Why we mustn’t ignore Depression

 

By Jaisurya Das

 

I was pained to hear about Pratyusha the 24-year-old television actress who is reported to have taken her own life.

 

A life that had fame, admiration, pride, and thousands of fans who religiously believed in all that she advocated in her screen avatar.

 

Anandi, the epitome of resilience, affection and selfless devotion probably couldn’t come to terms with her own life. Tragic and truly agonising. All of 24 years and taken away by mental instability that went unrecognised or was it just a pure error in judgment that moment when time stood still?

 

Media, entertainment, advertising, glamour and fashion are industries that have become very volatile for its constituents rendering many victims of depression, anxiety, alcoholism and drug abuse. And for the unfortunate, some escape only in death.

 

I have spent time discussing these stress-related issues with many from each industry I have friends in –be it media, advertising, films, fashion etc in my hope that I would be able to reach out and help in whatever way I can.

 

I realised that the pressures of work and multi-tasking aren’t different from what we faced in the corporate world etc. Yet, there is a stark differentiator!

 

Personal lives are highly convoluted today and often due to self-created stress. Today, the younger generation (yes, the bulk of my readers) are far too involved in every single nuance of their personal life.

 

For instance, today’s world includes a camera following you around always. It’s almost like they walk through the day with a mirror facing them. They have to look good, have to appeal, must have a differentiator and above all must achieve everything that they believe is important.

 

And this could be as prosaic as getting the right dress or the right companion for that evening party… it may seem silly to us, but for this generation, this is about life and death. It’s about trailing behind. It’s about being known to be perfect. It’s about being a winner always… 24/7, 365 days a year!

 

They work like the proverbial horse often till the midnight hour. There is no rest post that either as their personal life starts only then. Lack of sleep, dark circles (more make up!) form part of their daily routine. There is little time to cater to anything as basic as food, water or even intelligent conversation.

 

Reading of course is a forgotten art. Who needs to, You have everything on your smartphone after all! However, despite all this, a huge void forms, that gets larger by the day. They know not what creates this void since they are too immersed in their pursuit of artificial happiness. The happiness that fluff gives. The happiness that comes laced with the finest chocolates and roses like there’s no tomorrow. Living is today about demonstration and nothing else.

 

Unfortunately, this void grows much like a hole when the earth is removed. And soon enough they trip and fall into this huge black hole… Symptoms are always there, yet ignored.

• Insomnia
• Loss of Appetite
• Lying in bed longer than usual.
• Difficulty in performing routine tasks
• Indifference to vanity
• Loss of libido
• Lack of confidence, fear of facing people
• Restlessness, anxiety

 

Well, if you do exhibit one or more of these symptoms you may be unwell and require treatment. Yes, ladies and gentleman, depression is just another illness much like a viral infection. Needs medical intervention which can get you back on your feet… 100% cured.

 

No taboo, exceedingly common and can be treated effectively but shouldn’t be ignored. Letting it be is extremely dangerous. It’s just a chemical imbalance in the brain that requires the apt medication to set it right.

 

No, there is no research in all these decades that can pinpoint what causes depression but yes, we do know what it can do, if unattended.

 

It’s time the generation today introspects to arrive at what they actually want.. No, none of us can be perfect in every sense. No, it doesn’t matter if you didn’t look good in that photograph. No, it doesn’t matter if your friend fought with his/ her companion. No, it doesn’t matter if your colleague didn’t compliment you today. No, it doesn’t matter if your boss scolded you in front of two others.

 

What matters finally is your happiness and inner peace. Look within. Do not expect anything from the world around you, What comes is a bonus!

 

And for god’s sake don’t drown in your woes. Every little thing in your life needn’t be dramatised.

 

It’s fine to feel low, to have a headache etc. Don’t make it sound like the end of the world. Remember the universe returns all that you transmit to it. So the more time you spend on self-pity and expression of agony, the more you will get back.

 

Sit down and list all the things are the working well in your life. Count your blessings!

 

There’s so much good in your life. Why are we forgetting all of this? What makes us ignore the good?

 

The answer is simple; It’s us!

 

We love sympathy and yet we forget that beyond a point, No one wants to be around someone who’s constantly complaining on how bad his/ her life is. Safer to stay away since this can be contagious.

 

Go on like this and soon enough you may find yourself in a fortress with huge brick walls around you. Brick by brick we lay it thick. No one can impregnate this!

 

Unfortunately you forget that you can’t get out either. Another brick in the wall!!!

 

Yes, for someone who identifies with what I have said, this may seem like ramble and easier said than done. No, I say this with vehemence today!! I have seen the black hole and it took me long to jump out simply because I couldn’t reason with it. But I did, and today I try hard, very hard to be able to share some wisdom on this illness called depression.

 

Give yourself room, breathe, don’t take on too much. Believe me, life is about living and not competing day after day.

 

Be well, be happy, You won’t regret it.

 

Jaisurya Das, the maverick media evangelist eats, sleeps and romances brands!His cerebral consulting interventions are aimed at making brands powerful and sustainable.

He is also Contributing Editor of MxM India.