If you're depressed, sometimes it feels like you're the only one going through it. Reading books about other peoples' experiences with depression is a fantastic way to know you're not alone, and get some good tips on dealing with depression. Back From the Brink is a well written book devoted to real-life recovery stories, as well as rigorously analysing the bulk of treatment … [Read more...]
How Writing Beats Depression
A little musing today. I was reflecting that depression often causes problems of expression. Pent up feelings and thoughts just don't know how to get out into the world. I remember working with a homeless man with a drug dependence issue. In spite of bagging a recent job, he went on a drug binge. He fell into a deep depression and just couldn't seem to get out of it. He was … [Read more...]
How Travel Beats Depression
Two years ago my wife and I made a decision to save a substantial amount and in lieu of a conventional mortgage down payment, opted for an action packed two year odyssey overseas. For me this was a bold decision. Prior to the epic journey my travels were safely contained within annual leave. I used go overseas with my mind half in the new place and half worrying about things … [Read more...]
Feeling detached
Feeling detached is one of the most unique and painful parts of experiencing depression. The exact definition is slippery because it's a deeply interior personal sense. It’s the painful feeling of being completely detached from people and things. Depressed people occupy a place, but are not always a part of things. They talk to people, but they don’t feel part of other … [Read more...]
The Social Context of Depression
When it comes to diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD) there is enormous influence from the social environment. This is my second assessment I did on a course from Coursera* which is about the social context of mental health. Depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), will be the secondary cause of global health burden by 2020. Depression is an … [Read more...]