Understanding Depression (Part 1 of 2)

Depression is real and prevalent. Many live in the felt reality that the skies are cloudy, and no sun exists behind them. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kathy Knochel and Ted Witzig Jr. speak to the realities of depression - what it is, what it feels like, and what effect it has on living.

Show notes:

What it is:

Clinical depression is a mental condition that flags five of the following nine symptoms:

·        Sad or depressed mood.

·        Loss of interest in things once appreciated.

·        Weight loss or weight gain.

·        Sleep loss or sleep gain.

·        Agitated and “keyed up” or sluggish and “slowed .down”.

·        Loss of energy and motivation.

·        Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.

·        Decreased concentration.

·        Wanting to die.

What it feels like:

·        Depression feels like driving with the brake on. Everything is more difficult. Joy is snuffed out of life. Stressors overwhelm resources. The sky is grey, with no hope of clouds parting. If they did part, no sun exists beyond them anyhow.

What effect it has on living:

·        Depression tends to a spiraling downward. Natural reactions to depression tend toward being unhelpful rather than helpful. Depression tends toward isolation and isolation tends towards a further depressed state. Hopelessness tends toward inactivity and inactivity tends toward failure to meet work deadlines. Depression exasperates itself.

How can helpers help?

·        Help people reverse the downward spiral with small incremental steps in the positive direction. Do this, not by giving orders but by coming along side hurting individuals.