Depression
by Joan-Marie Moss
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THE HUMAN FACTOR
Sondra Dodds at Family Service DuPage in Wheaton, IL says that
those who are depressed often feel isolated and alone, different
and unusual, misunderstood by family and friends, powerless and
defeated. Many also feel the need to hide their real feelings,
even from those they love. Those who are more willing to share
their experiences share many common experiences although each
case is dramatically different.
They share a common bond. They live in a no-man's land that's
sapping the community of its most valuable
resource...competent contributing citizens. They don't choose to
live there. And they can't will to get out of there without help.
An insidious disease, depression is multi-faceted. The onset
and the symptoms of depression are not always the same.
Frequently depression is an outward manifestation of undetected
physical illnesses such as cancer.
For some the disease can be traced to low self esteem; for
others to excessive drain on their physical health and energy or
chronic illnesses; for others to abnormally high levels of
stress-related life experiences; for others realization that
life is passing them by and their goals will never be reached.
In all instances the illness points to imbalances: physical,
mental and spiritual. A depressive illness is a "whole-body"
illness involving your body, mood, thoughts and behavior. It's
not just a passing bout with "the blues". You cannot "will" or
"wish" it away.
Rose had frightening bouts with burning sensation in all parts
of her body. It was as if her stomach, head, nerves were all
"aflame". Katherine began to withdraw from friends and
acquaintances.
One Elmhurst resident tells of his experiences, "I felt
helpless and unable to cope with every day stresses. I saw
myself as worthless as a part of the community I worked for.
Frequently I entertained thoughts that my family would be better
off if I just disappeared or died. I knew I was on a self
destruct kick...ignoring my health, setting myself up for
failure in my job and getting myself in no- win situations. The
harder I tried, the worse things got in my life. I saw myself
reacting to even the simplest setbacks with uncontrollable rage."
Anna, who has been treated both in and out of the hospital for
depression said, "Over the years, I've seen a big change in the
people who are suffering depression. They're getting much
younger now and they are filled with anger."
Some deal with the constant sensation that they are "not
connected with the rest of the world" and "unimportant". For yet
others, the illness may just hover at the point where there's a
gnawing stomach ache and the constant knowledge that "something
just isn't right". Nearly all report that their level of
productivity fell dramatically. Many find that they just "can't
attend to the task at hand". In the worst case scenario, suicide
seems to offer the only way out.
The bad news is depression renders a person unable to cope
adequately with life events and, frequently, it goes undiagnosed
for months -- even years -- because the victim generally blames
him or herself for uncontrollable problems and their inability
to function in a reasonable manner. It's a vicious downward
spiral that sucks its victim into a hopeless pit of despair.
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joanmari@cyberrealm.net
JOAN-MARIE MOSS is a non-fiction author published in both
national and regional markets. She specializes in business
communications and public relations for businesses and
professionals. She serves as consultant and
communications/public relations specialist offering a full range
of services from writing to desktop publishing and public
speaking. Joan-Marie teaches Business Writing, Copyediting and
Public Relations at Oakton Community college and has been guest
speaker on WWCN and WDCB Radio. She currently writes for the
Daily Herald and Press Publications, and is working on her
second book.
Visit her web site
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