Depression is really is a major problem for so many. You don’t have to be an empath to suffer from it, but it certainly doesn’t help you if you are one.
The problem is that unless you have experienced depression, it’s hard to understand what it’s like.
The other problem is that it’s not a one shoe fits all type thing. There are so many different forms and types of depression that it makes it hard to identify just exactly why you are feeling down, and what to do about it.
Talking is a good start, but unless the person you’re talking to doesn’t make it about themselves, then it may not be very useful.
The hardest part of being depressed is that you’re in a state of flux, where you feel like you don’t want to be here, yet unable to look at the reasons why.
There may be many reasons why that is, but often it comes down to finding out something that you afraid to find out about yourself, or remembering an incident that you can’t bear to face again.
For whatever reason, the pain and isolation is traumatic, and depression actually creates more depression, especially as you start to feel that you are being a burden to others, and you feel bad, or guilty about it.
There is also an odd phenomenon where someone who is depressed will sometimes make things worse by avoiding all forms of help and suggestion.
They go into a poor me / self-pity mode.
Typically this will take the form of:
– Nobody cares
– I don’t see what difference that will make.
– You can’t help me or give me what I need.
– You can’t understand the pain I’m going through.
– I want to hurt me, by hurting you, and if possible, push you away so I can feel even more wretched.
So, you may say, well, why doesn’t the depressed person just stop doing this? But it’s not that easy. Once you are on this downward spiral, you almost become seduced into going further and further down, all the while thinking that the world would be better off with you.
So much more to say on this topic, and I will do so, but those who are depressed, take heart. Know that you are not alone. Know that there are those who understand what you are going through, and know that there are things out there that can actually help you without harming you.