Embrace the storm within, for it is from the darkness that the strongest light emerges.
This website provides general psychological ideas on dealing with depression. Please consult your psychologist for your specific case.
Overview
In this page we will deal with the following topics.
What is Depression?
Which kind of people are more prone to depression?
Why is it such a big problem in today's world?
Feeling Hopeless
Imagine when you last time saw a movie and got completely engrossed in it. That is because the movie makers created a tiny fragment for you to see and your imagination filled rest of the details. Shown below is the ship sinking scene from Titanic; we all know it.
Yes, Titanic did sink, but in 1912, not in 1997 or, afterwards, when you saw the movie. Until you saw the movie you did not spare a thought about the unfortunate fate of people from the Titanic tragedy of 1912. You started feeling all emotions only when you watched the movie. That is what is the power of movies; they take you inside itself and make you feel part of it.
Now, shown below is how Titanic movie makers shot the ship sinking scene. Now after seeing this image you may not get so emotional about it.
The next few lines may not apply to everyone, but in most cases, they hold true.
The same happens with you and your emotions when you're depressed. Life has engulfed you in its drama, showing you only a tiny part of sorrow, while your overthinking mind magnifies it into a mountain. Now, you’re crushed under its weight.
Life is like a movie—much of what you see is an illusion. When you mistake those illusions for truth, sadness deepens. This is why people who don’t overthink rarely fall into depression.
Believe me, life is far more beautiful than what depression shows you. If you wear black sunglasses, everything appears dark. You must learn to remove them and embrace a brighter perspective. Like many other illnesses, depression is entirely curable.
If you still don’t understand how depression pulls you into this spiral, follow IFLC to learn more.
Depression happens to people who think a lot. Many people go about their lives like headless chickens; these people never encounter depression. Its the people who try hard to make meaning out of the world; who try to hang everything in this world hang together; people who try to build a mental model of the world and try to fit themselves into it. When you find the world constantly changing and not aligning with your mental model you come across things like: relationship breakup, getting deceived, loneliness, body-image problems, abuse, financial stress, encountering loss of loved one etc. These situations happen to every one; even to those headless people; but its only the thinkers who get trapped under depression.
We need to appreciate that life goes up and down like the spokes of a wheel; time changes. If its bad time now then good time will be around soon. And if its good time now then get yourself ready for troubles.
A better strategy to get out of depression is to accept the challenge you have in life; and try to focus your mind on something more interesting. Allowing your mind to sit in the depression quagmire is going to drown you. Its only you who has to make slow movements and try get out of this state of mind.
Time heals all pains.
Eventually in life everything is boring; its we who needs to make our life interesting, by entangling it in petty activities, hobbies etc. This is what all the non-depressed people do and which is what keeps them chirpy and happy.
Depression has become a significant issue in today's world due to a complex interplay of societal, technological, and personal factors. The relentless pace of modern life, fueled by constant connectivity and the pressure to perform, leaves little room for rest and introspection. Social media amplifies feelings of inadequacy as curated images of success and happiness dominate online spaces, creating unrealistic comparisons. Additionally, urbanization and changing social structures have weakened traditional support systems like close-knit communities and extended families, increasing feelings of isolation. Economic stressors, such as job insecurity and rising costs of living, further compound mental health challenges. On a personal level, many people struggle with emotional regulation in the face of life's unpredictability, often resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Moreover, stigma around mental illness discourages many from seeking help, while systemic issues, such as insufficient mental health resources, delay or prevent treatment. Advances in neuroscience suggest that while some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to depression, environmental triggers often play a decisive role. Together, these factors create a perfect storm that makes depression pervasive in the modern world. Recognizing and addressing these root causes is vital to reversing this trend.
Watch this three shell game fraudsters setup on streets to fleece money off people. They ask you to bet on where the ball is placed under a shell and you are asked to bet. You bet on it and you loose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pHE0PRyKfk This game is designed to make you lose.
This is exactly the game life is playing with you. It’s fooling you, and the more you try to understand it, the more you’ll lose. When you grow tired of losing—losing hope, losing confidence in people, the system, the world—you start feeling hopeless and lonely.
But life is more like a train full of passengers: hustle, bustle, noise, and movement, everyone traveling toward their destination. Sooner or later, each journey ends. The movements are random; if you try to predict or strategize, it won’t work easily. Life operates the same way.
You must decide your goal and stay aware of your surroundings, but don’t let them overwhelm you. Everything changes—life is like wheel spokes, rising (good times) and falling (bad times) repeatedly. With a solid value system, you’ll navigate these shifts effortlessly.
Those who feel hopeless are like gamblers losing at the shell game, trapped by life’s illusions. Once you realize life tricks you, you’ll adapt. Stay alert, ignore the drama, and focus on your mission. This is why purposeful people rarely feel hopeless—their minds are too occupied to dwell on chaos.
In the end, everything zeros out. A century from now, no one will remember or care about you. Whether you’re hopeless or hopeful changes nothing—except that sadness today burdens you with regrets later. Ask yourself: Why waste time on despair? For whom? For what? This feeling only robs you of dreams, hopes, and a brighter future.
Truthfully, no one cares for you as much as you do. So, be selfish. Put yourself first. Tell yourself: "To hell with the world! Today, I’ll enjoy, work hard, play hard, and make the best of every moment—whether working, laughing, or serving." Repeat this silently (or aloud if alone) five times daily for 10 days. You’ll feel renewed.
Of course, there are more strategies, but that’s a topic for another day.