Hello on a mild fall evening in Minnesota, and thank you for continuing to read the Self Help Tips Blog!

Today I would like to continue with our discussion about depression.

One of the sad facts of American life is that a lot of us see the world through its visible perception. We tend to look at the surface facts (the six o’clock news view) rather than the underlying truths around them. If we see somebody in a wheelchair, we presume that they have a serious illness. But if we see someone with two healthy arms and two healthy legs, we assume that they are perfectly healthy.

It is this perception that leads to many prejudices against people who have serious illnesses that may not show on the surface. “It is not seen on the surface, therefore it must not exist.” One such example is people who suffer from depression. While on the surface these people may seem completely whole and normal, inside their body and mind are going through complete turmoil. Furthermore, we assume that since people with depression have a "mental illness", they must be crazy and should be feared, scorned and otherwise shunned from society as dangerous freaks.

Depression, although classified as a mental illness, is as much a physical illness as it is a mental one. Scientists believe that one of the main causes of depression is a chemical imbalance between serotonin levels in the brain. Although mood changes and times of feeling sad are not uncommon and should not be feared, when it comes to a point where the person cannot control it and it last for long periods of time (more then two weeks), the help of a professional should be sought.

This imbalance can often be treated with medication and people who suffer from depression can find relief relatively quickly through this means. Also, counseling can give the sufferer of depression many tools to help understand what is happening to them. This will help the depressed person deal with their depression and may make medication less necessary or unnecessary altogether. Often, the two working together in balance with each other will give the depressed person a good deal of relief from the pain they are suffering from.

Usually, it will be a relatively brief period of time that the person will need both medication and or therapy. In more severe cases where the depressed person has probably been depressed for a long time and has not known it, it can take years of therapy and medication for them to be able to deal with their illness. It is helpful for one to understand that the depression is not only a mental illness, but a physical illness as well.

Depression hurts as much physically, as it does mentally. A pain that one cannot escape from, it can leave many depressed persons feeling severely vulnerable. Many depressed people feel very helpless, misunderstood, and very isolated. It is useful for somebody who has loved one that suffers from depression to help them feel that they are worthy, valued and an important part of their life.

It is also useful to remember that depression affects people on every level and every aspect of their lives. It is important to be compassionate, understanding, and extremely supportive. Understand that the depressed person is trying to seek a way out as much as you are for them, but they are in extreme pain and often their vision is clouded.

Do not come off as knowing all of the answers, as this often just insults their intelligence. It is most helpful to act as a guide to help the depressed person find the answers they need to find within themselves. It is not uncommon for a depressed person to have gone through a traumatic event that they cannot seem to come to terms with, that sets up a conflict in their subconscious and is to painful to face.

Never confuse lack of motivation, lack of seeming to care or outward signs of wise choices with lack of intelligence. Many depressed people are highly intelligent overachievers that are deeply passionate, caring people. It is often this strive for perfection that causes some of the depression, as the person begins to become frustrated with not reaching their lofty goals and begins to think that this is some personal weakness or flaw that they have inside themselves.

Mark Twain, one of our most beloved story tellers, suffered from severe depression.  It can happen to anyone.