Depression can be normal?

Depression can be normal because at some point, depressing things happen to you as a natural part of life. Depressing things happen to us at work, at home, at the grocery store, in line at the movies, and sometimes depressing situations or emotions just happen out of no where for no apparent reason. The issue starts when depression just doesn't lift, for a lengthy period of time.

I think it's very easy for people who do not understand depression to say inappropriate things such as, "Hey, snap out of it." or the ever popular, "Hey, be happy!". Some well meaning people might even try to bring you out of it by doing or saying something to you... but, ultimately the depression is usually something that WE have to manage and isn't something someone can just change for us.

The industry for anti-depressants has been making $$$ off of people who are depressed for decades. While there are many people who genuinely need those pills because they have a chemical imbalance or other medical reason - there are a number of people who take them who are perfectly fine but are convinced that they need to have them in order to feel happy.

Unless you have a medical disorder or chemical imbalance - there are healthy ways to deal with depression that doesn't require large amounts of alcohol, drugs, or even prescriptions. It's called, "dealing with depressing situations in a healthy way." In some cases, (for some people) feeling blue is really a choice. For some people, it's all about attitude and how we've chosen to react to something that has happened to us. There is no magic formula because every person is different... but, overall - the ways in which we react and handle events in our lives has a significant impact on how we feel about it.

Have you ever had a break-up with someone you thought was on your side? (friend, boyfriend/girlfriend) Who hasn't? Did you stay depressed about it forever? Not likely. Why? At some point, most people decide to put it behind them and move on. It was a very normal and human reaction to feel depressed about what happened to you. You were disappointed that it didn't work out. Perhaps a pint of ice cream was gone, as were the lotion tissues, and it was nice to sleep for a few days... then one day you decided that you weren't going to hurt over it anymore.

In situations where someone has a disorder, they do not have that ability to just move on from a hurtful or painful situation as easily. To know you have a problem is when it persists for weeks. That is where a qualified therapist or psychologist comes in very handy to explore why you're feeling that way.

Depression does not have to be crippling to your life. The worst thing to do is never take action... ignoring never seems to work well for a lot of people and can make matters worse. However, depression does not have to be a life sentence. There are options. There are healthy ways to address it... regardless if it's temporary or if you have a chronic issue.

Communication is always key... and being honest with yourself - rather self-aware - with what is really going on with your mind and body.