Slaying the demons of the mind

These days, many people are strong enough to accept their mental struggles openly. At the same time, one hears the word “depression” often. Even everyday pressure is being called depression. “She is depressed,” “I am depressed,” “I just listen to music when I am depressed”. Such use of the word leads to a situation in which the voices of those truly suffering or asking for help often go unheard, and they are denied support systems.

Unlike the normal response to difficulty, depression is a persistent mood disorder that can range from sadness to suicidal tendencies and can last from hours to months or even years. Its causes are complex, from heredity to psychology. It appears in forced smiles that hide a struggling mind, in sleepless nights of self-blame, and in repeated struggles that erode self-trust.

Feelings of worthlessness, guilt for failing to meet expectations, and the physical pain and disease that follow a heavy mind and heart are part of a defective system masked in a brand new outfit. It is not the fault of the sufferer. Hang on a little longer; you will find light at the end of the tunnel. Your questions will be answered. Your aching soul will find justice if you can hold on. Every day can be painful. The world will question you. Your body suffers, and you blame yourself and everyone else. You develop coping mechanisms. You try to heal and you fail multiple times. But one day, you will emerge and realise that these very things kept you tied to life rather than driving you away. Everything will make sense someday. Hold on to those true humans who become your “happiness pills”, preventing you from unhealthy, illegal choices. If there is no one you can lean on — whether the universe, God, or yourself — remember the strength you have fought with till today and hope that you will find light.

Seek professional help if possible. There are people around who can actually help—people who have overcome. You were never alone. And the world can be kinder, because no one knows who is in pain. Be less judgmental. Depression can be silent, and we only notice when we lose them.

As someone once said, the entire world is those wounded children disguised in adult outfits—those souls who have never grown up.

And always remember whenever the nights feel endless, it’s okay to be not okay.

drpriyanka.ayu@gmail.com