Defamiliarising

depression
On awareness, de-stigmatisation & dealing with
depression
Depression is a weighty word. Explaining what one goes through
during depression has slowly become a topic of discussion over
social media and other forums, but has not necessarily made this
wholly relatable to all.

This is precisely what makes talking about mental illness a

difficult task. Relatability. Our support for a cause may only go
as far as our empathy does, as our ability to recreate what it feels
like to be in their shoes does. Instead, a rational recognition of
depression as a tangible resolvable issue that will require guided
intervention for the benefit of the affected is needed.
Therefore neither victimising nor survivorizing the issue is
relevant according to me. Ignorance among the people that
surround the affected person and the person themselves can be one
of the largest inhibitors for better mental health for the affected.

Though we are a long way from destigmatization, let alone a

genuine understanding for the subject, perspectives are now slow
changing, at least through social media which has now spilled over
to reporting about depression and mental health in general in
traditional media as well.
The National Mental Health Survey by NIMHANS
(National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences)
2015-2016 declares 1 in 20 Indians to be depressed after
interviewing a representative sample of 34, 802 individuals
from 12 states of India. At least, 1.9% of the population
has had severe mental disorders over their lifetime.
Currently over 0.8% which are severe cases require
immediate care and intervention. The urban sphere sees
more depression than the rural sphere, in fact, double.
Depression on the Inside
covert processes as described by the affected
An uneasy heaviness. An unsettling numbness.
An unusual hopelessness.
Disconnected. Isolated.
Even from myself.
 Like you are not yourself

Feelings of depersonalization (a state in which one's

thoughts and feelings seem unreal or not to belong to
oneself) can be a result of depression. The intensity of the
negative cycles of thought may cause a person to disengage
that aspect of themselves from what they think are their
true selves. The presence of this dualism could lead to an
incredible amount of friction and frustration in the mind.
Incessant thoughts. Exhausting confusion.
An utter directionless-ness
Too many thoughts, not many
paths

The rational, the emotional, the mentally ill sides collide to

form a series of thoughts that intervene in every action that
needs to be performed and every decision that needs to be
taken. These incessant thoughts often exhaust people of
their cognitive capacities.
A vortex. A spiral.
The cause would lead to the effect, the effect to the cause
 These thoughts come in a
cycle

The self-perpetuating cycle of negative thoughts causes

pain and at the same time serves as a regulatory
mechanism to stop further pain. It is formed in response to
a trigger and perpetuates itself for every other stimuli to
prevent more disturbing emotions.
Everything is a blur yet anything is a trigger for the hurricane inside
 So many thoughts, not many
words

The thoughts do not often make linear sense and people

are often not able to pinpoint at why they feel the way they
feel. This difficulty in making attributions to their every

conditions causes them to feel helpless and directionless.

 Depression on the
Outside
overt processes, a result of the hurricane on the inside
No one really knows. Or understands.
Im like a mask within a cage within a box.
 Masks

Social withdrawal takes place not because depressed

people hate company, but the pretence that they have to
put on gets tiring, an ardent reminder of what they are
precisely not. Recognising the mask from the self is
necessary for the observer.
Waking up is a nightmare.
Sleep is the only peace.
 Does the mind sleep?

The mind would require more rest due to burnout in some

cases leading to oversleeping. In some cases with caution
and need for resolution on overdrive, the mind would cease
to let the body rest leading to a disturbed sleep or even
insomnia.
 Simple tasks become the days obstacles.
Each breath becomes a sigh.
Common yet cumbersome

It takes far more energy to do the same thing than it once

did. Productivity decreases as a mixed sense of
pointlessness and guilt ensues. The struggle in the ordinary
becomes an evident symptom.
 Joy will never be the same again.
What once made me happy, now leaves me numb
 From Joy to Zilch

A declining interest in things that they once found

enjoyable is an important overt indication. The past seems
unreliable and most things seemed to have changed,
thereby enhancing the growing disconnect they feel.
 The touch of a blade is relief.
But it is also testament to my complete lack of control
 Physical diversions
Self harm, suicidal thoughts or negative expressions in
general are strong indicators of depression. Self harm finds
its place as a tangible manifestation of the pain that is felt,
a logical result of the growing articulation inabilities. It
yields some sort of temporary meaning to the affected
person, stemming from a feeling of guilt or of being
deserving of the pain.
 En Route Recovery
The path to good mental health and psychological stability
 Awareness

Sadness Depression
 Awareness
Dismissing ones state of being by the person themselves or the people around
them must cease. Sadness and depression must not be substituted for each
other.

Sadness results from a situational cause that the person is aware of. Sadness
fades with change in situation. Depression is prolonged and persists without a
trigger and colours behviours, perceptions and thinking. Self-critical thoughts
extend to consistent feelings of worthlessness in depression while they are
subjected to rational boundaries in sadness. Sadness still permits one to enjoy
what they usually like, a distraction of sorts. While this is possible in
depression as well, it primarily disables one in enjoying the things they like.
Chemical processes matter
 Its not you, Its in your
synapse

Understanding that one can be a victim of their chemical

processes is important. The co-dependence of the
psychological and the chemical will only be appreciated
when we see that mental illnesses like physical illnesses
can not be resolved through the power of sheer will, but
through biological modifications.
Reaching out, seeking help
 Solace in Others

Despite all the confusion and difficulties of articulation, it

is necessary to confide to the people you are closest to
whether they genuinely understand what you are going
through or not. One needs to take the risk of admitting
vulnerability to progress. Medications and counselling will
then systematically tackle the problem.
 One
step
at a time
 Break it down
When going through recovery, it is important to take things
slowly and in steps. Dealing with an illness and the
pressures of the real world is not easy. Breaking down your
mental health & personal goals and professional goals into
small chunks or steps is necessary to see palpable change
and improvement. One might be easily overwhelmed when
in a vulnerable and give up on the whole.
 Embracing yourself
through patience, guidance
and a whole lot of compassion
 Mindfulness
As one progresses through recovery, cultivating
mindfulness practices is necessary to guard and nurture
the mind from being susceptible to illnesses again.
Lifestyle changes and ideological changes are the most
difficult as they involve a long-term commitment. Such
acceptance, resilience and constant self-awareness is
needed for good mental health, whether one has an illness
or not.