Frequently Asked Questions About Depression

My father got involved in a car crash that took his life five years ago. Before passing away, he told the paramedics not to revive him and make sure that his kidney would go to me because I needed a transplant. I did not have time to mourn for him because the surgery had to be done immediately. And when I woke up, he was already six feet underground.

The kidney transplant turned out to be successful, and my mother and sisters wanted to throw a party for me, but I did not feel like doing it. In my head, there was no reason to celebrate. I kept thinking, “Did Dad refuse to be resuscitated so that he could save my life?”

When the doctors released me, my mother insisted that I should go back to my childhood home so that she could look after me. However, I said that I would feel more comfortable in my own space. She reluctantly agreed, so I told her that she could come on weekends when I had no work.

A woman who is standing while looking at a distance
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The thing was, I only made my family members believe that I went back to my everyday life. On weekdays, I would spend most of my time at the cemetery, sitting by my father’s grave. On weekends, I would pretend to be my old self and hang out with my mother and sisters. I still could not do physically taxing activities due to my previous surgery, so we would mostly stay in the house or dine out at the nearby restaurants.

When I Got Diagnosed With Mental Illness

Despite my white lies, I still did not think that anything was wrong with me mentally. I was in the mourning phase; I thought it was only normal for a grieving daughter to skip work and practically do nothing else. Unfortunately for me, my sister’s friend worked at the same publishing company I was employed at, and she raised her concern about me not going back to work even after my leave ended two weeks ago. 

I went home from the cemetery one Wednesday and found my entire family in my living room. I was not surprised that they managed to enter the house because they knew where I had hidden my spare key. I was surprised by their appearance because it was far from the weekend. But based on their serious faces and how they sat in a semi-circle and left the middle seat for me, I got nervous.

“Hey, what’s up? You should’ve told me you were coming. I would’ve—” 

“Sit down, honey,” Mom cut me off firmly yet gently.

It was a cold winter evening, but it felt like I was in a hot seat as they stared at me with those unreadable eyes. 

“Is there anything wrong?” I asked.

“Diane called me,” my sister started. “You said that you had gone back to work, but she said you didn’t. Where have you been going?”

I sighed. Looking at my feet, I replied, “Dad’s grave. I had been going there every day because I didn’t get to say goodbye as you all did.”

“Do you think Dad would be happy to see you wasting your career like this? He gave you a new life – you should live it,” my mother uttered, her voice shaking.

Her words felt like a smack on the head. I did not think of it that way in the past. I did not consider how Dad might feel sad about my actions. After agreeing to see a psychologist – and eventually getting diagnosed with depression – I returned to work. This time, I asked my manager if I could handle the blog department to start writing depression articles about my own experiences. She readily agreed, and that’s how my healing journey through writing started.

Writing And Seeking Therapy

For the following weeks, I dedicated my time to writing and seeking therapy such as electroconvulsive therapy or talk therapy. I would come up with blog ideas, take notes during my sessions, and talk to my family about my progress. Slowly but surely, I felt that I was getting better. I was no longer spending my days at the cemetery, but I was still sad and felt that I was walking on eggshells around people and my family. My pen became an extension of my thoughts and feelings, so I never felt the need to bottle everything up again.

How My Life Started To Change

One day, I received a call from my boss. She said that people had been reading my blogs and had given me positive feedback. She also mentioned that one of the readers had shared my article with a mental health support group and within a few days, my blog had gone viral. 

The positive response I received was overwhelming. People from all over the world shared their stories and gave me words of encouragement. I felt like I was not alone in my battle against depression. I also saw that I had a platform to reach out to those who were going through the same thing and support them. 

Life Only Got Better After That

That was the moment I realized that severe depression for people with depression was not the end of the world I had gone through a difficult period, yes. Although it was tough, I had come out stronger. I was grateful to my dad for not only giving me a second chance at life but also for allowing me to help others. He taught me that life is a precious gift and that we should never take it for granted.

For the following months, I dedicated myself to writing and helping others. I continued to share my story and created a blog page where people could read about my journey and find resources and support. I also started to volunteer at a local mental health center and helped organize support groups for people suffering or those who experience depression for at least two weeks.

With time, I started to understand what my father had done for me. He did not give up on me, even in his last moments, and I will forever be grateful for that. His death was a heartbreaking loss, but it also allowed me to use my major depressive episode experiences to help others. His legacy will live on through my work, and I’ll continue to honor his memory by helping people through their struggles.

How I Am Doing Now

Today, I’m living a life that my father would be proud of. I’m a successful writer and mental health advocate, and I’m doing my best to make a difference in the lives of many people. I’m also in a much better place mentally and emotionally. I’m still mourning my father’s death, but I’m no longer living in the darkness of depression. I’m living my life to the fullest, and I’m thankful for everything that my father has done for me.

What Are The Four Major Causes Of Depression?

Depression can be caused by several different risk factors depending on age, gender, and more. The four most common causes of depression are abuse, illness, genetics, death, or loss of a loved one. These four common causes of depression have been found to cause a significant portion of the depression rates.

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What Are The Most Effective Ways To Treat Depression Research Papers?

There are several research papers published on the matter of depression treatment. Studies delve deep into different ways of treating depression and its effectiveness. Studies show that the most effective treatment methods for depression are counseling one-on-one, CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills therapy, psychodynamic therapy, supportive counseling, behavioral activation, and problem-solving therapy. Of course, you must consult with a doctor to determine the best treatment that is most effective for you.

What Are The General Methods Used In Treating The Condition?

Depression is mostly treated through therapy, counseling, and medications. It is highly recommended that we have a strong support group of our closest family and friends who can support us during this time, especially when dealing with treatment and symptoms. It is also important to do what we used to love and be happy with as a slow transition into everyday life. Talking it out will help heal from depression, so make sure that you reach out for help from healthcare providers when you know that you need it. 

What Is The Primary Cause Of It?

There is no one primary cause of depression. It can be caused by many different external and internal factors that may differ from person to person. There are cases caused by hormones and chemical imbalances in the brain, and there are cases caused by trauma abuse. Generally speaking, depression can be caused by many things without really being able to identify a specific one.

What Is The Most Significant Cause Of Depression?

There are many causes that researchers point to when it comes to depression because no one is sure what causes it and why it happens the way it does. Sometimes, in severe conditions, depression can cause substance abuse, death or suicide, and other medical conditions. However, there are only a handful of causes that reoccur. These causes are Trauma or abuse, genetics or family history, illness, chemical imbalances in the brain, and hormonal changes. 

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What Are The Four Types Of Depression?

The four types of depression are Major, Chronic, Manic, and Persistent. Major depression is the most severe of all four types where you most likely are constantly in a depressed mood, and you might have lost interest in daily life. On the other hand, chronic lasts the longest as it can stay with you for an average of a year. Manic is also known as bipolar depression, where you might feel extreme manias and extreme lows or both at the same time. Lastly, seasonal is a major depression that happens seasonally.

Does Depression Count As A Disability?

Yes, depression counts as a disability because it causes a person to be unable to do any task physically or even enjoy daily life. Under the Americans with disabilities act, depression is also considered a disability. Depression (even if it is mild depression) affects your moods and your ability to work or live life as normally as possible. 

How Do I Know If I’m Bipolar?

It is always best and most recommended to have a doctor’s consultation because going on the internet looking for signs and severe symptoms might lead to a self-diagnosis that can further harm you. However, to see if you need help, look out for depression symptoms of high mania periods and extremely low periods of depression, or it can also happen when you are thrilled yet extremely sad.

Other symptoms commonly found in individuals with bipolar disorder, as well as various mental disorders, may include impulsivity, anger management issues, difficulty in controlling emotions, difficulty concentrating, and more. When experiencing these symptoms or other concerning signs, it’s crucial to consult a health professional, especially if you have known risk factors for depression or other mental health conditions

What Are The Two Types Of The Mental Illness?

According to the diagnostic and statistical manual, there are multiple types of depression; however, two of the most common types are major and chronic depression. Major depression is the most severe of the kinds where you are feeling very down in the dumps, and your ability to live daily life as usual as you used to, particularly your mental health, is put to a stop. Chronic depression lasts the longest as it can go on for a year or more with the same experiences.

What Part Of Your Brain Is Affected By The Condition?

Three brain areas are affected by depression, your prefrontal cortex, your amygdala, and your hippocampus. Your prefrontal cortex is responsible for emotion regulation, decision-making, and memories. Your amygdala facilitates emotional responses. The hippocampus is responsible for cortisol production, which can cause many issues once there is too much of it.

What Does A Mental Breakdown Look Like?

As we are unique individuals, a mental breakdown can look different for different people. It can be a person crying their eyes out for hours; it can be a person drinking to death, drug addiction, or just sudden bursts of emotions such as anger and frustration. This means that your mind is shutting down because it can no longer handle the pressure and the stress that they are going through. It is best to ride it out, and it is a sign for you to take a step back and relax.

What Is A Simple Definition For The Condition?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a mental illness or mental disorder that negatively affects your mood swings, health, and daily life. It will cause feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in daily activities. This may lead to many emotional and physical symptoms and issues that can make things worse for you. So make sure that you can reach out and ask for help when experiencing symptoms of depression.

What Is A Fancy Word For SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is also known as winter depression because some researchers refer to it as a hibernation of sorts. During this time, patients diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder grow colder and darker as if going through a fall and a winter phase. Make sure that you can consult with a doctor to help manage your depressive disorder and make your winter turn into spring once more.

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Can It Change Your Personality?

Yes, symptoms of major depression can change your personality. A person who was once happy and cheerful can turn into someone quiet and sluggish. This is caused by hormonal changes and chemical imbalances in our brains. Once we become depressed, we become isolated and quiet. We might be more withdrawn, and we would lose interest in many activities used to make us happy. 

How Do You Survive The Mental Illness?

Ensure that you can consult with a doctor to start with a treatment plan that is most effective for you. This will then help avoid further complications, both mentally and physically. Of course, it is also good that you can surround yourself with supportive people who understand that you need help and that you need them during this time of darkness in your life. Also, try and go back into what made you happy or look for a new hobby that can make you feel that passion again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Good Questions To Ask About Depression?

What Are Some Sources Of Information About The Mental Illness?

What Is The Main Root Of Depression?

What Can The Mental Illness Lead Us To?

Why Is The Mental Condition A Major Concern?

Final Thoughts

I had gone a long way since my depression proper diagnosis. After my first blog about my experience, many readers offered their condolences and shared how they related to what I went through. The more blogs I posted, the more followers I got, to the extent that my manager suggested that I do a writing workshop for depressed or grieving people. I did it with my psychologist’s help, and it became a part of the company’s tradition to hold similar seminars every year.

Knowing that I could help other people made me heal faster. I could only hope that Dad’s proud of me.