Depression is insidious. For people living with it, joy is elusive. Depression is not only a general feeling of sadness or being down and out; it’s a serious condition that needs attention. People suffering from depression cannot just get over it and move on. They need support, healing, and to discover the epicenter of their pain.
It is estimated that 6.7 percent of the US population has had an episode of depression. That’s 16.2 million Americans. Of that population, 63 percent describe their depression as a major hindrance in their life.
The hidden pain of social isolation
One of the hardest aspects of depression is suffering in silence. Lack of connection and social isolation are major factors in depression. The pain areas in the brain for social isolation are triggered just as they are when people experience physical pain. Pain is activated and represented in the brain for both social and physical pain without any distinction. Pain is pain.
The difference is that when we see an individual with a physical ailment like a broken leg, we have a natural protective and generalized way to empathize. We imagine the pain with the help of our empathy circuit and mirror neurons in our brain. But when an individual suffers from depression, it is masked, manifests from an abyss, and may be hidden from us. Thus, the person suffers alone.
Why depression appears in certain populations
A recent study in Nature found that 36 percent of graduate students reported having depression, approximately six times the national average. Why is this escalated in graduate students? It is not clear whether it is the deep study of human existence, continued failure, persistence of feeling like an imposter, or striving for the impossible.
In our recent study, conducted by Ruth Karpinski, we found that individuals with greater intelligence reported an increase in depression: People with a higher verbal IQ tend to worry and ruminate more, and have an association with more depression and anxiety. A more active and engaged mind may have the challenge of imagining more worst-case scenarios, although that same mind can also imagine the best outcomes. Both abilities are essential for creative problem-solving and taking calculated risks. Importantly, being aware and tuning into the imagination of possibilities is the first step in knowing how to ground a highly intelligent and creative person.
Alarmingly, teen depression has been on the rise since 2005. It is hypothesized that our society is becoming more disconnected, and despite connections through technology, we are missing in-person, real-time social interactions. More studies are pointing to the fact that addiction to screens, social media, and video games is on the rise. Is this leading us to increasing disconnection? Encouraging face-to-face connection is essential for wellness in our developing minds and teaching healthy habits when engaging with social media.
Treatment and support
Depression can be treated with a number of therapies for healing, including talk therapy, meditation, and medications.
Importantly, healing can be found in the arts. Writing about your pain, drawing, singing, and acting are all channels to help with depressive symptoms. Additionally, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been shown to decrease symptoms of depression. Connecting with nature, friends, and just talking with a confidante about your struggles may ease your suffering.
If you are suffering from depression, I wish you healing, I wish you peace, I wish you freedom from suffering, and I wish you equanimity.
Now and always.
If you or someone you love is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7 dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
