Some reasons can be related to long ago abuse and injury while others many be related to current stressful situations such as financial issues and even other reasons for depression can be related to either illegal drug use or as a result of side effects of certain prescription drugs.



There are many who believe that people choose to be depressed and it is the homeless or mentally ill who suffer, not the "normal everyday" folks. But nothing could be further from the truth. Take a look at the example below to see just how quickly depression can take hold on a previously stable soul.

A loving couple of adults in the early years of marriage have two young children. Because they made the decision that the wife would be a full time mom, she left her office job and returned home to raise their family.

The dad works at one of the factories in town and even though he doesn't make a lot of money he makes enough to keep them comfortable and happy.

One day after work, he arrives at home feeling a little sad since he learned at work that day that the company is struggling financially and that lay offs are eminent. His generally supportive wife has had a tough day with a sick child and a broken washing machine and is less than supportive when he talks with her.

She is only concerned that they can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

Another week goes by and things remain tense and then it happens. At the end of the day on Friday, he is handed a pink slip. His job is gone and there is no severance package. The company may collapse all together leaving everyone out of work.

He trudges home and explains the situation to his wife who responds with anger and fear. She simply wants him to find work and to assure her that as a family they are going to be ok.

He searches for a job, just like all the others who are looking, but he has no luck. His previously loving and supportive wife is getting more scared by the day as they are quickly draining all of their savings. They both are yelling at each other, the kids are crying and both go to be furious at each other and the world around them.

The bills are mounting, drinking to relieve the fear and pressure seems reasonable. Sleeping instead of hunting for a job feels better and safer. His days pass and the routine is the same, look for a job, get turned down, come home, fight with his wife, drink to dull the pain and go to be to sleep it off.

Despair turns into desperation, the fighting continues. The job market is flat.

He is drinking more heavily and cannot see his way past the depression that has engulfed him and ruined his previously happy life. His wife takes the children and returns home to her mother. She asks for a divorce and the cycle of depression that has overtaken her husband now threatens to drown him completely.

The depth of the depression he is battling is winning out and now he rarely leaves the house. He has lost everything he ever held dear. Now he only leaves his bed and his home to purchase a meager supply of food and more alcohol. He has withdrawn from the world and without medical care, the depression he is fighting will ultimately control his life.

Sounds silly? Sounds like that it could never happen to you? Don't be so sure. One little change in the life you enjoy can lead to financial pressure, fighting with your partner, an absence of emotional support and a deteriorating self esteem which can all ultimately take you down the path of a cycle of depression that requires long term extensive medical treatment.

Depression occurs for many reasons and it attacks a variety of ages, but the good news is that you do not have to live with it, there is hope for you.