A person doesn’t have to be a “slave” to depression or having depressive feelings. If you are trapped in the throngs of depressed feelings or negative thinking it will be difficult to escape. Depression will interfere with your life and prevent you from living moment by moment. You will be unable to make the next step towards a more satisfying life. The quality of your life will decline. Worrying about the present and future will be constant. Stress will become chronic.
When stress is chronic, the neurons in the hippocampus (learning and memory center) will continue to die, and they won’t be replaced. Your ability to learn and think clearly will be stifled. But in addition to damage in the brain’s memory center, and frontal cortex, chronic stress and depression will interfere with your social relationships. People will want to avoid and keep a distance from you. Friendships will not be as they were. Family life will be chaotic and ‘depressed.’
The Nature of Depression
Depression (or depressive feelings and emotions) is prevalent in modern society. There are many types of stressors that can lead to feeling depressed: Not being able to pursue one’s goals or cope with the everyday difficulties of life can make one feel depressed. One of the major types of stress is our relationships with others. When relationships go well there is joy and satisfaction. Too often, however, there are relationship issues or unresolved conflicts with partners, friends, and family. Mass media and social media may also be a source of stress and discomfort. The latest news in the media may be disconcerting. The uncertainties of life may lead to discomfort and sadness. We are continuously besieged with a plethora of stressful events.
One can also feel depressed over dissatisfactions in life: Low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence can make one feel depressed. A lack of accomplishment may be a contributing factor. Our overall view of life can make one feel happy or depressed, depending on our perception and life experiences.
Furthermore, relationship problems can be devastating, causing one to feel depressed or even suicidal. There can be many types of problems in our relationships with others. Divorce, desertion, and conflict can be upsetting and discouraging, which can cause one to feel lonely or rejected. Relationship problems can also lead to extreme conflict or violence. Depression can affect the most vulnerable persons.
Clinical Depression
At the same time many people may succumb to clinical depression, where there are biochemical changes in the brain. For instance, there may be a decrease of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, in the brain leading to a more chronic, depressed state of mind. The healthy neurotransmitter, Oxytocin, is also at a low level. Stress may accompany this change in brain biochemistry, leading to an increased production of the stress hormones, such as epinephrine and cortisol. At the same time there is a decrease in the soothing hormone, oxytocin.
These biochemical changes in the brain accompanied with “chronic stress” can lead to the destruction of nerve cells in the brain, especially in the learning center (Hippocampus and Limbic System of the brain). The neocortex shrinks at the same time.
Therefore when depression becomes chronic, there is a lot of destructive chemical processes going on in the brain. These changes can make depression even worse as it becomes chronic over a period of time. Medication, however, can relieve (not cure) some of the unbearable symptoms of depression. Serotonin can be increased to a satisfactory level, and the individual can function as well as possible. It is likely that many individuals can have a satisfying life when taking medication.
Taking Positive Steps
There are some positive steps that you can take to prevent or lessen the impact of depression. Each individual may do it based on one’s own situation. You will have to decide how much you are willing or able to do. Of course, preventing depression would be the best approach; in most situations you may be already depressed, but not in a deeper, clinical depression. Let’s first discuss stress and the stressors that provoke it:
The Stressors
Life is filled with many things that can make you feel stress. It can be financial problems or a job loss. It can be worry about the future, or regrets about the past. It can even be winning the lottery, which could radically change one’s life. An inner feeling of inadequacy can set off stress and depression. There are many events or situations that could cause stress–and increase the likelihood of depression.
Since humans are social creatures relationship woes often provoke stress, with the possibility of causing stress or depression. Some of the problems in relationships include: escalating conflict, violence, and feeling rejected or alone. Communication becomes impossible, which prevents one from expressing feelings and desires.
Therefore, there are internal, emotional states or difficulties in relationships with others (or a partner) that may become stressful. Depressed feelings (or a major depression) can result depending on the vulnerability of the individual.
It is helpful to be cognizant of the stressors in one’s own life, so that it will be easier to cope and deal with them. Focusing your attention on what is bothering you will help you to cope with the stressors that come your way.
Positive Approaches:
There is light under the tunnel. Living a positive and mindful life will help prevent the deep impact of chronic stress. And it can even lessen the severity of even minor stressors. Meditation, as a way of life, can better prepare you for stressful events or stressors. Calming and clearing your mind of toxic thoughts is a first step to prevention. And even when stressful events come, your calming and peaceful approach will strengthen your resilience toward stress.
Multiplying your interests will offset the deep impact of a stressful event. Find something your interested in, and immerse yourself in it. It should be something that you are really interested in to make a commitment. If you don’t know what your interests are take time to reflect and consider what it may be. Don’t be discouraged. You will eventually discover it. It will buffer you in the event of a stressful event.