COLUMN: Depression: A shadow in our life
Tom stumbled into work 15 minutes late. His hair was messy and parted to the side. His work uniform was wrinkled and in need of washing. Tom had worked at the local bookstore for the past three years as he finished his degree in English. The income wasn’t much, but it was enough to support his wife and two kids.
Near the end of his shift, Tom was methodically stacking books. Rob, a co-worker, approached Tom and started talking.
“Yo, Tom,” Rob said. “You read the new release of the week? Man, it’s good.”
Tom just kept stacking books as if Rob hadn’t said anything. After several awkward seconds, Tom said his shift was over and hurried home without saying another word.
Tom made it home and walked through the door to be greeted by his wife Ashley and their infant child Rebecca. As Tom walked through the door, Ashley handed off Rebecca and left while yelling back, “I’ll be home in an hour.” Tom took Rebecca in his hands and waved goodbye to his wife.
Ashley rushed through the door an hour later and called out to Tom.
“Tom, where are you? I’m home,” she said.
Tom didn’t answer Ashley’s call. Ashley ran up the stairs to find their daughter Rebecca lying in her crib alone and crying. Ashley’s heart began racing as she called out to Tom again. She frantically ran through their house until she found Tom lying on their bedroom floor, unconscious with a bottle of pills in his hand. Luckily, Ashley arrived home in time to save her husband by getting him immediate medical help. Others suffering from depression are not always as lucky.
Depression is a constant shadow in peoples’ lives and can grow and dissipate with the transition of the sun. At times the sun casts a larger shadow, and at other times, the sun hangs overhead and the shadow shrinks. With a willingness to work hard, Tom’s shadow became like a shadow at noon – virtually nonexistent.
Preventing this shadow from growing is one of the most effective tools when treating depression. There are four areas that can help in recognizing and aid in preventing depression: biology, psychology, socialness and spirituality. Increasing awareness and sensitivity in each of these areas can help shrink the depression shadow.
Depression can be biological in nature and influence your sleep cycles, eating habits, sexual activity and your energy toward activities you generally enjoy. Feelings of helplessness, guilt, or loss of concentration at school, work or while at home can also be attributed to depression. A sudden lack of interest or participation in social events or talking with friends can also be attributed to depression. These symptoms can be lessened using the same four areas of biology, psychology, socialness and spirituality.
Taking care of yourself biologically can include exercising, eating healthy and having regular doctor visits. Being open and honest with your thoughts and feelings if you are down can address your personal psychology and help prevent from an overload of emotions. Balancing your work and social life can help you to keep energy to manage life’s stressors. Lastly, being connected to nature or participating in religious practices may buffer effects of depression.
Depression does not have to be your identity. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources on campus to help. The Family Life Center at 435-797-7224 and the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at 435-797-1012 can provide students with therapeutic help. Please call if you or someone you care about is struggling.
– Ty Aller is a master’s student in the marriage and family therapy program at USU. If you have topics relating to mental health that you want covered, send him your suggestions via email: Ty.Aller@aggiemail.usu.edu.