The best practice to improve the health and livelihood of all people is to focus on preventing illness instead of treating it afterwards, no matter if the illness be physical or psychological. Prevention has always been better than cure but modern society struggles to embrace this ideology. Clinical depression is all too common. When trauma, tragedy or big life transitions occur it is natural for people to undergo high amounts of stress and uncertainty. Instead of processing emotions naturally, many people do not take what they are feeling seriously and instead suppress their emotions out of shame, cultural exaction or lack of community support. Others simply cannot deal with the change, especially if it is sudden. A lack of self-esteem also increases feelings of hopelessness which can all compound to spiral downwards into major clinical depression and may even be expressed through bouts of extreme anger.
Its okay to be sad, angry or frustrated and expressing these feelings and figuring out what is causing them is vital to preventing clinical depression. Oftentimes individuals spiral into depression through in a snowball effect which gets worse over time. Recognizing the root of what caused the initial feelings of melancholy is the first step to returning from the abyss of sadness. Family, friends and mental health professionals are resources that go underused and ignored every day. Leaving your anxiety, sadness and confusion to fester will only make it worse. If you are feeling sad, lonely, misunderstood and depressed, stop reading and talk to someone now.
Jane Dixon
