I don’t believe anyone to be depressed. I don’t believe anyone to be confined by a label invented by men because all labels are about functionality. Functionality in regards to survival first and then convenience, as in how well a person meets the desires of others. Just because a person doesn’t want to do what I want, I’m not going to sit here and call them depressed, weak, stupid, or sick. Then I get the argument that if someone is sick they should see a doctor, and the same goes for a person sick in the mind. An organ in your body that involuntarily hurts is different than a person who refuses to nod their head, and at us freaking out because we can’t control them we immediately call them “depressed” and want to alter the chemicals in their brain to make them functional to our standards of survival. We are not patient people, we are not selfless, we don’t like to “be taken advantage of” so we like to see people toiling and working like we do. I’m that way myself, we point the finger and call others “lazy” unless we see them suffering and struggling like us to make their money. We see someone who doesn’t want to get out of bed, we get frustrated because we can’t stand it. We want everyone to function as we do, we want to hear, see, and feel what brings us a diversion; what makes us feel like we’re not the only ones striving to stay afloat. I mean are our thoughts “sick” because we are okay with destroying life in plants and animals to fuel our own biased survival? Are our thoughts “sick” because we deem if the highest authority says so then we are not to question anything on the basis of fear of the greatest power? Are our thoughts “sick” because we don’t mind making a profit over the laborers who actually do the hard work of materializing the drawings of engineers and architects, and yet we don’t mind them making less money than us? Yes if an organ or a part of your body involuntarily hurts you go to a doctor to alleviate the pain. But the thoughts of a person are their own thoughts, unless the person becomes harmful labeling them as “depressed” only further alienates them into feeling like there is something “wrong” with them, a feeling of inadequacy. Why not see the intelligence in their thoughts? Why not see that being on this earth without having a choice and suddenly having to adapt by force to survive is indeed a feat that requires compassion and patience from others? Compassion and patience that we don’t have because we too are pressured by time and numbers, and we get tired. Labeled by our functionality, this is a true fact. There are people who know how to ACT the part but never reveal their true thoughts and their true selves in fear of repercussions. “I understand how you feel, I have felt that way many times. Time and experience will make you immune to criticism, numb to unappreciation and you will begin to live to know yourself better, to show kindness and compassion to those very same people that feel as you do. You are smart to see through facades and illusions illustrated as a means to profit. There is nothing wrong with you, in fact, it is you that can make a difference. The difference you want to see in the world starts with you attempting it. You are smart, capable, and efficient. You will be the difference you want to see in this world through example!” How different it would affect our psyche if we were spoken in this way instead of “sent to be fixed” the moment we refuse to move to the strings placed upon us by those in our surroundings.
I agree that accepting the label of being "depressed" does carry a certain weight, and it can take you over.
But depression is a real thing. People do become depressed. But the answer is never easy, and controlling thoughts and building a healthy life for yourself is not easy. Just as overcoming physical illness (which depression can do, anyway) is not easy.
I appreciate what you're trying to say, but trying to tell people they're not depressed, or that depression doesn't exist, I think, is a bit... offensive?
It sucks to admit you're depressed. And it's a hole in itself. But it is real, and there are ways to climb out.
