For those who don’t know the full extent of what depression is… it is not an emotion that manifests only when circumstance presents an unfortunate causation, to then fleet away when the cause and circumstances change. It is the occurrence of unbalanced chemical activity in the brain which may spark sudden and unexpected severe mood changes that do not warrant cause or circumstantial stimuli. However, cause and circumstance can worsen the effect of depression. So the next time you see a friend or loved one hurting in a depressive state, don’t ask them “what’s wrong?” or “what happened?”.
Instead, probe to find out what you can do to make them feel better. Ask them if they would like to build a hidden fortress out of blankets, ask them if they’d like to help you demolish a bucket of ice cream while you tell them fun stories or memories. Be a friend… not just another face in the crowd who doesn’t try to understand.
You are right Nadine. I lost two brothers to suicided. One in 1987 and one in 1988. 19 years old. Taught me to quit being the teacher and become the listening. The world is hard enough on the people we care for. Worthwhile words shared.
I’m so sorry to hear about your brothers suicide. Helping someone with depression can challenging. I think one of the best way is to be compassionate listener and be there for them, and not to minimize or ridicule their pain/feeling. I think they should be more education about mental illness for people and how to deal with it, it should be taught in schools; mental illness is no joke.
I can totally relate even I don’t really have a name for the symptoms but I’ve been there and it’s useless to speak sense or preach to the depressed person, it’s not easy at all so probably a hug, fun story as you said…a genuine care will always pay off I believe, less judging will help as well
Thank you for sharing 🙂
I think we all feel depressed and blue from time to time, so we all know how hard the situation is. So imagine what it feels like to suffer from chronic depression. Few use years ago, I used to work in a pharmacy I can tell you the number of depressed people in this country is alerting. Most of them used to talk to me, (me who is a total stranger to them), about their life and feelings. This shows that they lack a person in their life that actually listen for them; on the opposite I think their life is full of people who ridicule/judge/preach them instead of trying to understand them. Depression and mental illness is no joke, just look at the increasing rate of suicide in our country.
I can totally relate, I tried suicide once so I know exactly the feeling and I wrote about it as well
I read lot of things about mental illnesses and I like to know the people struggle, I mean you don’t have a choice when you’re mentally ill! How the hell some people ridicule this? I follow many mental illnesses blogs, sometimes I discover names of issues I experience, I read horrible experiences and I wonder how they manage to live! Panic attacks, suicide thoughts, and many other things…Of course in this case people must seek professional help because even their beloved ones won’t be supportive most of the times and many times the people that suffer don’t actually speak about it, like my case, I never said a word.
Ne7na b eyem el 7arb ma sar 7alet inti7ar metl hal eyyem, lel asaf
I’m so sorry to hear about this, but I’m glad it didn’t work out. I guess majority of people don’t know the feeling what it’s like to have their brain betray them or play trick on them. I think for depressed people here is no such thing as just getting over it, or sheering up, or counting their blessings. It’s because their brain will take all of those things and tell them about how they don’t matter and nobody love them.
It is important for the troubled souls to have a supportive system whether a relative, a friend, or psychiatrist. The subject of mental illness is very broad and there are countless versatile mental diseases. I’m glad you are researching and educating yourself about them. Yeah in society like ours, it is still “taboo” to discuss these issues or people simply don’t understand them; that’s why it’s easier for some to talk to a stranger (who will not judge them). That’s why I which that there were more charities that offer free counseling across Lebanon (as you are aware of bad economy in our country many cannot afford to go counseling). The problem with our country that it is killing the youngsters painfully and slowly, killing every tiny hope left in them; no wonder the suicide rate is increasing.
I believe you are genuine and beautiful soul, and I believe you can use your own experience, writing and your platform to reach others and help them out and I’m confident that you will make a difference, big or small.
Thank you ❤ those my opinions and thoughts after living with depressed person for years; and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to understand them
Voyager of freedom 
So true! While in depression, mostly what we need is someone to hold us, to get us out and to talk and listen.
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Exactly, they will need someone who is present, compassionate, and good listener. Someone who can hold their hands, and listen without judgement.
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You are right Nadine. I lost two brothers to suicided. One in 1987 and one in 1988. 19 years old. Taught me to quit being the teacher and become the listening. The world is hard enough on the people we care for. Worthwhile words shared.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear about your brothers suicide. Helping someone with depression can challenging. I think one of the best way is to be compassionate listener and be there for them, and not to minimize or ridicule their pain/feeling. I think they should be more education about mental illness for people and how to deal with it, it should be taught in schools; mental illness is no joke.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Nadine. Everyone is different.. Can take more, can take less. We need to slow down. Lead with concern, kindness and listen.
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I can totally relate even I don’t really have a name for the symptoms but I’ve been there and it’s useless to speak sense or preach to the depressed person, it’s not easy at all so probably a hug, fun story as you said…a genuine care will always pay off I believe, less judging will help as well
Thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we all feel depressed and blue from time to time, so we all know how hard the situation is. So imagine what it feels like to suffer from chronic depression. Few use years ago, I used to work in a pharmacy I can tell you the number of depressed people in this country is alerting. Most of them used to talk to me, (me who is a total stranger to them), about their life and feelings. This shows that they lack a person in their life that actually listen for them; on the opposite I think their life is full of people who ridicule/judge/preach them instead of trying to understand them. Depression and mental illness is no joke, just look at the increasing rate of suicide in our country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can totally relate, I tried suicide once so I know exactly the feeling and I wrote about it as well
I read lot of things about mental illnesses and I like to know the people struggle, I mean you don’t have a choice when you’re mentally ill! How the hell some people ridicule this? I follow many mental illnesses blogs, sometimes I discover names of issues I experience, I read horrible experiences and I wonder how they manage to live! Panic attacks, suicide thoughts, and many other things…Of course in this case people must seek professional help because even their beloved ones won’t be supportive most of the times and many times the people that suffer don’t actually speak about it, like my case, I never said a word.
Ne7na b eyem el 7arb ma sar 7alet inti7ar metl hal eyyem, lel asaf
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear about this, but I’m glad it didn’t work out. I guess majority of people don’t know the feeling what it’s like to have their brain betray them or play trick on them. I think for depressed people here is no such thing as just getting over it, or sheering up, or counting their blessings. It’s because their brain will take all of those things and tell them about how they don’t matter and nobody love them.
It is important for the troubled souls to have a supportive system whether a relative, a friend, or psychiatrist. The subject of mental illness is very broad and there are countless versatile mental diseases. I’m glad you are researching and educating yourself about them. Yeah in society like ours, it is still “taboo” to discuss these issues or people simply don’t understand them; that’s why it’s easier for some to talk to a stranger (who will not judge them). That’s why I which that there were more charities that offer free counseling across Lebanon (as you are aware of bad economy in our country many cannot afford to go counseling). The problem with our country that it is killing the youngsters painfully and slowly, killing every tiny hope left in them; no wonder the suicide rate is increasing.
I believe you are genuine and beautiful soul, and I believe you can use your own experience, writing and your platform to reach others and help them out and I’m confident that you will make a difference, big or small.
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Sending Love and Strength!! This is so relatable
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Thank you ❤ those my opinions and thoughts after living with depressed person for years; and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to understand them
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