Depression and Anxiety
What is Depression & Anxiety
Lost a job? Heartbroken? Being bullied? You might feel depressed. Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life.
Anxiety is one of the most common forms of mental illness. Anxiety can affect your health. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, research suggests that you may run a higher risk of experiencing physical health problems.
The topic of depression and anxiety have been gaining more awareness lately, and since mental illness used to be something people would rather hide or suppress, this is definitely a good chance.
Serious Mental Health Issues
Although many peoples have unfortunately been overly depressed and have experienced anxiety to an extreme point, I do have a few people within my own circle of family and friends who have struggled and are still struggling through depression; some who thought of suicide, and one who actually did. I have witnessed how really serious it can be.
Depression is a really serious matter that is often shattered by society — usually labeling the person going through it as being “a drama queen” or “too sensitive”. When they feel depressed, it will be making a person unable to think or feel clearly.
Sometimes they say, “I am nothing, I am worthless, I wanna die”, it’s not a metaphor, it’s an actual feeling and intention caused by the imbalance of chemicals and hormones affecting how their brain works.
In Indonesia, when someone feels depressed or anxious, peoples just tell them, “you are not grateful” or “do prayers / go to your church to pray”. Asking God to help, might not that helpful to someone who depressed or anxious. They just need someone to listen to their feelings.
In my opinion, it’s not wrong to ask God for help, but at that time, there’s a moment in their heads, they just need you to be there. Some chemicals in their brains lost their ability to think clearly, so for them, it does not make any sense to ask God for help at that moment.
How to Help Them
I am no expert in this matter, but from my personal experience, this is how we can at least help.
- Listen, listen, listen. Listen to what they are telling you. And when they are telling you, don’t try to end it with simple (stupid) responses like, “naaahh, you’re okay, you’re just not thinking straight right now”, or “are you crazy? shut up!”, or, “I think you’re being too sensitive.. lighten up, tomorrow you’ll be fine”. Do not just simply end the conversation. A long, in-depth, open communication is what helps them heal.
- Instead, ask them, “why are you feeling that way?”. Let them share with you more, let them cry, let them scream, let them pour out everything that is bothering them even when it sounds so confusing to you. No judgments, just be a kind ear.
- Be there for them. Don’t let them be alone. Accompany them as much as possible. Sit with them. Eat with them. Watch TV with them. Go jogging with them. You don’t need to always talk. Just be present and be there.
- If you feel that they are not feeling any better, help them meet a psychiatrist who can help them further professionally.
If you yourself are the one going through depression or anxiety, I am truly sorry for your extremely difficult battle. Please please share your feelings with someone you can trust or feel comfortable with. Try to recognize the symptoms when you are not feeling yourself or when you are finding it very hard to simply feel happy about anything. Understand that this is not coming from you, but your mind is taken over — therefore try your very best to fight it. Be honest about your feelings and seek help.
