Blue spirits, blue mood, blue outlook. Depression causes mood and physical changes, changes of attitudes towards self and the environment, and changes in thinking. Usually, it initially affects young adults and it can be linked with the suppression of emotions. My friend Alex experienced depression at the age of 19. His story illustrates how the disease really affects an individual.
A good friend of mine, Alex contracted depression at the age of 19. He was an effervescent, happy, carefree student taking architecture studies at the University of Toronto. He made friends easily and there was no indication that he was sad. He went to every class and completed every task with great enthusiasm. However, one day he started to feel unsure of himself. He began wondering for long periods of time on thoughts like what was life all about or whether there was any sense in what he was doing. He finished two semesters and left school for the summer, but these thoughts persisted. He didn't come back for the second year. He locked himself up at his parents".
home and meditated on his thoughts and emotions. He stopped meeting with his friends and he avoided contact with his parents. He started to sleep for long periods of time and his appearance became disheveled. He analyzed his reactions to any event, over and over again. He ruminated on how he was thinking. He questioned whether his thoughts were proper or just plain crazy. He became angrier and more despondent as his conscience couldn't be placated and he became more fearful and confused as his own feelings of anger could find no outlet. Basically, he slowly went mad. Years later, Alex came to recognize that he fell ill because he wasn't happy and because he couldn't reconcile his own feelings of anger. He never noticed how really delightful school was and he never gave himself enough credit. Instead of being satisfied with his work and himself, he analyzed himself needlessly.
