Do self-help books help depression?

“Books help those who want to help themselves.”

― Bert McCoy

Bibliophiles would agree that books really bring a change in our lives, be it a minor one or a gigantic one; a change is a change. You may read a story plot that gives you a lesson for life; meet a character that you relate to, or just see a sort of character development that leaves you bemused. Whatever it is, every book leaves an impact. 

There might stand hundreds of genres of books in a queue, but there will be those few genres which are duly loved and appreciated by the audience. A few of them that shall be named: Romance, Thriller, Murder mystery or most probably the crowning glory of the Non-fiction genre; SELF-HELPS! 

What is a self-help book did you ask? 

Self-help books, in simple words, are those books that are written to help the reader solve personal problems. In other clear-cut words, they can also be named Life Guidance books. 

A fun fact, the name 'Self-Help' itself was derived from a novel of the same name written by Samuel Smiles in the year 1859, and since then it became a branch in the huge tree of book genres. The genre is also widely known as 'Self-improvement' books which clarify the intention and the synopsis of these books. 

But the real question is; Do self-help books really help Depression? 

I mean, let's be honest, during the depression a person legit has the least amount of interest in doing any task be it eating, sleeping or working. Then why would a person want to read during this phase? 

Besides this fact, if a person does manage to convince oneself to read, wouldn't it be like telling a person going through depression that 'everything is fine', 'it is okay', 'you should see the positive' and etc. For a fact, a depressed person surely will not want to hear all of it. The state sometimes is so severe that they feel all of the bad emotions present in the world more dominantly and that too at once - restlessness, anxiousness, fear, guilt, sleeplessness, and most of all suicidal thoughts! 

Is it that easy for a person who constantly thinks about everything bad that has happened, and about hurting themselves, worst committing suicide to be okay after reading something? 

Agreed that they might help for self-growth, self-love, and self-improvement in terms of love, career and despair. But in depression, do they actually? 

If it was so easy to cure depression why would there actually be clinical treatments and psychologists? One can reckon to the fact that reading leaves an eternal impact, maybe more than hearing something, but when one doesn't read with their whole heart and attention, it never actually means anything. 

I won't say self-helps don't help at all, they do play a part, they might just make you a little more active and eager to be treated; to be all okay. But they definitely aren't the treatment themselves!

Depression, just like any other disease, requires your utmost attention, care and proper treatment. 

Self-help might be the medicine, but the therapy matters the most!

~ ***** ~ 

~ By MeeRa

(Meenal Singhal)

 

How can one detect Depression?

Profoundly known as a psychological disorder, madness for unenlightened and nescient, Depression, in general, is a mood disorder. People tend to relate it with some sort of madness which is actually exaggerating, sometimes understating it as a 'mere' state of stress. However, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), depression is -

'A negative affective state, ranging from unhappiness and discontent to an extreme feeling of sadness, pessimism, and despondency, that interferes with daily life. Various physical, cognitive, and social changes also tend to co-occur, including altered eating or sleeping habits, lack of energy or motivation, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and withdrawal from social activities.'

This clearly underlines the fact that it is not a mere mood change, the short-term feeling of despair or sadness. Rather, the roots of the disorder run deep into the souls who suffer through this. Even though people usually undermine it, sometimes overstating it, it is because of the lack of awareness regarding mental disorders; mental health as well on a larger scale.


Humans have a tendency to take precautions and medicines to cure ailments that affect their physical being, but even the thought of being treated by a 'psychologist' make them feel embarrassed. Just the thought of people judging them as 'mental' or 'of unsound mind' create greater chaos in their minds, and that treatment becomes so much less of a priority for them.


Not just the suffering souls, but even the people around them fail to detect depression, either because the sufferers manage to hide it so efficiently, or they lack awareness.


Before we move on to the various factors that can help determine depression in a person, it is fundamental that we know how many types of depression are there -


A) Major Depression - This form of depression lasts long for a couple of weeks, say 2 weeks usually, however, the person completely loses the ability to work, sleep, eat or even do any small task due to the disturbed state of mind.

B) Persistent Depressive Disorder - Named Dysthymia as well, this form of depression can last over 2 years with less severe symptoms that might come for short while time and again.

One might be amused to learn that besides these two prominent forms of depression, there are other branches of this disorder which came to light over the last few years. These are not much talked about, hence people usually do not even believe in their existence.


1. Perinatal depression - This is when the woman suffers from depression during or after the pregnancy or the delivery. This is not usually talked about, hence people lack knowledge of the severity of this state. If too severe, there is even a risk to the mother and baby's health in this condition.
2. Seasonal Affective Disorder - People usually associate the seasons with emotions. Amusingly, this disorder states the same. This type of state occurs when one suffers from depression which begins at the beginning of fall (autumn) and lasts the whole winter.
3. Psychosis Depression - The most severe and turbulent of the lot, this state of depression includes the patient having delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (seeing things which others can't.)


One might be surprised to learn all these sorts of Depression that a person can have. But it is more appalling to learn the symptoms of this disorder which are not visible to the naked eye unless observed carefully.


Here are some important facts and symptoms of Depression that can help you detect it if you ever come across a case -

1. Observing feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiousness, pessimism, irritation, or restlessness in a person.
2. Changes in weight or appetite - it's a false belief that people lose their appetite in depression, rather people even start chronic eating in this state sometimes.
3. Aches, pains, headaches, cramps, digestive issues
4. Difficulty in sleeping, concentrating or doing any work
5. Fatigue and worthlessness; even feelings of guilt
6. The utmost important symptom which needs attention: suicidal thoughts/ attempt

If you ever witness these symptoms in people around you and want to help them, especially concerning people wanting to hurt themselves, there are various helpline numbers available that you can contact for help. The aforementioned symptoms are sometimes just regular mood changes, for these to be associated with depression, one must observe 2-3 symptoms out of all these daily for some time.

Depression isn't a valley that once you fall into it is the end, but it surely is a swamp which will suck you slowly into it. It is possible to come out of it, but it needs effort and patience in equal amounts. Getting treated for depression doesn't make anyone weak, be it emotionally or mentally.

This is what we all need to believe in, and also makes the people suffering this belief that if they aren't feeling fine; they will be fine!

Just a matter of time, some effort, patience and most significantly; proper treatment and medication!

~ ***** ~

Note - All the facts, symptoms and information mentioned in this blog are referred from the official domain of the National Institute of Mental Health. Please visit the website if you wish to learn more about Depression.


The picture above does not belong to me but to its respective owner.

~ By MeeRa

(Meenal Singhal)