Does Speaking Out Help Relieve the Symptoms of Depression

Arundathi said, "I am good for nothing. I feel sad all the time." She became silent.

"It is a long time since you spoke to me," Sharan said.

"What is there to talk about? I don’t think there is any use in saying anything. I feel as though something is burning inside me. I am in a bad situation." She replied.

"Arundathi, don’t worry. There is a solution to all your problems. One in every five people experiences depression at some point in their lifetime. A feeling that there is nothing to look forward to in life is a symptom of depression. It makes you think wrong. You will attach a lot of importance to things that others feel are insignificant. You will also believe that you are alone in this world and that nobody else is in the same situation as you. The use of depression medications is on the rise around the world. The probability of women experiencing depression is more when compared to men. If one of the parents suffers from depression, the possibility of their child suffering from the same condition is very high." Sharan said.

"Sharan, whatever you said is correct. But, why am I suffering from depression without any reason?" she asked.

Sharan said, "Look at the beautiful world before us; lovely evenings, tasty foods, and laughter of joy. However, you seem to see only bad things. Why don’t you see things that are attractive and beautiful? The problem is with your perception of various things. You will see only what you want to see. If your perception is not good, you will see only the bad in everything. Your perception decides what you should see. So, look at the good things in the world. "

"Are you telling me that my perceptions are all wrong? OK, I told you in the beginning that I am an insignificant person and I am not good at anything. I also told you that I don’t have good thoughts or perceptions about anything. Mine is a wasted life. Please leave me alone. I don’t have anything else to tell you," she exploded.

"Arundathi, please try to understand what I am saying," Sharan continued. "It is your brain that is causing the problem. In your brain, messages are transferred from one part to another with the help of certain chemicals. Serotonin is one such chemical. A reduction in the production of serotonin causes depression. That’s why it's important for you to have medicines that increase serotonin levels. "

"I don’t want to listen to your serotonin-depression theory. Nobody is satisfied with their life. Is anyone at peace with themselves at all? How can the void or sense of loss that I feel be treated through medication? "

"Arundathi, you are being misled by your perceptions. The nucleus accumbens, the central part of your brain that controls both happiness and addiction, is responsible for this. The functioning of this part of your brain is impaired. That’s why you probably think like this. "

"The things you talk about are totally out of this world! According to me, these things are unimportant. Whatever you say is meaningless. It is a fact that my life is filled with difficulties. I am scared of happiness. I am unable to do anything. Sometimes I panic. I feel it is difficult to even take a breath, "she said in a shaky voice.

"So what are you planning to do from now on?" Sharan asked.

"I know that I have to do certain things on my own to improve my present condition: take a walk every day, speak to others, eat well, stay away from my current surroundings, and share my feelings with others. However, there is only a remote chance that I will do these things."

He held her hands, caressed her hair, and embraced her. He wiped her wet eyes. She looked at his eyes woefully and said, "Sharan, I will take the medicine. Many thoughts are troubling me. Please listen attentively to my problems. I do not want your advice. I want to speak to you about myself. "

Footnote

Depression is a debilitating condition. A majority of those who commit suicide are those suffering from depression. Depression is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. When you try to suppress sadness, withdraw into yourself, become dangerously silent, or when you feel life is painful, you become depressed. In such a situation, seek the help of a mental health professional at the earliest.
 

Prasad Amore