WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

These days, we hear a lot about how suicide is being committed among the youth. What causes depression? Why will someone end his/her life when it hasn’t even started? A life that has not reached its peak or climax would end abruptly.

Part of the reason for suicide has been attributed to “depression.”

What is depression?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “a pressing down: lowering; a state of feeling sad: dejection; a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.”

So, what causes depression? Since depression is marked by the lowness of spirits.

What then makes our spirits low?

• For most people, it is the loss of a loved one. Either a parent, spouse, partner or friend. Most have been around in times of difficulty for the patient or have helped the person all through the cause of their life. The feeling of being left alone to fend without a strong support system is hard to think about and thus, depression.
• For some others, it is the absence of desired wants or needs. The needs of man are insatiable. Man will always try to get what he wants. A little taste of that thing keeps fuelling the drive. But when one keeps trying and expending efforts without result, depression occurs. Strongly responsible for this factor is money.
• Failure is also another factor. Failing academically or having unsuccessful relationships can lead to depression quickly. These two conditions have both contributed to the high rate of suicide among today’s youth. The story was told of a final-year student at the University of Ilorin who committed suicide after failing to graduate for two years. Many females also end up taking their lives after being jilted by their lover
• Loss of one’s source of income is another factor

Many people have also ascribed spiritual causes to it. A young girl of 12 took her own life with a sponge in the bathroom. To date, no one knows what the cause is. This was attributed to spiritual forces. But no one knows what could have been said to the girl. At times, suicide and depression are caused by ill or negative words spoken to a person. Our emotional capability and tolerance levels differ. What is sent to a person and is taken lightly, another person will take it to another level of seriousness.

Also Read: WHEN THE FRUSTRATION COMES…

A history of violence, such as being robbed or raped, kidnapped, or having a broken home, also contributes its quota to depression.

My advice

1. Don’t keep your problems to yourself; talk to someone.
2. Watch what you say to people. Mind the way you speak.
3. Don’t take everything you hear seriously.
4. Let’s be responsible for those around us. Encourage someone through their difficulty.
5. Get professional help.

Remember, life is not your own.

A Drop of Honey for Your Day…

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