by P. Bobby

Created on: March 24, 2009

It is with such sadness that we farewell loved ones and at times the emptiness can lead to despair. But somehow, slowly, the void is filled; by others, by doing, by being, and just by the memories. Patently, genuine sadness can occur without the loss of someone, but rather the loss of confidence - of who we are, how we are, and even why we are? Yet when all seems lost, events happen, interactions occur, and our lives spin off in another direction with renewed faith if not optimism. Eating better, exercising more, a gentle smile and change of heart - life begins once more.

Notwithstanding, the demons can return; or perhaps never leave. The bad days outnumber the good and getting up of a morning is painful and slow. Everything is slow, except for everyone around you. This frustrates you more. A resentment and anger builds momentum. You snap at family, friends and colleagues. Gradually losing interest in activities you become introspective, inattentive and even aggressive. Tossing in bed you mull over the previous day and ruminate over the next. Two hours later you fall asleep, and wake frequently feeling little refreshed. Not hungry, you eat sparingly and lose weight, or paradoxically, overeat - mainly junk and gain weight. Disinterested and disarrayed, you are late - for work, for friends for life. When you get to work, it's hard to concentrate. Someone has put a big lead weight on your head, everything is bland and life is colourless. You feel a little better at night and think to yourself it might be better tomorrow, but you can not sleep as you obsess over tomorrow and wonder what it's all about.

The temporary change in affect is part of sadness, but the pervasive and malignant melancholy of major depression is undeniable and, unfortunately, contagious (others depressed gets us feeling down). And in this latter situation, judicious use of antidepressant medication has its deserved place to kick start and help maintain an internal chemical balance that does manifest as normal everyday living. Antidepressants, such as Prozac, are life-saving.

Depression is widespread. Some 10% of the population at one time or another will have, not just sadness, but a major depressive illness. Neurotransmitter levels in and around the brain affect our feelings, thoughts and our perceptions. Serotonin, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine are the main neurotransmitters - jumping between nerve endings in our brain across small chasms to other nerves to stimulate or dampen

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