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Mild depression
It's a Question of Degree – mild depression
I take the view that mild depression can for many people
be entirely an natural response to some life events. Clearly,
there are some circumstances, like the death of a loved one
for example, where we would almost expect the bereaved person
to become very sad, to withdraw and to reflect on their loss.
I believe that the world we live in often puts enormous pressure
on us to 'fit in', to be 'normal', to 'bounce back'. I sometimes
watch TV (especially American TV) and see the hero fall in
love in one episode, only to lose her at the hands of a villain.
He's sad at the end of the episode but by the following week
it's another case, another city another girl! We all know
this isn't real life, but to what extent do we truly allow
ourselves the time to adjust to the major changes that life
can throw at us? The truth is, we need time to process things
in our mind -- and modern life often doesn't recognise this.
Mild depression
In days gone by we might have talked our feelings over in
confidence with perhaps an older or trusted member of what
might of course have been quite a large extended family. Or
we may have sought counsel from a priest, rabbi or other form
of religious or spiritual leader. Many people are still fortunate
to be able to do this, however, many of us do not have this
facility, or would feel uncomfortable with it. In such circumstances,
an alternative is to speak to a counsellor. Many people prefer
this, valuing the confidentiality and finding it easier or
preferable to speak to an 'impartial' third party.
In such cases the counsellor's role is to offer you a safe
and non-judgmental space, to listen and to reflect with you
on what they are hearing. They will listen out for and support
you to be aware of, your feelings. They will support you to
acknowledge all of your feelings, including any that you feel
may be 'inconvenient' or which you perhaps do not wish to
have or acknowledge. It is a gradual process that takes place
at your pace. The emphasis isn't on 'problem solving' but
on allowing you to 'take stock' of things.
If life adjustments are necessary, it is for you to come
to this in your own way, in your own time. The counsellor
won't get tired of listening because clients sometimes have
to back over things many times in order to 'straighten things
out' in their heads. Sometimes, nothing can be done about
what has happened, or will happen, yet talking about things
allows you to move towards acceptance, or to gently adjust
your perspectives or expectations and therefore to live more
comfortably with your situation.
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