How would you feel if I told you that depression is being “manufactured” or “created” by leading professionals in the field of psychiatry?  Would you be relieved to know that perhaps depression isn’t as severe as psychiatry says it is? Or would you feel like you are hearing another “conspiracy theory?”   

Depression is a rather controversial topic, not simply because it is the leading cause of disability for individuals ages 15 and up, but because psychiatry’s definition of depression has changed over time and has been treated based on a changing and created categorical system known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

What comes to mind when I say “mania?” Do you think of hyperactive behavior, an inability to be still or focus attention, or very euphoric behavior? If so, you are correct.

Depression is one of those health conditions that usurps every part of a suffering individual’s life. Employment, interpersonal relationships  responsibilities, motivation, future goals, level of patience, etc. are all affected by depressions sting. As I described in a previous article, depression clouds the sufferers lens so that everything appears nebulous.

Depression is quite complicated. It entails a host of symptoms that perplex even the savviest therapist. Depression is even more complicated in children and men because the expression of symptoms is not as clear-cut for them as it is for others. Nonetheless, depression is one of those “diseases” that requires a compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, and understanding individual to identify it. Families, caregivers, and friends who suspect a loved one experiencing depression ought to know that depression can entail lots of symptoms. Sadly, many people believe depression is a sad mood, bad mood, or negative thinking that can be overcome through will power. This is not always the case. Depression often requires treatment.

We’ve been talking a lot about delusions and hallucinations lately,so lets end our discussion with the differences and ways to cope.

What a cute baby in this photo. Can you imagine a mother taking her life? No. Most people could not even wrap an inch of their mind around this tragic reality. But for some families with a loved one with a severe or untreated mental illness, homicide or violence is far too common a reality.

One of the most shocking incidents in life is when a child is murdered. The most unfathomable is when a mother (maternal filicide) or father (paternal filicide) kills their own child. When a parent kills their own child it is referred to as filicide. Filicide is a form of homicide that can be committed by a mother or a father, despite media attention often on mothers. Unfortunately, most media outlets do not cover incidents involving filicide so many are uninformed about its existence and prevalence around the world.

It’s always difficult to put ourselves in the shoes of others who are experiencing very complicated and emotionally draining life events. Unless we have been in some “dark valleys” ourselves, we have no idea of how families of mentally ill loved ones perceive the world. It’s also quite difficult to comprehend the mental world of the individual experiencing the illness. The most we can do as “outsiders” is offer our compassion, support, concern, and guidance.

Hallucinations often involve a profound disturbance in perception(s) which can influence not only behavior, but connection with reality. Hallucinations are different from delusions:

1. Delusions: Delusions are false beliefs held to be true, despite evidence to the contrary. They can be bizarre (the government is after me) or non-bizarre (someone is stalking me).
2. Hallucinations: Hallucinations includes disturbance or difficulty with our senses (hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling).
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According to the National Alliance To End Homelessness (2013), at least 250,000 families are homeless. The National Center On Family Homelessness reports that 1 in 45 kids, or 1.6 million, are homeless in America. Homelessness is a serious epidemic and the issue is not just about the individual living with homelessness, but society in general.

“I am thankful to all those who said no to me. It’s because of them I did it myself”__Albert Einstein

Did you know that rain brings growth to more things than plants and flowers? I have seen just how “rainy” seasons in my life motivated me to grow. Without those “dark valley’s,” I’m not sure I could relate or understand what it takes to hold on in moments of distress. What is one  secret to my courage? It is to allow my insecurities and worries about tomorrow to bolster my courage and character.