Depression has been called “the worst disease.” This is both because it impacts so many people, and also because there is just nothing particularly good about being depressed. About 15% of all people, of any age, will become depressed at some point during their lifetime. Depression impacts men and women, rich and poor, young and old.
There are several different factors involved in this illness that we call major depression. There are biochemical factors, and hormonal factors, and genetic factors. Our life experiences, especially losses in life, also can increase the odds of our becoming depressed.
There are emotional, psychological, and spiritual factors to depression. There is a loss of the ability to experience pleasure, or to feel loved. There is a sense of hopelessness or helplessness. There is often a strong sense of worthlessness, or the sense that no one would care whether they live or die. And there is often a sense of a great distance between themselves and other people, and between themselves and God. There is loneliness.
Here are some great resources from “The Practice” of Dr. Jan Mensink MD, and from the counseling office of Dr. Douglas Cowan, MFT, to help you or someone that you love to overcome depression:
Dr. Jan Mensink, MD : lecture on Depression as a YouTube video