Depression: The devastating effect of suicide

Many people today tend to ignore the devastating effect of depression. Depression is a disease that has caused the deaths of millions of people across the world. For us to figure out how to overcome this ailment, we must first understand what it is. According to Longman dictionary, depression is a medical condition that makes you very unhappy and anxious and often prevents you from living a normal life.

When one is depressed, you feel anxious, worried about the future. The person withdraws into his or her shell and lives a very secluded lifestyle. This eventually leads such persons to decide to take their own lives, i.e commit suicide. I know people who have committed suicide and those who have attempted to. Sometimes, when they decide to speak up, tell others what they are facing, they are mostly ignored because people feel that their problems are too small or insignificant to be bothered about. Then, when the worst happens, it's too late.

First of all, what are the causes of depression?
Depression is caused by several things depending on the problems the sufferer faces but they are generally caused by the following things. 

1. Feelings of low self worth: The person feels insignificant compared to others. He feels unimportant especially when compared to people who he thinks are better than him. 
2. Loneliness: The patient feels that he is lonely because people despise him. He feels unwanted, unloved, useless. The feeling of loneliness hits him everytime.
3. Feeling of unappreciation: The depressed patient feels that no matter what he does, he is never good enough because he isn't appreciated enough. He tries his hardest and still no result. 
4. Feelings of regrets: He or she could feel regret based on so many things. It could be that he had done something in the past which continues to haunt him. It could also be that he regrets his present situation and feels that there is nothing he can do to change his previous actions. He is miserable in his present situation.
5. Trauma: This takes place when something devastating took place in your past and you can't get over it. That traumatic experience continues to eat away at the person and if not treated as soon as possible, the person looses his life.
6. Fear of being judged: This happens when people are afraid of saying their innermost secrets because they are worried that people will judge them or hate them for their dirty secrets. They ffeel that there is no hope that their real nature will come out because they are afraid of people's reactions. It could be that the person is gay or has an incurable sexually transmitted  disease, it could be anything.

Generally, the person is frustrated with life. He sees life as a burden, a trap, something meaningless. The only option left is to free himself or herself from the trap called life by ending it. But what can you do to stop this depression from spreading? Here are some ways which I feel will work for everyone who is suffering from depression.

The first thing is to indulge in something that will make you happy apart from the current thing you are doing. There are so many ways that one can do for others. You can bring a smile on the faces of people by helping out the poor and needy in the society. Volunteering in homeless shelter, orphanages. These little things add meaning to someone's life. By doing this, you will receive all the encouragement and appreciation you deserve.

Secondly, avoid being idle and lonely. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. Always indulge in a pastime activity such as reading, trying out new recipes, taking a walk, meeting with friends both physically or online. Ensure that you are always around someone whether they want to or not. Suicide tendencies will most definitely arise. If you are alone, there is no way for to be seen or saved in time of a crises. A depressed person always doesn't want to be saved which is unfortunate. If you have space, bring someone to live with you and try making new friends who will impact something new in your life. 

Thirdly, understand that you cannot please everybody. Some people are destined to bring pain and torture you for the rest of your life but should you let that happen? No! When you do things hoping that people should love you for it, you are only causing suffering to yourself. Do things because you love doing them. Don't mind what others say. Some human beings are proud and will never admit that you are good at what you do. Instead, they will belittle you and make you feel that they are right. They will hurt your pride and reduce you to nothing. The only thing a depressed person notices is the negative comments. They never take time to notice the positive ones. No matter how small, they matter. Don't try to please those inconsiderate ones, they don't see The Star inside of you.

Also, don't allow heartbreak to get the best of you. Some people are fragile when someone breaks their hearts. They feel helpless and believe that they will never get over their heartbreak. But can you guarantee the future? Do you know how your life will turn out? The past always gives way for the future. The person meant for you is sure to appear. There may be no space for such person at the moment but in the future, the opportunity to meet that special one will present itself. But, depression doesn't make you see all these. You only think of your past and wallow in it. You feel like no one else will appear. No one who shares the same ideals as you do or sees things the same way you do. That is wrong! There is always someone for everyone, but when you allow depression to twist your mind, you will never get to see the one who was meant for you. 

Furthermore, seek medical help. Psychiatrists are there to help you. You should not ignore them. Ordinary people might not understand what you are going through even your family and closest friends. Most of them ignore the fact that you have secrets and regrets which are eating away at you. They love you but they don't understand you. A good psychiatrist will listen to your problems. Don't hold yourself back. Holding back will only hurt more. If you do what you are meant to do according to the psychiatrist instructions, you will find yourself regaining your low self esteem.

Abandon everything that makes you feel worthless or makes you suffer. Is it your abusive partners? Your shitty job, your ex lover, your monotonous lifestyle, Dump them all and recreate yourself. Become a new you. The you that lives for yourself and not to please others even though you are a celebrity. It might be difficult at first but it works out in the end. 
Lastly, turn to God. Prayer is a good way to overcome this pressure. If no one sees your innermost turmoil, God does. Be it Muslim or whatever religion you practice, pray, pray and pray. Your life is precious, don't throw it away. You didn't decide when you came into the world, God did. He has a purpose for you. There is a reason why you are here. You are not just anyone. It could be that God brought you here to save someone, to put a smile on somebody's face, to birth someone important to the world, to be someone important to the world.

You will not see it now but it is there. Your purpose is there. Only when you have achieved your purpose will God take you, not you taking yourself. There is always hope for the living. The dead has no hope. There will always be sunshine after the rain falls. If you are suffering from depression, I hope this post helps change your mind about your life. It could be that your destiny isn't to be a birth mother, father, even if that's what you want most in the world but it could be something more rewarding. Perhaps sharing your love with others who have never received love. You just have to pick yourself up and find it. 

Thanks for reading, I hope this post is useful to someone out there. Remember somebody out there loves you, you are not alone.

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