Depression affects roughly a third of the population of the United States each year. That is a lot of people. Something that most people do not understand is that depression affects each of those individuals differently. This characteristic of the "common cold of psychology" (as my friend put it) is why it can be difficult to diagnose in teens. In teens, it often manifests itself as irritability, fatigue, and insomnia. It can be difficult to recognize that this is in fact depression and not merely teen angst and teen laziness. Teen depression is less likely to be treated since it is difficult to recognize.
Because it is less likely to be identified when the depression is relatively mild, it can get to the point where suicide seems like a viable option. I have only ever had suicidal thoughts once. It was last year over spring break. My boyfriend at the time and his dad had gotten upset with each other because he and I had been having sex. I felt very uncomfortable and overall rejected, so I left his house crying. I was also in physical pain because I have chronic joint pain. The emotional and physical pain was too much for me. I considered ending it. Later I discovered that my birth control medication switch had given me estrogen withdrawal, which led to my sudden mood swings. My experience was quite unusual.
People consider suicide for a variety of reasons. I think it all comes down to escapism. People want to escape the pain, the situation, whatever it may be. They feel like no one could ever love them and like they are isolated. Perhaps they are bullied. Perhaps they are abused. Perhaps their anxiety has gotten the best of them. Whatever the situation, the Doctor has something important to say to them:
"900 years of time and space and I've never met anyone who wasn't important."
That is just a TV show, but that is also the beauty of it. I think watching TV is also a form of escapism. We, as viewers, get sucked into the world of the show. I do not know about you, but I get attached to fictional characters. I root for them and, at some points, aggressively give them advice ("No, Callie! Don't do that! Go back home!" for The Fosters). What better show to escape into than Doctor Who? The Doctor can take you anywhere throughout time and space in his TARDIS. You get to meet so many different types of extraterrestrial beings. Do not gawk at them. Instead respond with curiosity and openness, unless it is a Dalek or Cyberman, naturally. The Doctor is an optimist with a heavy heart from all he has lost. You can share in both the joy and pain of the Doctor and perhaps learn how to cope with your own.
Whether you are single or taken or "it's complicated." have a great Valentine's Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment