Identifying Text Structure (RI.4.5)

If something bad happens in your life, like divorce, the death of a family member, or loss of a good friend, you could feel depressed. But many times it is not one single difficult event that leads to full‐blown depression, but a series of smaller events that build up over time until a person feels that they can no longer cope.

Everyone feels down sometimes. Sometimes feeling a little depressed is nature’s way of letting you know that you have a problem that needs solving. Here are some things that you can do to feel better. First, if you know what it is that is bothering you, that’s half the battle. Have you had a fight with a friend and feel bad because you know you need to apologize? Did you do poorly on a test because you didn’t study? If you feel badly because of some action that you need to take, then the best way to start to feel better is to take that action. Apologize to your friend; study twice as hard for your next test! Facing these uncomfortable issues, rather than trying to avoid them, is the quickest way to put a spring back in your step.

Depression has not always been as well understood as it is today. In Ancient Greece depression was thought to be due to an imbalance of body fluids. As early as the seventeenth century, though, it was proposed that depression, which was called “melancholy”, could be overcome by a healthy diet, good sleep, music, "meaningful work", and talking about the problem with a friend. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries depression became more of a scientific problem than a philosophical one, and in 1980 it was officially classified as a disease.

It isn’t easy to get over depression, but it can be done. The key is to start small and stay focused. The first thing you need to do is to get others to help you. Turn to family or friends and let them know that you need their support. Next, you need to reprogram yourself to not get stuck in negative thoughts. Some ways to do that are to get involved in something that will focus your attention on something other than yourself and your problems. Spending time with happy people will also help. If you can’t control your negative thoughts, then when you have one, write it down. When you’re in a good mood, read what you have written and ask yourself if it is really true. Chances are, when you’re feeling positive you’ll be able to see that the negative things you tell yourself when you’re feeling depressed are not really true.