Mourning and Despondency: Understanding the Distinction and Seeking Aid for a Brighter, Optimistic Tomorrow
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Mary Orozco found herself at St. Patrick's Cathedral, seeking solace after learning about the death of her ex-boyfriend. The news hit her hard, and she was on the 42nd Street subway station platform in Manhattan when she received the devastating news.
Grief is a natural response to loss, and Mary experienced the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance. However, her grief was different from her untreated depression. Unlike her grief, her depression affected her self-worth, causing a constant cycle of negative thought reinforcement that worsened over time.
Grief and clinical depression share some similarities, but they are distinct entities. Grief is a process of adapting to loss, allowing outward expression of sadness, and eventual acceptance. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is a disorder marked by pervasive, sustained symptoms that impair functioning and require clinical intervention.
Clinical depression, or Major Depressive Disorder, involves a persistent depressed mood lasting for at least two weeks, along with symptoms like loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulties concentrating, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. These symptoms cause significant disruption in daily activities such as work, relationships, and self-care.
If left untreated, situational depression, triggered by stressful events, can progress to clinical depression. Shame, stigma, or the belief that one should overcome depression independently can prevent people from seeking help. However, it's crucial to remember that depression is a treatable disease with a variety of remedies available.
Mary, who had been battling depression for many years, found treatment helpful in processing her grief. She was taking antidepressants and undergoing therapy, which provided her with the tools to cope with her overwhelming and constant grief.
In recent years, advancements in mental health treatment have led to the development of new therapies such as TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy. TMS is an outpatient treatment using magnetic energy to stimulate brain receptors and is FDA-approved for treating depression. It has been found to be effective in twice as many patients as antidepressants, with far fewer side effects.
If symptoms of depression persist for more than two weeks, it's recommended to contact a healthcare provider. Healthcare providers can refer patients to psychologists for counseling sessions or to psychiatrists for medication prescriptions.
There are also resources available for support, such as contacting a support service online. It's essential to remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling, don't hesitate to seek help. Depression is a treatable disease, and with the right support and treatment, it's possible to find hope and healing.
[1] American Psychological Association. (2021). Grief and Mourning. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/grief/ [2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Depression. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356465 [3] National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Major Depression. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/major-depression/index.shtml [4] National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021). Grief and Loss. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Grief-and-Loss
- Mary's treatment-resistant depression, distinct from her grief, necessitated the scientific advancements in health-and-wellness, particularly in mental-health, leading her to TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy.
- Despite the stigma associated with mental health issues, it's crucial for people like Mary, who struggle with treatment-resistant depression, to seek help from healthcare providers and make use of available resources, including online support services, to ensure they receive the treatment they need for their mental health and wellness.
