After a long time, I met my school friend unexpectedly during my recent vacation to a hill station. He had come there along with his brother and brother’s wife. How meeting an old friend after a long time gives us a vigor joy, it is really fabulous. Within five minutes of talking with him I could feel some difference in him. Probably I would have perceived some thoughts about him of his glib approach during those days. He was captain of football team in our school and was much sought by gals. In short he was a hero of our school. He was so arrogant but helpful to others. This also made him so pride. We were envious of him.
During conversation I could sense his garrulous speech was missing and he 
answered only to my inquiries and was very calm and mostly saw the ground not seeing the flowers or the crowd around or my eyes. At one point of time I have taken aback whether he is avoiding me. But further talking with him and his brother I could not come to a clear conclusion whether they were avoiding me, because in between our discussion they were inquiring about nearby areas where they can stroll and they discussed the topics of common interests. Then they left to see some other places around. I was in unusual state of mind because, my perception was, and he will talk to me munificently as he was in those days. But it was contradictory. After coming to my place I shared this incident with a known person who stays nearby friend’s house. What he told me was really thought provoking
My friend suffered DEPRESSION due to his mother’s death. He was very much attached to his mother. This made him not able to concentrate on his studies and subsequently he did not attempt the exams even. He started being alone. Slowly his superlative nature had faded and totally he kept himself isolated. He had not shared his problem to others. His family members came to a conclusion only after two years that he had some mental illness. By that time he went into bipolar depression and recovering now. Nowadays his family members always keep an eye on him. They feel that if they would have identified it at an early stage they could have easily cured it. That incident and this story really affected me because I had seen him on those days and I had seen him two weeks back. What a difference in a hero?
People consult physician if they face problem with other organs like lungs and lever. They discuss these problems with their peers and family members and seek help finding the right physician. But when people suffer with depression they are reluctant in discussing and seek help to get solace and solutions. This tendency is high with male than female. They think it will affect their image. But doctors say, depression can come to anybody due to external environment and how people perceive the issue. The delay in consulting the physician and not taking appropriate early action actually complicates the problem which otherwise easily solved. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop mental illness at some time in their lives. If depression is not treated at an early stage, it will get worse and affect a person’s ability to function in daily life and work. Even it may lead a person to suicide. Untreated depression not only deteriorates mental health but also physical health as well.
The important thing we should know that depression is not a weakness. Depression is not character flaw or the wages of sin or due to lack of will power (My friend was having a great will power). It is a problem related to a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it hard for the cells to communicate with one another. It is a medical problem and should be treated as such.
Depression cannot be identified and measured in Laboratory like diabetes and cholesterol. It will be known only by symptoms. Apart from the affected person , anybody having an awareness of depression can identify the symptoms and can help the affected person for an early treatment.
People, who are not able to get rid out of the blue mood even after two weeks and having other symptoms of depression, should consult physician immediately. They should not think that it will plummet as the time pass by. If we happen to see the persons having this problem, we should try to help them to have consultation with physician by convincing them without affecting their dignity. Mind it, depression is not a person’s weakness. Since depressed persons are already not in a clear mind to take a proper decision, this is our responsibility to help them come out of the problem Depression can be treated and cured. Millions of people are being treated for depression while they live busy and productive lives. Science has made great strides and sophisticated medications are easing the symptoms of depression and other mental illness. The point is not to neglect the symptoms and approach physician at an early stage.
CharlesD
