Depression is still a big taboo in our society – unfortunately!
So many people suffer from depression and do not dare to seek help out of shame. I am writing about this today because there is a rise in anxiety and fear all around us. Everyone is affected by the lockdowns and the propaganda in the main steam media in one way or the other. Some simply become more and more aggressive and others fall into depression as it is too much to bear.

So especially in the current time in which we are forced to be more and more asocial, in which we isolate ourselves and have to keep more and more distance to others, more people suffer from this insidious illness with sometimes terrible consequences.

What is the worst punishment for people who are imprisoned? The answer is simple, it is isolation. The depravation of social contacts is torture. We are not designed to be alone. What we are experiencing right now worldwide is mass torture, by people being estranged from one another and being isolated. This form of loneliness is one of the worst a human being can experience and the consequences resulting from it are severe. Depression, despondency and anxiety are the result.

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Many years ago I was diagnosed with Burn Out, and I resist this expression because it trivialises a serious illness to make it socially more acceptable. I had an exhaustion depression. Even though it was almost 10 years ago, it’s still not easy to talk about – not because I’m ashamed. What makes this illness so insidious is that nobody can see you are actually ill. Especially during that time I was often told how good and bright I look. You can see a broken leg, you can even see when someone has a cold, but depression is an illness of a terribly wounded soul – and you cannot see it. You are easily labelled as not resilient, too sensitive, crazy, difficult or whatever.
At that time I was very lucky to have had a wonderful and very patient family doctor who did not push me. It is so important to encourage affected people and that it is nothing to be ashamed of and above all that it is something that most certainly can be cured.
As with all illnesses, it is so incredibly important to admit that you are indeed ill and need help to get out of your depression. Very few people make it on their own. However, there is a stigma attached to this diagnosis, this disease, which causes many people not to seek help and stay in the closet. In the worst case this can lead to someone ending their life. If you are not sure if you or someone you care for is affected here are some of the

Symptoms

that may be an indication.

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.

If you are affected, please do not hesitate to seek help. If you do not want to confide in anyone you know, but you feel the need to talk to someone then one option is to contact the suicide hotline of your country and know that you are not alone. There is always someone who cares for you and will show you ways to get out of this crisis.

And sometimes a song can save lives… https://youtu.be/Kb24RrHIbFk

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