Depression

Possible Issues

- You or your partner suffer periods of depression

- You often feel 'down', lack energy and have little enthusiasm for life

- You find it hard to get up in the morning and don't feel like going out of your home

The Cause

Unfortunately, depression is a growing problem in our world. There are numerous possible causes but from an emotional point of view it happens when we turn away from life.

We may have experienced a heartbreak so deep that we lose faith in our ability to recover - we lose hope for the future and tend to withdraw or go into sacrifice with the people around us. If we are depressed we have not let go of a loss or disappointment from earlier in our life. Depression and its symptoms create a viscious circle because they further isolate us and break our vital emotional connections with people.

It is important to see that depression bought on by life's circumstances is at the deepest level a choice. We are deciding not to receive the love of the people around us or from a spiritual source (if that is part of our belief system). This may be a way of getting back at somebody who we believe has hurt us or let us down. This normally means that we have buried a very painful issue with somebody and have been unwilling to deal with it. Although we may not always be conscious of it, feelings of guilt for having let somebody down, will be at the heart of all this pain . To protect ourselves from the pain and guilt of our original heartbreak(s) we disconnect from people and life, and this is what causes depression.

The Way Through

The problem with depression is that it feels like being in a deep pit with vertical slippery walls - there seems to be no escape and our lack of energy makes this worse. We feel as if there is no hope. If you or somebody close to you is depressed it is important to recognise that something must be done to break the trap of hopelessness.

As depression is a result of breaking our connection with people, try to reconnect as best you can. Try to pour as much love as you can onto the people closest to you. This giving will immediately halt the cycle of depression and you will be able to receive love in return. Describing feelings to a partner or a good friend and seeking their help will begin your recovery. If necessary seek medical help to break the cycle of despair.

Begin to think about the incidents in your life that have hurt you and that you are struggling to come to terms with. Identify the incidents and the people who were involved. Working at understanding these and forgiving the people involved, including yourself will accelerate the healing process. Fresh air, exercise as well as social and creative pursuits will all help you to reconnect.

It is entirely possible to recover from depression and find joy again in your life. Do seek help with this issue.

If you need help with depression, or just want to talk to somebody, then the Samaritans are available 24-hours a day. Details of phone numbers can be found on www.samaritans.co.uk

Samaritans Phone (local call rates) in the UK tel: 08457 90 90 90

In the Republic of Ireland tel: 1850 60 90 90

For the rest of the world go to www.befrienders.org

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