Depression is so much more than a feeling, a mood or a chemical reaction. It breaks down who you are as life slowly loses meaning—and depression should never be considered lightly.
Depression is defined as an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts that affect how a person feels about himself or herself, according to MedicineNet.com
Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. In 2013, an estimated 15.7 million adults aged 18 or older had at least one major depressive episode in the past year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
I think depression occurs because of external factors, like the death of a relative, academic/work related pressures, failed relationships or a reaction to an illness.
Research completed on mice have shown the dysfunction of (an organelle in charge of supplying energy for cellular activity) can result in spontaneous episodes of depression similar to depressive behavior in humans, according to a study by the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan.
The published study “Regional variation in mitochondrial DNA copy number in mouse brain,” was led by Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders Senior Team Leader Dr. Tadafumi Kato.
The results discovered that depression was associated with the periventricular thalamus, a region of the brain previously thought to have no relation with depression.
If researchers can further show that depression is caused by irregularities the, they could treat depression as a brain disease rather than a psychiatric disease, according to the study.
“During the episodes, which began without reason and recurrently, the mice would run on their running wheels less extensively, showing they had a lack of pleasure-seeking behavior, a core feature of depression,” stated Dr. Takaoki Kasahara, an expert in molecular biology who works at RIKEN in an interview.
I think it’s good that researchers are studying depression and I hope that they can find a cure it.
I’ve dealt with depressive episodes and felt like
I wasn’t good enough or that if I stopped existing there would be no difference.
It is hard to admit that I have had suicidal thoughts, especially as a man, because society’s version of an ideal “man” is to be strong, confident and emotionless. Once you break the status quo by sharing your feelings, or even crying, you are deemed less of a man. However, I don’t believe men are weak by doing so; we are simply human.
Men are less likely to talk about depression as well as receive proper diagnoses or treatment because they are overlooked and untreated. Men also commit suicide four times more likely than women, according to a study completed by menshealthnetwork.org.
I believe that men shouldn’t care about stereotypes. Life is worth more than what society thinks of you.
This is a call to action for
those that have stopped enjoying the little moments in life. Life doesn’t have to be depressive.
I know I can make it through my darkest days. I’m still here, because I believe suicide is not the only solution.
If you ever feel like you are dealing with depression or anxiety, don’t hesitate to call the CSUSB Student Health Center at (909) 537-5040 or make a walk-in appointment.
The Health Center has individual therapy, groups sessions, workshops and events so that you don’t have to deal with depression alone.
We should smile at the bad moments, because the moment you let go of the pain of depression, you start living again.