Whether it is meteorologically, astronomically, geographically, economically, sociologically or psychologically, depression denotes downward motion or state of being; decline, dispirited or dejected; reduction in vitality, vigor, liveliness, physical energy and activity. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines psychological depression as: a state of extreme dejection or morbidly excessive melancholy; a mood of hopelessness and feelings of inadequacy, often with physical symptoms.
How does a person become psychologically depressed?
A few years ago, when I was studying a course titled "Counseling Practice in Psychotherapy", the professor said that there are no "real" reasons for depression. Anyone can become depressed, at any time, with or without tangible cause, or pre-warning. "In fact", he said, "Even Jesus became depressed during His life on earth". In one workshop dealing with the subject of depression, a young university student, who was very intelligent and articulate, described her bout with psychological depression. She painted a picture of falling down a dark hole and feeling as if she would never reach the bottom. This feeling alternated with being trapped in an equally dark room. The darkness felt so intense, to the degree that it was as if she could not see herself.
To her and her family her experience was inexplicable from a social standpoint, because their family was not "dysfunctional", and all her life she had been well-loved, cared for and fully supported. The young lady tried to give some insight on the origin of her condition. She explained that without warning the forebodings came upon her one night when she was about fifteen years old. From the very beginning she was able to express them to her parents, and subsequently her psychiatrist. Her psychiatrist, who was the facilitator, said that there was nothing to fear; such experiences were fine as long as the client was being treated. She could give no explanation why her seven years of treatment had not bettered the young woman in any way. Her prognosis was that the young lady should accept that it was a condition that she had to live with, and as long as she remained responsible enough to continue taking her medication, she would live a "normal" life. Now to me, that was depressing!
My personal experience with depression
Some thirty-add years ago, when I was a young wife and mother of five children, (six if you should count my husband), while on my way to work one morning, I felt an unusual feeling washed over me. I thought it was because I had rushed out without having any thing to eat, not that I was a breakfast person, so I stopped at a restaurant to buy a cup of tea. I had intended to take the tea with me and drink it while driving, but suddenly I felt an urge to sit and unload. I sat and drank the tea slowly. I cannot remember if I had any particular thought on my mind at the time. Finishing the cup of tea, I stepped out onto the sidewalk in the cool morning fall air, and strolled back to where I had parked and duly paid the meter. Upon reaching the spot I froze. My car was no where in sight. Glancing around, I suddenly realized that the street was void of all vehicles. I became conscious of how deserted it all seemed. Seeing a police officer, I enquired of him, and I guess detecting my distress, he kindly informed me that they had had to move my car, because a state diplomat was scheduled to go by, and no vehicle was allowed to be on the street. Looking back now I realize that I had no interest in whom this state dignitary was. It could have been the Queen, President or Prime Minister. I did not care. Pointing up an adjoining street, he told me that I would locate my vehicle in safe keeping of the city towing company. There was absolutely no penalty, neither was I going to be in any trouble when I get to the office, but I found myself crying uncontrollably on my way walking up the avenue. I did not know why I was crying, so I could not give any explanation to the warm gentleman at the pound. The tears kept up for the whole weekend, to the chagrin of everyone in my family, so a visit to my family doctor was in order by Monday morning. After both verbal and physical examinations, his diagnosis was, depression.
"DEPRESSION!" I bellowed, when he said the word. "Whatever do I have to be depressed about?"
My doctor without flinching asked calmly, "Have you ever thought of ending it all?"
I had never seen him so serious. Hurriedly I retorted, "Are you asking me what I think you are asking?"
Looking directly in my eyes he asked soberingly, "Have you?" "No", I heard my own voice replied, because I was vigorously searching my thoughts to make sure that the answer to the question was really, no. When he continued to stare me directly in the eyes, I blurted, "I have too much to live for". "People with a lot less problems than you have taken their own lives." "I am not one of those". I said somewhat lamely, being so conscious of the serious implications of the conversation that I was engaged in. "As your doctor it is my duty to make certain that you are right. I want you to go see one of my colleagues. And fill this prescription right away and begin to take it."
He handed mea prescribed sheet. I looked at it intently trying to figure out what it said. I could not decipher even one letter. I wondered how the pharmacist would. I did not fill the prescription. Two days later, my doctor called to ask if I had begun taking the medication, and if I had heard from his colleague. I answered in the negative for both questions. He then literally ordered me to go get the prescription.
