What is the difference between feeling depressed and having depression?
Almost all of us feel ‘down’ or ‘depressed’ from time to time as we deal with hardships and roadblocks thrown at us from all spheres of life. However, feeling depressed and having depression are the most commonly interchanged concepts in daily conversation. So, how are they different?
“My car broke down on the way to work today and my boss was upset with me too, I am so depressed”. This is a classic example of a bad day, however it cannot be equated to being clinically depressed. You have every right to feel low. Give yourself time. You will heal.
“I have been unable to get out of bed everyday and the things I used to love don’t bring me happiness anymore”. This feeling, on the other hand, if persists for longer than two weeks, can be associated with depression.
What is depression?
If depression were to be described in two words, they would be feelings of ‘hopelessness’ & ‘worthlessness’. More symptoms can include a declining appetite, sleeping a lot more than usual or not at all, difficulty in maintaining personal hygiene and so on. Such feelings or routines are prolonged in nature and last for at least for a couple of weeks. Perhaps the most important- and alarming-sign is- suicidal thoughts or beliefs. These are simply some personal clues to reach out for help; depression or any other mental illness should not be self-diagnosed. Instead, the best course of action is always to consult a mental health professional.
One in every three people are likely to face depression once in their lives. Do these statistics surprise you? What is more surprising is that in spite of it being a common illness, the stigma remains. People with depression are associated with being weak, lazy, buzz killers or worst still, their condition is not accepted as an illness at all. The antidote of stigma is curiosity. More questions will lead to more answers and less assumptions.
How to make the best out of your work life:
If you are an individual with depression, the first note is to acknowledge it and prioritise it like you would in the case of any physiological illness like asthma. A person with asthma receives empathy if he is in a 100m race like situation. He is not termed as weak or incapable. He visits his allergist openly and takes his supplements if needed. Once an individual accepts one’s condition it is easier for people around him to accept it too. A workplace, especially, can be a tricky area for mental illness. The individual has to not only fight the stigma but also not let the lack of productivity be a hindrance for incentives.
Since depression can potentially hamper an individual’s work life balance, it should be dealt with affirmatively in every workplace. Remember when we spoke about a person not wanting to get out of bed all together? This is how it looks to person ‘A’ on a day but he can be up and out of bed cheerfully ready at his desk the next day. The illness, for all practical purposes, is of a fluctuating and unpredictable nature. The best thing to do for yourself and for someone you know who is facing depression is to grant breaks or mental health days during tough times. People around an individual diagnosed with depression have a fundamental obligation of being supportive and empathetic and helps to a great extent.
Here are some ways one can try to deal with depression at the workplace:
1. Walks in nature have proven to be highly beneficial. As per the colour theory, the colour green is associated with being peaceful and refreshing. If you are stressed out at your workplace, sighting some trees with fresh air can be a good idea. Not only that, Vitamin D that our body forms as we come in contact with sunlight keeps us physiologically well which in turn nourishes our mental wellbeing.
2. At times, certain work pressures act as triggers. Such triggers can leave a lasting impact if not dealt with efficiently. During such times one should consider taking a step back, identifying and dealing with those triggers, especially if a particular scenario is disrupting our mental peace. In such cases you are likely to find yourself to be slower with abiding by deadlines as compared to how motivated you usually are, even if you love what and where you work. It is even harder to cope up with making mistakes or failing at tasks. Forgiving yourself and trying again can seem equivalent to hiking a mountain on some days. Talking to co-workers or friends who empathize with your work demands can help you as well. Short breaks to watch funny, light videos, having a beverage, breathing exercises work as great nerve-calmers.
3. Being able to make accommodations or modifications to job tasks or demands can be the biggest support when you’re living with depression. This can be done by speaking to the manager or person in charge. Communicating with supervisors regarding any mental illness and how it is being a roadblock in your career path is an ideal way to go. As per law, they cannot fire you, reject you or ask you to leave on the grounds of having a mental illness. With some luck, your superior will be considerate towards your needs. Communication is essential in any formal environment and can be truly helpful in a high pressure environment.
4. Things like flexibility in schedules, deadlines, or even modifications in job duties can aid someone to continue to perform at their job while coping with depression. Enquire whether employer-provided health insurances cover mental health services. This way monetary restrictions will not stand in the way of paying for a professional while reaching out for help.
Effecting meaningful change
It is common for people with rare diseases to spread awareness. With the advent of the all-powerful social media, why can we not replicate the same for common illnesses? More importantly, it is important to recognize that having regular conversations around sensitive issues like mental health normalizes it and removes misconceptions. Spreading awareness not only reduces prejudices but also caters to community building and empathy. Feeling alone and not understood is a general experience this illness adds onto. A normal person takes up to 10 years to ask for help regarding his mental illness. Every step taken to encourage acknowledgement, narrow down judgment and promote therapy is moving in the direction of better wellbeing; at home, school or workplace.
YLCC would like to thank Meha Bhatt for her valuable insights in this article.
