Depression: not your ordinary emotion

Feelings and emotions is a part of being human. Nowadays, the expression

of sadness, loneliness or emptiness is depicted with being depressed but is
this the same with these [sensations | emotions]? Unlike the feelings of
sadness or happiness that usually passes after a while, depression has a
[deeper| greater] degree of sadness or grief and sometimes, it is not only
[shown | seen] by sadness it could also be by the act of aggressiveness,
anger, restlessness and sudden changes of behaviour. Depression is
actually a disorder wherein the person having it may feel it for a much
prolonged time and it will slowly interferes with their life and to the extent
that it will also affect the people surrounding them.
It could be felt and undergone by any person no matter what his/her age or
gender is or his/her status in life, it is a common [misconception| myth] that
it could not be felt by highly accomplished or rich people. It does not always
have to have a specific reason for the person undergoing it might not be in
control of what he or she is feeling. Sometimes it could just be felt suddenly,
it could slowly and unnoticeably changes the life of the person [undergoing |
feeling] it or it could be triggered by environmental (e.g. stressful life,
financial problems, family problems, death), social (loneliness),
psychological (e.g. childhood trauma, abuse) and biological factors (e.g.
family history) the person is [in |experiencing].
Though there are known ways of treating it, like psychotherapy and the use
of antidepressants, one must know how to handle his/herself when
[undergoing | facing] depression. Here are some points to consider when
coping with it:
1. Choose what you eat
Eating healthy food would help not only to make the body fit but also
to have a sound mind which makes it in good condition to [do | have]
the right decisions and to lighten up the mood.
2. Rest well
A good rest will help clear the negative thoughts.
3. Know your limits
In order to minimize the feeling of failure, one must know the
responsibilities he/she could undertake. Learn to say no and how to
set priorities.
4. Release your thoughts
Go out and be with other people like family or friends. An alternative
also, if talking with people is [a burden | difficult], is to confide it with
a journal or with pets (even if they wont talk back the sense of having
someone or something that would [listen | lean on] is more helpful
than being alone)
5. Think positively
Positive thinking could replace negative thoughts and have the
tendency to give you a happy and hopeful feeling.
In other cases when someone you know could be undergoing it, the most
important thing to do is to become his or her emotional support. Encourage
him or her to tell you his/her thoughts or problems and be his/her listening
wall. Also, seek appropriate medical help from a doctor and know the
proper diagnosis and treatment for that person. As time heals all wounds,
assure them that they could still get better in time and with the help of the
people who care for them.