Depression

Clinical depression is an illness. Just like malaria. Or diabetes. Nobody “snaps out” of malaria or diabetes by an act of will. Why do we expect them to snap out of depression?
You treat malaria. You treat/manage diabetes. You treat depression.

In clinical depression, there is actually an abnormality in the brain and the manifestation is persistent abnormality in the mood; in this case, low mood. It is an ILLNESS.

When you’re depressed, you need help! Not criticism. Not unkindness. Not blame. Not sarcasm.

In clinical depression, the affected person:

•  is sad/has low mood most of the day, for weeks at a time, and the mood may remain low even with many happy events are happening around the person.
• often feels tired from within, and has no energy to carry out even the most basic of daily activities, for many weeks at a time.
• no longer enjoys what used to give him/her joy; no longer looks forward to pleasurable things.

How can you help a depressed or suicidal person?

• even ordinary befriending helps
• support and encourage
• seek help from a mental health professional