Depressingly Common Article

No one should ever feel like they don’t belong in this world.

Depression is a disorder that can cause an individual to feel hopeless and like their life is worthless. This devil. This demon is beginning to control and take over the young people in the UK as it becomes more and more common. Especially amongst 15-24 year olds. In fact in 2010 the number of 15-24 year olds suffering from depression was 1/5 in the UK alone¹. This is one fifth too many!

Depression usually occurs in the people we least expect it. Along with depression comes a mask. A mask that can fool any detective no matter how good they are. Just because someone seems happy, smiles and laughs every day and appears to have the perfect life doesn’t mean they don’t have a very special hidden talent. This talent is acting. The ability to pretend that everything is okay when really it is far from it. Whilst everyone else is thinking which new clothes to buy or wondering what they are going to do at the weekend, a depression sufferer is wondering if it is worth living or thinking of a way out. Nearly 700 out of the 2000 15 to 24 year old in the UK polled by YouGov had considered committing or had attempted to commit suicide². No one should ever have to feel that the only way to get away from the pain and negativity is to end their own life.

Depression is unique. It is never the same for anyone. There are no specific causes, no specific symptoms and no specific cures. So how could it possibly detected if it is trapped inside the body and the mind with no way out? There are a few common symptoms to look out for, whether it’s a friend you’re worried about or you don’t understand why you haven’t been feeling yourself. These symptoms are; avoiding contact and communication with others, feeling helpless, eating either more or less than usual, sleeping either more or less than usual and feeling self-critical. These symptoms are feelings that no one should ever have to put up with and feel. 40% of the 2000 polled by YouGov had found it too difficult to leave the house due to feeling anxious and depressed². Can you imagine that? Not feeling comfortable enough to leave the house – it’s as bad as being locked in a prison with no way to escape. Feeling like you’re being watched 24/7. Being paranoid. Being depressed.

So why? Why does this controlling dictator have to come along and take over an innocent person’s life? There are many causes for depression, and unfortunately some of these causes are undetectable leaving the victims wondering why they have been left to feel like they don’t belong. Most commonly, however, depression occurs amongst young people due to experiences they have had involving their family or school life. This can include; family problems such as parents splitting up, the death of a close/loved one, bullying, abuse and long term illness³. The list is endless. Of course the cause is important; it needs to be avoided to ensure that it cannot cause the same damage that has already been done. But now the most important thing is the cure. The biggest hurdle that needs to be faced.

There is no exact cure for depression. Everyone is different. Some of the recommend methods may seem absurd to one person yet free another from the heavy weight AKA depression that they had to haul around. Talk, scream, shout! Speaking to someone whether it’s a friend or a doctor. Letting it all out and getting the negativity out of the system releases the possessive feelings and lifts a weight from the shoulder. This is easier said than done, of course, so finding other methods to fight away the negativity is key. Picking up a pen to write, to draw, to empty all the vicious thoughts onto a piece of paper. Then burn it, rip it up, destroy them completely. A starting point is one step closer to the end. The end of misery and helplessness.