There are days when you don't even feel like getting out of bed in the morning? Your whole body feels like it's empty, and you feel like something heavy has fallen on your mind. You're so tired that you don't even feel like talking or laughing, let alone washing yourself or putting on new clothes. If you often feel like this, you're not alone. This is a topic that many people suffer in silence, but we definitely need to talk about it.
What exactly is depression?
Simply put, depression, or as doctors call it, Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) , is a mood disorder. It's not just sadness or boredom. It's a condition that involves the chemical processes in our brain and requires treatment.
In this case, you cannot even do your daily activities like eating, sleeping, and working properly. Let's hear the experience of a woman named Imade, who lives on the other side of the world, in America. She has suffered from this condition since childhood. The condition became worse when she was studying at university.
"I couldn't even get out of bed to go to lectures. It was hard to wash myself or put on proper clothes. I went to class wearing unwashed, wrinkled clothes. Talking to other people was also a great effort for me. I didn't feel any value in myself, I cried all the time. I also felt like there was no point in living."
How many people in our country are familiar with this story? Depression is such a thing. It tries to take control of our entire lives. But the good news is, we can manage this condition and live well without letting it.
Is this normal sadness? Or is it depression?
We all have moments in life when we feel sad. That's normal. But if that sadness lasts for weeks or months, and it completely disrupts your daily activities, it could be depression. Check out this chart, and you'll understand the difference.
| Characteristic | Normal sadness | Clinical Depression |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit | It will subside in a few days. | For more than two weeks straight, there is more time in the day. |
| Impact on daily life | Things like going to work and eating are less affected. | It almost completely disrupts work, studies, and family life. |
| Reason | There is often a specific reason (e.g. an exam, a fight). | It can occur even without an obvious reason. |
| Other features | When something happy happens, you can forget your sadness and be happy. | Not feeling pleasure in anything, insomnia/oversleeping, loss of appetite/overeating, feeling worthless. |
| Thoughts about life | Thoughts of ending one's life are very rare. | You may have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. (This is an emergency!) |
This is like diabetes and high blood pressure.
This is the most important thing we need to understand. When someone develops diabetes, we don't tell them, "It's something they made up in their mind, just try a little harder and get better," right? We know that it's a disease of the body. We accept that it requires lifelong medication, diet control, and exercise.
Depression is the same. Psychiatrists say that if a person has had a severe depressive episode once, they are more likely to have it again. If they have had it more than three times, it can stay with us for the rest of our lives.
But don't worry. It doesn't mean you have to be miserable all the time. It just means that, like diabetes and hypertension, we need to learn to manage and live with depression. When managed in that way, we can prevent the condition from getting worse and live a normal, happy life.
So what do we do? How do we live with this?
There are several steps to successfully deal with this situation.
1. Acceptance and seeking help
The most important and first step is to admit that this is a medical condition and seek professional help. Don't be ashamed or afraid. This is not your fault or weakness. Just as you would see a doctor when you have a fever, you should definitely see a doctor for this condition. You can see a general practitioner (GP) and be referred to a psychiatrist.
Please remember: Do not go to a pharmacy and ask for medicine in a situation like this. The best thing to do is to see a doctor, get a diagnosis, and get the proper treatment.
2. Understanding treatment methods
There are two main treatments for depression, and they are often used together.
- Medication: Your doctor will prescribe you medications such as antidepressants. These work by restoring the balance of neurotransmitters in our brain. These are not addictive medications.
- Psychotherapy / Counseling: Talking to a trained counselor or psychiatrist can help you identify your thought patterns, manage them, and gain the strength you need to cope with this situation.
3. Lifestyle changes
These things are just as important as medicine.
- Exercise: Do something like walking or swimming for 30 minutes every day.
- Sleep: Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time.
- Diet: Eat a nutritious, balanced diet.
- Social connections: Spend time with family and friends who understand you, love you, and don't be alone.
What to do in an emergency?
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, it is an emergency. Don't delay for a second.
- Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- Talk to a family member or friend you trust.
- You can also call the National Poison Information Centre (telephone number 0112686143) at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Depression is not a weakness or a figment of the imagination. It is a real illness that needs to be treated.
- You are not alone. Many people in Sri Lanka and around the world suffer from this condition, and they manage it successfully.
- Never be ashamed or afraid to seek professional help. Seeing a doctor is the most important and courageous step you can take.
- Depression can be managed very successfully with proper treatment (medication and counseling) and lifestyle changes.
- If you or someone you know needs help, take action immediately. It could save a life.
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