Depression can feel comfortable because its constant sadness creates a predictable, stable environment. It’s easier to stay in that familiar place than face the uncertainties of change. Distorted self-worth makes some believe they deserve the comfort of their suffering. Breaking free requires self-awareness, resilience, and seeking support from professionals and loved ones.
- What Is Depression?
- Causes Of Depression?
- Why Do I Feel Comfortable Being Depressed?
- Is It Normal to Feel Comfortable With Depression?
- Treatment For Depression
- FAQ’s
- Why is depression a big deal?
- What is one good thing about depression?
- Who gets more depressed?
- Why do people not treat depression?
- What do most people think about depression?
What Is Depression?
Depression, also called depressive disorder, is a common mental issue where people feel very sad or lose interest in things they usually enjoy for a long time.
It’s different from everyday mood changes and how you feel about regular life. Depression can affect everything, like relationships with family, and friends, and how you do in school or at work.
Anyone can go through depression, especially if they’ve been through tough things like abuse or big losses. Women tend to get depression more than men.
Around 3.8% of people, including 5% of adults (4% men and 6% women), and 5.7% of adults over 60 years old, experience depression. That’s about 280 million people worldwide. Depression is 50% more common in women than in men. More than 10% of pregnant women and new moms go through depression. Sadly, over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, making it the fourth leading cause of death for 15–29-year-olds.
Even though there are treatments for mental issues, over 75% of people in poorer countries don’t get help. This is because there isn’t enough investment in mental health care, not enough trained health workers, and people often feel ashamed to talk about mental problems.
Causes Of Depression?
When someone is in a depressive episode, they feel really sad, irritable, or empty, and they might not enjoy things they used to like.
Depressive episodes are not the same as normal mood changes. They stick around most of the day, almost every day, for at least two weeks. Other things can happen too, like having a hard time concentrating, feeling super guilty or not valuing themselves, and hopelessly thinking about the future. Some people might even have thoughts about dying or suicide. Sleep and eating habits can change, and they might feel very tired or have low energy.
Depression can make life tough in all areas, like at home, work, school, and in the community.
A depressive episode can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how many symptoms someone has and how much it affects their life.
There are different types of depressive episodes
Single Episode Depressive Disorder This means it’s the person’s first and only episode.
Recurrent Depressive Disorder This means the person has a history of at least two depressive episodes.
Bipolar Disorder This means that depressive episodes switch with periods of high energy and other symptoms. These symptoms include feeling very happy or irritable, doing a lot of things quickly, talking a lot, thinking fast, feeling good about themselves, not needing much sleep, easily getting distracted, and doing impulsive and risky things.
Why Do I Feel Comfortable Being Depressed?
If you’ve been dealing with depression for a while, it might start to feel like it’s just a normal part of who you are. You might think being depressed explains how you see the world, and getting better would mean becoming a whole new person.
These thoughts are okay, and there’s some truth to them. Depression does affect how you experience things, and getting better involves looking inside yourself and growing personally.
But it’s important to know that even though the journey isn’t easy, it’s an amazing one that opens the door to a happier and fuller life. Changing yourself doesn’t mean losing who you are; it means discovering your true self, someone who can find joy in the world and reach their full potential.
Sometimes, it might seem easier to stick with how things are, especially if previous treatments haven’t helped much. You might think you’re okay and can handle it, but it’s not worth the effort.
However many different treatments have been proven to work. Mental health recovery centers and professionals can guide you on what might work best for you and create a plan just for you.
From medication to talking therapies to special treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy and mindfulness, there’s support available. You deserve to feel better.
Is It Normal to Feel Comfortable With Depression?
Even though it might sound strange, some people find a strange kind of comfort in depression. It’s like our minds can get used to even tough situations. But getting used to it doesn’t mean it’s okay. It’s important to know that even if feeling a bit in control makes it seem alright, it doesn’t replace the need to talk to professionals and find better ways to cope. Remember, there’s help available, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
It’s really important to understand that feeling a bit comfortable with depression is not a good or lasting way to live. Even though it might give a short break from changes and uncertainties, it can create a bad cycle where you don’t feel like asking for help or trying to get better. Even if depression seems silent, it’s crucial to know the difference between feeling okay with it and truly being okay. To break free from this cycle, it’s important to talk to professionals like therapists or counselors. They can help you find better ways to handle depression and overcome it. Remember, taking care of your mental health is a journey, and it’s never too late to start.
Treatment For Depression
If you’re feeling depressed, there are good treatments available. These treatments include talking to someone and taking certain medicines. It’s important to get help if you have depression symptoms.
Talking to someone is usually the first way to treat depression. Sometimes, people also take medicines along with talking to someone, but this is mostly for more severe depression, not for mild cases.
Talking to someone can help you learn new ways to think, cope, or connect with others. You can talk to professionals or trained lay therapists in person or online. There are also self-help manuals, websites, and apps that can guide you through these treatments. Remember, there are ways to get better, and seeking help is a good step.
There are helpful ways to treat depression, like talking therapies and medicines. Talking therapies include things like:
- Doing activities that boost your mood.
- Learning to change how you think and behave.
- Talking about your relationships and feelings.
- Figuring out solutions to problems.
Medicines for depression are called SSRIs, and one example is fluoxetine. These treatments can make a big difference in making you feel better. If you’re struggling, it’s a good idea to talk to a professional about what might work best for you.
Healthcare providers need to consider the potential negative effects of antidepressant medications, their ability to provide specific treatments, and what the individual prefers. It’s important to note that antidepressants should not be the primary treatment for depression in children. In adolescents, if they are considered, caution is advised.
For bipolar disorder, different medications and treatments are used compared to depression. Healthcare providers must tailor their approach based on individual needs and circumstances.
FAQ’s
Q1. Why is depression a big deal?
A1. Defining depression is different from feeling down or depressed due to our everyday lives. It affects all aspects of our daily lives, including our relationships with family, friends, and the community. It can lead to or result in problems at school and work.
Q2. What is one good thing about depression?
A2. In some cases, depression can turn out to be positive. It can motivate people to take a closer look at their lives and eliminate aspects that aren’t contributing to their growth.
Q3. Who gets more depressed?
A3. The prevalence of depression among women is twice that of men, and depression ranks first among causes of disease burden among women.
Q4. Why do people not treat depression?
A4. Some believe they can handle it on their own. Distrust: Some find sharing personal details with a counselor difficult and worry that it will not be kept confidential. Hopelessness: At times, one feels as though nothing will ever improve.
Q5. What do most people think about depression?
A5. There is a misconception among many people that being depressed is a choice or that a positive attitude is necessary to overcome it. It is common for friends and family members to get frustrated or don’t understand why someone who is depressed cannot “snap out of it.” They may even say that there is nothing to be depressed about. Depression is a serious mental health condition.
