One out of four adults is suffering from these symptoms. One out of six adults thinks of hurting themselves or having suicidal thoughts now and then due to their anxious mind and depression. It is not an issue like the plague or covid. It is more dangerous than that. Physical illness is easily recognizable but mental problems kill you from the inside without realizing it. Mental issues like depression and anxiety can immensely affect the lifestyle of an adult. It can affect his work life as well as his personal life. Depression tends to create chaos, a sense of suffocation inside their own body affecting the person, their family, and work life. Sometimes an adult facing this chaos and confusion can not speak to anybody and suffer silently. Because of this conservative society, it has always been taboo to talk or mention freely your viewpoints and mental health problems. Even if you are an adult, speaking of your mental health issues is a weakness & these aren't real problems to focus on. Everyone would suggest taking some rest & everything will be resolved, but it ain't true. If an adult has to consult a psychiatrist, they have to be secretive because this society can label them as 'mad' without any reason. Society and families should understand that depression and anxiety are not some kinds of mental disorders. It is a common issue & can affect anyone without even realizing it. It affects in spite of religion, caste, color, gender, ethnicity, etc.
Can you ever be truly healthy? Yes, physically, you can but mentally, you never know. You can never diagnose your mental illness easily. Adults tend to have no time for themselves & to understand their mental issues. The hectic schedules of their life can make them so busy to focus on themselves. Adults need to make time from their daily schedule to look after themselves. Mental illness like depression is an issue that can affect anyone without a proper warning. Sometimes adults' daily functioning or habits can lead them to depression and anxiety. It can create a feeling of isolation, a sense of loneliness, and a situation where they can never trust anyone which can affect their social life as well. This suffering also includes being easily frustrated, irritated, losing appetite, trouble in sleep and concentrating, stomach ache, headache, feeling worthless, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, stress, eating disorders, and a constant feeling of nothingness as if you are alone in this world.
How do adults become depressed and anxious? The reason for this can be everything & the reason can also be nothing. Everything that surrounds a person, their family, friends, neighbors, and work can affect them mentally. For example, if there is so much pressure on a person because of work which creates an imbalance between work and life can lead a person to depression. An unhealthy marriage can also lead to anxiety attacks, depression, and panic attacks. It doesn't matter if family and friends truly love a person or not. Understanding a person's feelings and loving them are two different things. Even if they do love them, they cannot understand whatever feelings and thoughts going inside a person until and unless they speak up about their problems. For an adult, every day is a struggle. They have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. But finding some time for themselves is very important.
There is no true cause that can lead a person to depression. Generally, some common causes are PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) like sexual, mental, or physical abuse, excessive workload, financial problems, heartbreak, emotionally tired, death in the family or loved ones, heredity, consuming alcohol or drugs, living unhappily or alone for a long time, heartbreaks, etc. There are also some acute health issues like cancer, high blood pressure, thyroid, and strokes that can cause suffering in an adult. Sometimes it can happen because of family and friends, circumstances, or any pressure inherited from past or current happenings. It doesn't mean they are not loved by family or friends, but it can also cause unhappiness, pressure, loneliness, and isolation.
How can an adult escape from this feeling of conflict and suffering? How can they get away from this feeling of nothingness, this frightening feeling of anxiety and depression? How to survive this feeling of sinking into rock bottom without even realizing it? The reason is observation. Observing themselves, their movements, habits, daily routines, diet, sleeping schedules, blood pressure, heart rates, and all the details surrounding themselves. Once you understand the root of the cause, you can work on it. Excessive attachment to someone or something can also be a cause for this suffering. Trying their best in everything without taking a breath because of this rat race of society has always been the main reason for depression in adults. People need to understand, it is okay not to be okay, it is okay to catch a breath now and then, it is okay to go slow, and it is okay to go at your own pace.
Psychotherapy is the best treatment for mental illness in an adult. Once one recognizes any symptoms of depression and anxiety, consulting a psychiatrist is a must. Consulting a psychiatrist is not a weakness, society needs to understand that. Sharing viewpoints and feelings with an expert or counselor is called counseling. Joining a support group and sharing thoughts with those who are suffering the same can be beneficial for both parties. It can also encourage them to overcome their mental illness. Having a healthy diet, quitting smoking and drinking, journaling, art therapy, music therapy, having a creative hobby, trekking, hiking, morning and evening walks, making new friends, etc can help in coping with anxiety, fear, insecurities, and depression.
Adults are the strongest pillar of society and nation. Depression is like rust that eats up these pillars from the inside. Finding the cause of this suffering and treating them with love can help in eradicating this illness.
Call 911 or reach out to any government lifelines if you are suffering or anyone you know suffering mentally. It may be a long journey at first but every journey starts with a step taken with a strong will.