When I was a little girl, the term “depression” was used when someone was having a bad day, felt sad over something that had happened, and was having a hard time finding joy in life. In a lot of cases, getting some good sleep and spending time with friends and family was enough to pull the person out of it. Sometimes this depression was a natural result of sin, the depression coming about because of guilt over transgression, and after visiting with the bishop and going through a process of repentance, the person could be restored to a state of happiness again. Most often, though, this phrase just meant “feeling a little blue,” and it wasn’t anything a bar of chocolate couldn’t fix.
Today, though, the term “depression” has an entirely different meaning. The person who is suffering from depression may have a chemical imbalance in their brains, perhaps a genetic leaning as well, and no amount of chocolate can heal the hurt that is inside them. They are often tired, have sore muscles, and headaches in addition to the deep sadness they feel. They can’t “snap out of it” or “sleep it off,” as some well-meaning friends might advise them to do. Persons afflicted with this type of depression generally do best with some help from their physician, who can prescribe something to help them, and in some cases steer them away from foods or other substances that might be making their symptoms worse.
Despite the fact that these two conditions are very different, they are lumped together fairly frequently. When someone says, “I feel depressed,” they might be heard to mean, “I have depression.” But when a person with depression admits to having the condition, far too often, their hearers believe they can just snap out of it with a funny movie or a day out. I wish that the persons who named the condition of depression had chosen a different name for it entirely, so that those who need the funny movie get what they need, while those who need some long-term assistance and maybe a doctor’s visit can get what they need, as well. Perhaps we can be more sensitive to what our friends tell us, so we don’t rush to conclusions before we understand what they are saying.
In either case, I do know that our Heavenly Father can help us through our difficult moments. Whether our feelings of depression are caused by sin, loneliness, dissatisfaction with our jobs, or unhappiness in relationships, He gives us an anchor to see us through the rough times. And if we are suffering from the condition of clinical depression, He can provide a foundation for us and guide us to the treatments that we need. In all things, we must remember that the Atonement was made for our physical and emotional sufferings, too, and not just our sins. He can help us carry all our burdens.
Related Blogs:
Dear Heather . . . I Have Been Unhealthy
Growing from Sadness, Sorrow, and Depression