The result of dissatisfaction, multiple unresolved problems, sensitivity, lack of emotional training, depression is one of the most treacherous and seductive mental disorders. The patient wakes up unable to think anymore. Zero thoughts, zero feelings, zero existence.

How does the collapse occur?

In a second. At least so it seems and is told by patients. They talk about the present, relating to the past. “Before I got sick … I was present in reality. I liked going to work, I could easily understand what I was going to do. Now…”

“The feeling of emptiness is overwhelming. The depressed person feels the emptiness inside as the lack of an I. The depressive is aware of h absolute loneliness. They have no one to talk to anymore,” says psychologist Mark Hesper.

Michael is 35 years old, went through a divorce, changed his job and moved closer to work. On the day he put his last book on the shelf he felt that everything was different around him. Three days later, his parents found him collapsed near the shelves; he was covered with books he wanted to read, but he didn’t understand any of them.

Six months later, Michael was socially reintegrated, had drug treatment given by the psychiatrist and dozens of psychological counseling sessions.

Breakups, the death of a loved one, job loss, sensitivity, these are some of the factors that drive people into a depressive episode. Classical psychology says this: the factors can be biological, genetic, cognitive-behavioral. The stress is behind many unfortunate end stories.

“The subject is trying to achieve something, but they cannot, because they cannot find a solution. The result is a blockage. The blockage extends to everything that matters. The more sensitive the subject, the higher their predisposition to depression. Why? The sensitive ones do not accept the compromise, the authority, the imposition of the tasks,” adds the psychologist Mark Hesper.

What does a depressed person think?

The main theme revolves around the following notions: how lonely they are, how misunderstood. The depressive has neither the power to think nor to do anything if they are not encouraged.

“The depressive is sad about his own sadness and is unable to do anything concrete with their life. However, I would like to point out that sadness is seductive. Once installed on the subject, it is viewed with respect, which is totally wrong ‘, says the specialist.

How can we identify depression?

• We identify sadness. Accepting sadness is the key to accepting and treating depression properly.
• Loss of interest, even pleasure, is one of the main symptoms encountered in depressive subjects.
• Not adapting to a schedule and obligations. The depressive both rejects the schedule, which they see as unimportant, and perceive the obligations as a force to which they do not want to respond.
• Discouragement in the face of petty problems. Depressive insomnia generates black thoughts. The less they sleep, the more depressed they are, the more lonely and unimportant. At the opposite pole, there are hyperinsomes. Following their manifestation, the depressive subject is confused and the emptiness inside feels heavy.
• Changes in psychomotor activity may also be real symptoms of depression. The subject is either too much agitated, or too slow, both in movement and speech.

Causes of depression

Depression means shutting off energy waste. When the subject is frightened and misunderstood, depression is an escape route. Through depression, the subject reaches a consensus with the self: zero energy, zero responsibilities, maximum attention.

“Successful people do not stop work or education, regardless of their position in society. Depressives stop both from learning and from improvement. It is thus said: depressive subjects interpret the events and requirements around them negatively. The reason for this negative interpretation is found in both the lack of patience and the loss of the help with which they were accustomed,” says psychologist Mark Hesper.

Andrew is 19 years old and this is his first year at the University. In the first semester, he had good attendance all the time and the exams were not a problem. In the second semester, Andrew did not attend the classes anymore, and he did not pass the exams. Andrew stayed in the dorm room for almost 7 days, during which he did not communicate with anyone. His parents took him out from the dorm, back to their house.

Now, Andrew is at home, surrounded by loved ones, but also supervised by a clinical psychologist. Specifically, Andrew’s depression came from multiple sources: longing for home, loneliness, lack of sociability. Even simple tasks such as making the bed and preparing food seemed difficult to him. Why? Because someone always did these things for him.

How does a depressed person manifest themselves in their relationship with others?

“They are completely withdrawn. This is the first manifestation. The withdrawn subject feels feelings of guilt and devaluation, much more intense than all the others. When a neighbor tries to contact the depressant, he or she begins to complain, becoming extremely irritated, anxious or obsessively meditative.” says Mark Hesper.

Basically, the relationship with others no longer exists in the presence of depression. The depressed person needs help, does not accept it, but they scream for attention. The lack of communication turns the depressant into a frustrated and misunderstood person.

Example:

Why don’t people come to talk to me?

They ar coming, but you’re not talking to them!

There is nothing that I do not talk to them, they have to talk to me.

Depression at work is a blessing from the point of view of American psychologists. A depressive person at work is five times more attentive than the other employees. From my point of view, in the absence of shame and understanding of the personal impact they have in the department, the depressant goes off on its feet.

When are the pills indicated?

Drug treatment is useful in major depressions, but only after the patient is consulted by the psychiatrist.

Can love help?

“Love can be the solution. But who can love a person who has been up for days? Love transforms the seduction of sadness into the motivation to feel. Depressives say it: I don’t feel it. I do not feel that I exist or God, I do not feel love or pain. I do not feel anything. Love can change them,” says the psychologist.

The depression cannot be overcome but forgotten. Once the depression is forgotten, it is no longer related to us.