DEPRESSION : AN INTRODUCTION

Always Remember “Sadness is always temporary. This,too, shall pass.”

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Most people feel sad or depressed at times. It’s a normal reaction to loss or life's struggles.

But when intense sadness -- including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless -- lasts for many days to weeks and keeps you from living your life, it may be something more than sadness. You could have clinical depression -- a treatable medical condition. I'm not a mental health professional, and make no claims for any expertise in the field of mental health in general, or with depression in particular. However, I know meditators who have struggled with depression, and they have found their practice to be a great support. I’ve also experienced periods of depression myself, and mindfulness has been an invaluable tool for emerging from that state.

There may be some kinds of meditation which are not of benefit to those who have a tendency to experience depression, and I will mention those in this section. The Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana practices however, are certainly useful for anyone to practice.

In fact the Metta Bhavana(development of lovingkindness) practice is highly recommended for those who experience depression. However there may also be times when it’s best for those who are depressed not to meditate — for example when experiencing an extreme bout of depression it is probably not a good idea to try to meditate. One reason for this are that learning to meditate is a challenging experience, and because when one is very depressed one has few inner resources to fall back on, any difficulties experienced while learning meditation are likely to be taken too seriously and interpreted as a sign of personal failure. Another reason is that when we’re depressed we tend to over-indulge in what’s called “rumination,” or the endless turning over in the mind of thoughts about what’s wrong with our lives. Because meditation is an inward-turned activity it may actually give people who are experiencing depression yet another opportunity to ruminate.

In cases of milder depression it’s quite possible to meditate effectively, building on whatever inner resources one has in order to lift oneself into a more positive frame of mind.

Seven out of 10 college students feel stressed about their personal finances, according to a new national survey.

Adulthood is no walk in the park either, and certain life events are associated with depression. “With women between 25 and 44, the joy and stress of raising children is the most likely life pattern.

Depression is a common problem in older adults. And the symptoms of elderly depression can affect every aspect of your life, impacting your energy, appetite, sleep, and interest in work, hobbies, and relationships.

Unfortunately, all too many depressed older adults fail to recognize the symptoms of depression, or don’t take the steps to get the help they need.

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Facts-:

• In 2015 (latest available data), there were 44,193 reported suicide deaths in the U.S.

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 34 in the United States.

• Currently, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

• A person dies by suicide about every 12.8 minutes in the United States.

• Every day, approximately 121 Americans take their own life.

• Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.

• There are four male suicides for every female suicide, but three times as many females as males attempt suicide.

• 494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm behavior, suggesting that approximately 12 people harm themselves (not necessarily intending to take their lives) for every reported death by suicide.