Dark Secrets | Know why you get addicted to depression.

ADDICTED TO DEPRESSION?

Yes! We get addicted to our depression.
Did you ever wonder why traumatic eyes are so bewitching? And you often find your mind consumed by darkness. Misery always sucks you in.

Sometimes you wake up to find yourself in a gloomy mood.

"Why?? I just woke up….. Why am I always so miserable? I guess that's just the way I am. Miserable"

Finding these thoughts relatable?

Here, you'll understand how depression consumes you. Of course, there is a scientific reason behind this claim but there is a social reason too.

Understanding the tricks that our mind plays on us will help you get a different perspective. Maybe it will help you see the light at the end of the dark tunnel.

ADDICTION TO MISERY| DECODED

A Traumatic Memory

Let me take you down to your memory lane. Think about your worst memory. 

Think about that moment. 
Do you remember the sensations? The sorrow, the pain, those tears, fear, or maybe anger. You might have been trembling, or crying. Your mind would have been a mess.

As Eminem correctly described and I quote "His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy."

Jokes apart, what Eminem described is called "STRESS" (Caps to "stress" on the fact. Ha-ha! Okay sorry.)

When we perceive a situation in which we cannot predict or control the outcome, we get stressed.

Now coming to the next question.

What happens when you are stressed?

When we are stressed, we go into "survival mode". 
In this mode, our sympathetic nervous system activates. Our pupils dilate so we can see better; the heart rate and respiratory rate increase so we can run, fight, or hide. 
More glucose is released into the bloodstream to make more energy available to our cells.

Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released providing a rush of energy to either escape or attack. 
Our rational brain shuts off and now we solely rely on our instincts.

                                                                                              

This chemical imbalance in our system MAKES US HIGH.

Our brain records the moment vividly when we are stressed for our survival purposes. This becomes a "traumatic memory".

This happens with all our emotions.

How does this become an ADDICTION?

When we recall our trauma (which our brain remembers very vividly). Take a moment to check it yourself.

Our brain does not differentiate between a real situation and a memory/imagination. (This is the reason why dreams feel so real.)

Hence our body again goes into the survival mode and the same hormones are secreted and we get HIGH again.

We keep doing this repeatedly. We even imagine similar situations so get that occasional high.

Eventually we get Addicted to it.

We get ADDICTED to these chemicals produced by our own bodies.

Para diving, high-speed racing, and various sports also produce similar chemicals. For the same reason cigarettes, alcohol, social media, etc are so addictive. They catalyze the production of certain chemicals in our body, which we like of course, and hence get addicted.

Our emotions do the same thing and we tend to get ADDICTED TO MISERY.

So one more question pops up. Why do we only get addicted to sad emotions and not happiness?

The answer to this question is multi-dimensional. It has got a SOCIAL reason.

I am sure you might have started thinking about so many ways in which society pushed you towards misery. Let's talk about that

How Society Pushes Us Towards Misery?

The answer to this question is so vast that if dinosaurs would have started answering it. We would still not have a complete answer. To keep it short and simple. Here are a few generalized points.

• In this society we are being continuously evaluated.
  Evaluated based on income, talent, beauty, academics, sometimes our place of birth.
  In this evaluation process, one is considered above the other.
  This is unnecessary and such a terrible system. Humans are so multi-dimensional; evaluating them based on any one category of their excellence is criminal.
  
  Just imagine a man sleeping on the streets who is not beautiful, uneducated, wearing torn clothes and has a deformed body. 
  

  And ask, "Is he less human than anyone else?"
  

  
  
  
• You must have heard of the fact that Babies lie. Many times they cry just because they get attention.
  
  Young children (below 7 years of age) are very receptive (they learn fast). Parents usually give special attention to the children when they are 'SAD', 'HURT', or 'SICK'.
  
  Children at times get scolded for being joyful and playing around. This may be because of the concern for their safety or maybe merely because of irritation. It doesn't matter.
  The subconscious mind does not understand the cause of the action, it just registers what it sees.
  Children with such upbringing tend to drift towards sadness once they grow up.
  
  
  Studies proved that children with a rather strict childhood have terrible emotional quotient.

BEAT THE ADDICTION TO MISERY

• First of all you should HAVE THE DESIRE to overcome the addiction to depression, like any other addiction.
  It requires lots of effort, will power, and determination.
  If you love being unhealthy, nobody can help.
  You have to take the first step, that is having a DESIRE TO OVERCOME the addiction.
  
  
  
• We should look at life as a possibility rather than a liability.
  We can change our perspective on how we look at life.
  
  
   Maybe we can look at it as a sport. To excel in any sport we need a lot of effort and dedication. But when we lose, there may be momentary dissatisfaction but we thrive again, we enjoy playing.
  The point is that you can have your own perspective (if it serves the purpose).
  
  
  Being too serious is injurious to mental health.
  
  
  
• Meditation is one of the most effective techniques to control your thoughts and emotions. (Self-tested)
  There are different types of meditation. Sitting down and focusing on the breath is one. Observing your thoughts without passing any judgment is another.
  
  
  One interesting one is to look at anything without focusing on it.  Just stare at nothing. Trust me after some practice this will give miraculous results.
  
  
  There are many different types of interesting meditations.
  These are the best for beginning on the journey.
  
  
  
• Here are some ways which will help you get a hold of yourself when you feel depressed.
  


1.      Breathe.
2.      Take a walk.
3.      Observe your thoughts without judgment.
4.      Take a break.
5.      Look up at the sky or something beautiful.
6.      Listen to music.
7.      Forget who or what you are.
8.      Meditate.
9.      Practice gratitude.

10.  Be brave and trust yourself, you'll make it through.

Always remember who you really are. Never give anybody the privilege to disturb your mental well being. No one can make you angry, sad, anxious, depressed until you let them.

Maybe they can physically harm you, but mentally only when you allow them to.

You, and I are The Blue Misfits. This community believes that the world can be a better place.

Where everyone is loved.

 

I would end by quoting Kahlil Gibran from the poem Sand and Foam,

"Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you."

Signing off- The Blue Note.

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