What Life Experiences Bring Us Closer To Depression?
To address the topic of depression, I would like us to take into account the origin of the word; This helps us learn a little more about how it has been perceived over time.
When there was no information like today about mood changes, it was thought that everything revolved around magic and empirical therapies, such as diets, walks, music, art…
Depression, according to the origin of the Latin word “dejection”, is one of the oldest known disorders in the history of mankind. In ancient times, it was known as “melancholy” and that term was used until the Renaissance. By the year 1725, the word depression was already in use, and is now in force. With the advent of modern medicine, it is considered a form of mood disorder that does not allow us to lead a life or perform in a normal way.
Currently It is estimated that 10% of the population will be depressed at some point in their lives. Nowadays, due to various phenomena such as over-information, problems with the use of social networks, the dynamics arising from social movements and even environmental factors and new diseases, we can feel much more vulnerable to this condition at any time.
It is considered that for a person to reach a depressive state, they had to suffer at least one vital change perceived as unpleasant. In this sense, a series of classifications has been proposed that can help us structure them.
These refer to a life change in which the individual is negatively affected ; a failed relationship, an illness, job loss or inconsistency, etc.
2. Accumulation of small losses
They are small moments that over time they become more and more constant until a tolerance limit is reached.
3. Breaking behavioral changes
They occur when there are environmental changes such as: change of house, place of residence, change of school, change of job, change of social or family circle…
4. Increase in the quantity or quality of aversion
There is an increase in negative aspects in the environment, such as increased work, pressure for exams, stress, toxic relationships, health crises…
5. Loss of symbolic reinforcers
There are circumstances that cause people to stop believing in values such as justice a religious belief or something important that was believed in.
Elements that keep us away from depression
There are other factors that also affect the person and can contribute to overcoming depression, such as the following.
1. Lifestyle
The person must find emotional balance; When negative factors weigh more, that is when symptoms of depression arise.
To counteract it, it is important that people do pleasurable activities and have interaction with people who somehow inspire and motivate rather than drag you down.
2. Raise your self-esteem
When we achieve this aspect in life, we know that we are valuable enough to aspire to exciting goals and we do not allow ourselves to focus our thoughts on the negative aspects that are presented to us. In this way we can solve the problems that surround us and not take the bad things that happen to us so seriously, to prevent them from affecting us so deeply. Be careful, I’m not saying that we don’t care about those experiences, but that we see other perspectives to address difficulties constructively.
We are often immersed in guilt, and mitigating it is important to take control of the situation and not remain paralyzed by discomfort.
4. Search for adequate social support
Perhaps many of us feel that we do not belong to a group, or even to our family, where on some occasion we feel inadequate. But with the support of a professional We can greatly improve social skills or even eradicate that style of thinking that feeds pessimism and loneliness.
5. Avoid substance abuse
There has always been talk about the damage that narcotics and/or alcoholic beverages can cause. As the years go by, we increasingly see its use as something everyday; It is common that if someone refuses a drink, they feel socially displaced.
But let me tell you that in addition to the physical damage that drugs cause to the body, the emotional state plummets to the bottom of the sea; It seems that they serve to lift our spirits, but in the end what they do is make us feel depressed.
If we add that to our emotional state of depression, a very harmful cocktail is created.
When faced with these types of combinations of problems, it is necessary to contact a professional to be able to attack the root problem in an adequate way.
6. Avoid abuse of social networks
Maybe you follow people who awaken that feeling of depression and you hadn’t realized. It’s good stop following certain accounts that awaken those negative feelings in you.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone, what you see on social media should not govern your mood. To achieve this, I invite you to raise your self-esteem, and remember that it is very important to continue on your path without always having to look around.
