Jessie
Depression—a term
that』s too vague to classify. Is it a sickness like cancer and diabetes
that strikes at people randomly? Or it is just a symptom that people
have when they are under too much pressure? People』s reaction toward
it makes it even harder to classify. Depression is now one of the most
widespread sicknesses in the world. However, unlike the patients who
have cancers or other illnesses, people who have depression often do not
consult doctors immediately nor seek treatment very eagerly. They tend
to conceal the fact that they have depression.
According to the survey done by the National DMDA (National
Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association), 63% of the people
(Americans) who did the survey suspect themselves to be suffering from
depression. However, only 27% of them consult the doctor and get
treatment. Psychiatrists are very concerned about this situation. 「We
cannot help unless the patients come to us,」 said Dr. Roberta Barker, a
psychiatrist at Lutheran General Hospital, 「it does not just go away if
you rest, like a flu---it will stick with you and gets worse if you go
on ignoring it.」
Lack of familiarity with depression might be one of the main reasons
that many depression patients go around untreated. However, people』s
misconceptions made it even harder for the depression patients to admit
their own sickness, not to mention to get professional help. Because
depression is a mental problem, people tend to look at it thought a
colored glass. They do not feel sympathy toward the patients; on the
contrary, they often think the patients are 「crazy.」 They believe that
the patients』 strange behaviors are just childish actions done to catch
attentions. They blame the patients for not having a better control of
their own temper. But they did not understand, like all other
sicknesses, depression patients couldn』t control their condition; those
strange behaviors are part of the symptom that they themselves also want
to get rid of.
Depression is deadly—no matter how you classify it. People should throw
away their prejudice when it comes to a fatal thing like this. Human
body is a masterpiece of God. Despite its wonder, the body is still a
mystery for today』s medical science. You cannot blame someone for being
sick---or weird---it is just uncontrollable sometimes. If you really
can』t treat the depressed normally, then you should leave them in
peace. Stop making ridiculous assumptions or cruel rumors to make their
situation worse. Keep it in mind—you will never know when it would be
your turn.