A Bit About Depression

I have come to know that depression is a biological disorder of the brain. There are chemical messengers in the brain that regulate our moods. Scientists have identified nor epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine as three of the important chemicals that allow us to feel calm, happy and alert. There are various reasons why these chemicals may be out of balance. In my case it is believed that chronic stress caused the chemical imbalance. The chemicals were not able to enter the receptors, the brain’s neurons. Therefore my mood would drop to very low levels and I would cry excessively. Unless you have experienced the mood changes of depression you can’t understand how debilitating the illness can be.

The symptoms of depression are as follows: feeling worthless, helpless or hopeless, sleeping more or less than usual, eating more or less than usual, having difficulty concentrating or making decisions, loss of interest in taking part in activities, low energy level, decreased sex drive, avoiding other people, overwhelming feelings of sadness or grief, feeling unreasonably guilty, thoughts of death or suicide.

I remember as a student nurse that I had to complete a rotation on the psychiatric ward. There were several women admitted for treatment of depression. I remember thinking, why do you look so sad? Why don’t you take part in the activities we are offering you? Why don’t you fix yourself up with a little blush and lipstick and put some bright colored clothes on? Shake those silly blue feelings away. Stop feeling so sorry for yourself. Because it is an illness of the mind it is easy to say, I can’t see your ailment or I don’t feel what you’re feeling, therefore you can’t be sick. I have since learned that depression is a real illness that requires medical treatment. Just like a diabetic requires insulin to keep blood glucose stable, a person with depression requires medication such as antidepressants to help regulate brain chemicals.

If you or someone you know face challenges with a mental illness and you feel like you can't move forward, seek medical help. There are many resources available to help you through this illness.