossible task. It makes you tired and you lose your desire to seek joy or pleasure.

Depression is a dark abyss. It is a blackhole of worthlessness and self-loathing inside your chest that doesn’t let you breathe. At its worst, depression can make you take your own life. Depression can also affect your ability to think and rationalise and can also affect your memory.

Depression isn’t a figment of imagination. It is a real disease that can change the chemical balance of your brain.

If such an imbalance existed in your bloodstream, would you think twice about seeking medical help?

Depression causes a reduction in the levels of serotonin — a “feel-good” hormone – in your brain. Dopamine — another chemical essential for powering your motivation circuit — is also reduced. Depression doesn’t just affect your brain, but your body too. Depressed individuals show persistently high levels of cortisol — a stress hormone that reduces your appetite and could affect your sex hormones — in their bloodstreams.

Depression can lead to hormonal imbalances and could lead to further health complications like diabetes. Long-term depression can cause the shrinkage of one of the most important structures of the brain called the hippocampus.

We must constantly remind ourselves and others around us that depression is a disease that has a biological basis, and it may affect different individuals differently. It's not simply a form of weakness, and affected individuals must seek and receive professional help.

If you think you are suffering from even a mild form of depression, it is of utmost importance to talk to somebody you can trust. Several patients experience a feeling of helplessness, but there are effective ways to battle this disease.

If someone confides in you, or if you suspect that they may be depressed, encourage them to get help. In such dark times, having a support system can be all the sunshine you need to make it to the next day.

Depression is not a binary state and everyone has their own monsters. Depression is not a form of romanticised nihilism. Depression is not a chip you wear on your shoulder; it is the burden that can weigh you down.

Depression is not temporary sadness. Depression is not something to ridicule. Depression needs empathy and patience.

Not everybody’s depression can be cured with the same straightforward approach, but the road to improvement of mental health globally begins with this first step.

Let’s talk!

Also read - What not to say to me when I am hurting