Unmasking The “Self” of Major Depression

One probably cannot imagine the multitude of despairing and desolate individuals on antidepressants in this day and age wherein major depression has become the product of an increasingly progressive yet complex society. Major depression has been easily perceived as a manifestation of a chemical imbalance in the brain and as such, those afflicted with this disorder may not try to find the initiative to instigate healing from within themselves. The truth is, major depression can be a thick layer of entangled emotional and psychological issues that bury the person within. This is why those beset with major depression lose themselves.

They become so enmeshed with their anxiety, anger, insecurity or fear that it has become who they are. They forget who they are and consider themselves under the label of the “disturbed”. Labeling has long been considered as one of the unjudicious discriminatory tendencies of the society. One who is beset with depression must therefore aim on un-labeling themselves and seeing themselves for who they are – a person- and not a depressive patient. It may be vital to understand that there is a “you” beneath the mask of major depression and the “you” within has a voice that needs to be heed.

A person must strive to see the person within and segregate it from the callous coverings of major depression. This may entail tremendous introspection but exploring the murky emotions of major depression and dealing with them one by one may be a way to ascertain the disorder from the “self” within. The fitting mantra for those overwhelmed by major depression should be “I am not major depression. I am ME”. The struggle may be arduous as one confronts their own emotional and psychological issues but it may be one way of breaking free from this tormenting disorder. Regarding major depression as another person who has taken over the person within may put things in proper perspective.

In the same manner, one must constantly insist on believing that the person within is worth caring for and loving. That inner person is the real self and that which is essential, not the feelings or emotions that move through it. Little by little, unmasking the layers of emotions that have prevailed over the self may be a means for healing. Are those emotions anger or fear, frustration or insecurity? Confronting them one by one may eventually thin the layers out. Nurturing efforts to know the good in the person within may likewise be the path to shatter the binding chains of major depression.

The label of being “depressive” or being “disturbed” must not be taken personally otherwise the individual may begin to define themselves within those limits. Whether antidepressants are the ultimate recourse for major depression remains to be unfounded. Psychotherapy on the other hand may aid the individual in sorting out the intertwined issues that have created the monster called major depression. Conventional medicine and alternative health practices are constantly instigating efforts to address this distressing and potentially deadly disorder. This endeavor is certainly laudable but much can be likewise said of the personal motivation of those beset with major depression to free themselves from its vicious grip.