When It's More Than Just the Blues

If low-grade chronic depression is not dealt with, it can progress to a more serious disorder-major depression. "I constantly felt as if I were 'dead' inside", explained Marie, a victim of major depression. "I was just existing without any emotions. I had a feeling of constant dread." In major depression the gloomy mood is unrelenting and may continue for months. Consequently, this type of depression is the most common ingredient in teen suicides-now considered a "hidden epidemic" in many countries.
The most persistent emotion connected with major depression-and the deadliest-is a deep sense of hopelessness. Professor John E. Mack writes of a 14-year-old named Vivienne, who was a victim of major depression. To all outward appearances she was a perfect young lady with caring parents. Yet, in the depths of despair, she hanged herself! Wrote Professor Mack: "Vivienne's inability to foresee that her depression would ever lift, that she had any hope of ultimately obtaining relief  from her pain, is an important element in her decision to kill herself."
Those affected with major depression thus feel as if they will never get better, that there is no tomorrow. Such hopelessness, according to experts, often leads to suicidal behavior.
Suicide, however, is not the answer. Marie, whose life had become a living nightmare, confessed: "The thoughts of suicide definitely came into my mind. But I realized that as long as I didn't kill myself there was always hope." Ending it all indeed solves nothing. Unfortunately, when confronted with despair, many young persons cannot even visualize alternatives or the possibility of a favorable outcome. Marie thus tried to hide her problem by injecting herself with heroin. She said: "I had plenty of self-confidence-until the drug wore off."