Depression is characterized by a lack of desire to do things or an inability to function successfully in the normal affairs of life. There is a depression of mood where it is impossible or difficult to find pleasure out of the usual or normal things in life. When depression leads to thoughts of hopelessness, suicide, or a complete lack of joy in life, then there is a serious requirement to seek treatment!
But depression is a very powerful biological imperative that goes on in humans and animals. There is a reason for this strong biological imperative, and depression might actually be such a strong part of our biology because it is actually good for us!
Good old depression can help us when there is an illness of such sublety that we do not yet feel ill enough to see a doctor or to call in sick. Or the illness can be so complex that no one can find a diagnosis and we mistakenly feel that we should be carrying along as if we were healthy. Depression causes an individual to stay inside, to decrease excess activity, and to shut down some of the physical and stressful challenges of life, when the body is fighting something. Allergies are notorius for relating to depression. Excessive and long term stress kills in many ways. Depression makes us stop and focus on other things.
Of course, it is imperative to see a doctor and to make every effort to determine whether there is illness, be it allergic reactions, bacterial or viral infection, rare genetic and other disorders, cancers, reactions to medications, toxins, the environment, or substance and alcohol abuse.
In this sense, depression can be our best warning signs that something is wrong with our bodies, that we are overwhelmed in the processes of life, or that we are reacting badly to foods, medicines, or other toxins in the environment. Given that there is no other cause, such as seasonal lack of sunlight, traumatic situations, or other emotional disorders, depression can signal that the mind and body are working together to make us rest, while work goes on to fight what is attacking us on cellular, microscopic and subtle chemical levels.
Emotionally, depression, or sadness is often a normal and motivating part of us. When we are sad, we simply acknowledge that we cannot perpetually look on the “bright side” of things. As we suffer through normal sadness, we strive to make life or situations better or we resolve not to repeat problematic or mistake laden behavior. Depression helps to relieve stress, to stop us from taking relationships lightly or engaging in relationships without thought, and generally serves to stop us from doing what it is that we are doing in order to focus in detail on other things in our lives.
In other words, depression serves to make us stop and to reflect on more detailed aspects of our mistakes in order to stop making them. Depression often accompanies major changes in life and makes us go into a sad, but reflective mode, focusing on the sensibility or the risks of major decisions, such as buying property, having more children, moving, or changing jobs.
Some researchers are simply stating that depression is a major biological function and as such, must have some protective or other benefit, such as causing us to get away from deadly long term stressors or to capitulate to agressors who might kill us if we show up to be too sparky after a confrontation. This has been demonstrated in apes and other animal packs, when the loser gives all of the physical and emotional signs of depression and capitulation in order to avoid being killed or run off to survive alone, as a continuing threat to the dominant animal.
Some of the greatest achievements by humans have been made by people who suffered from various forms and severities of depression. Beethoven, Sir Winston Churchill, and Abraham Lincoln are not the worst company, as they suffered from major depressive episodes. It may be that depression causes people, especially while in remission from severe depression, to do as much as they possibly can to achieve excellence or to meet great challenges in life, before the next bout descends.
Some psychologists are beginning to question whether the drug companies are instrumental in the diagnosing embellishment of the disease profile of depression, rather than depression as a natural function, in order to create expanded markets for anti-depressant products.
References and Articles About the Benefits Of Depression
The Daily Mail Reporter, “Feeling Blue? Stop Worrying..Depression Is Good For You, Say Scientists”
BBC News, UK, Magazine, “Is Depression Good For You?”
Psych Central, “10 Good Things About Depression” by Therese J. Borchard
