We all know that depression is a painful experience.Many people share their struggles with depression online, receiving encouragement and support from fellow netizens. This shows widespread concern for depression, a condition affecting numerous individuals. Most people today are susceptible to developing depression. Do you know the stages one typically experiences when dealing with depression?
The causes of depression are diverse, broadly categorized into two types: subjective and objective.Subjective factors stem from endocrine imbalances in the brain; objective factors primarily originate from family, life circumstances, and society. Examples include issues within the family of origin, traumatic events, heartbreak, loss of loved ones, or psychological and physical abuse suffered during childhood or adolescence, all of which can trigger depression.
Stage One: Neglecting Feelings
Humans are social creatures who thrive on others' attention and mutual support for sustained well-being. When deprived of recognition or when one realizes they're sinking into despondency while others disregard their feelings, some develop psychological detachment and distorted cognition. Over time, this manifests as reticence, gloominess, or irritability.
But most people choose to pretend. When emotions surge, they suppress them, feigning calm and indifference. You might think suppressing them solves the problem, but the emotions remain—they just run in the background, temporarily hidden from view.
The correct approach at this point is:
Start prioritizing your own feelings and set boundaries with those around you. If they still refuse to acknowledge your emotions, leave that environment and seek a healthier one.
If that's not feasible, find someone willing to listen. Truly, just one person who sees your emotions is enough.
If neither is feasible, grit your teeth and endure. Each time emotions surge, don't suppress them—find your own way to resolve them. Quietly build your capabilities and create opportunities to leave.
Stage Two: Minor Triggers Ignite Major Emotions
Even the smallest things cause you intense pain. You fear others will see you as unreasonable—making a mountain out of a molehill.You become even more terrified, desperately forcing yourself to appear normal, striving to suppress that immense negative emotion.
Such individuals often bury depression deep within. Once it builds to a certain point, it erupts explosively—with devastating consequences. Not only does this intensify their psychological burden, but it also alters how leaders, colleagues, and family perceive them, ultimately impacting future quality of life.
Gradually, you find yourself drained of the energy needed to live; slowly, you begin losing friends because they feel you no longer share their joy, lose connection with them, and find no pleasure in spending time together. You also lack the energy to maintain relationships.
The correct approach at this stage is:
Driven by a self-preservation instinct, many people instinctively seek someone to confide in.Find a suitable outlet for venting—like someone willing to listen repeatedly over time, or posting on appropriate websites. Say whatever you need to say, let out your anger, cry if you must, curse if you feel like it...
Stage Three: Emotional Breakdown
You'll start experiencing major emotional outbursts, or what's called an emotional breakdown.Despite your best efforts, you lose control. Outbursts erupt without warning—rage, sobbing, or complete breakdowns—terrifying episodes where you feel utterly powerless. Trivial matters can trigger suicidal thoughts.
These breakdowns cause you to lose friends and struggle at work (or school). You'll feel terrified, desperately trying to hold onto things you can no longer grasp. This creates profound despair—you'll feel utterly helpless, as if life is completely over. Such hopelessness and fear can easily lead to suicidal thoughts.
The correct approach at this stage is:
The proper method is identical to Stage Two and requires immediate action—immediately address that massive cluster of negative emotions. Don't wait until a full-blown breakdown occurs. Once you release that emotional weight, the breakdown dissipates. You can resume normal social interactions, studies, and work.Nothing is over, and life isn't ruined—you just need a brief pause!
Stage Four: Functional Dysregulation
Your social abilities start diminishing in Stage Two and are completely lost by Stage Four. Your capacity for study and work gradually fades too. You'll struggle to focus, experience memory lapses, and feel utterly unmotivated. Essentially, any attempt to study or work triggers physical discomfort throughout your body.
Slowly, you lose interest in your surroundings until all curiosity vanishes. You just want to stay cooped up, unable to move, lacking even the energy to eat. Many people can't endure this stage and take their own lives.
The correct approach at this point is:
The only right choice now is to seek professional treatment at a psychiatric hospital. Only through specialized care can you avoid teetering on the edge of suicide.
Stage Five: Resistance to Everything
Outwardly, you appear perfectly normal—eating happily, smiling cheerfully. Yet internally, you've shut out the world, becoming numb and neurotic. You often lock yourself away, distancing yourself from friends and family. You develop a mysterious fascination with art, music, and films steeped in death.
The correct approach at this stage is:
First, seek professional treatment at a specialized psychiatric hospital to address depression at its pathological root.
Second, with the help of a psychological counselor, learn to accept oneself anew and rebuild cognitive frameworks.
Third, prioritize your physical well-being and trust your emotions, striving for harmony between body, reason, and feelings.
Correcting erroneous fixed mindsets and behavioral patterns, much like releasing negative emotions, requires persistent, long-term effort. During this rebuilding process, you may experience setbacks and occasional relapses into past states. Do not fear these moments—they are not true relapses.
Important Notes:
1. Cognitive distortions cannot initially be resolved through rational thought alone. Heightened sensitivity, suspicion, illogical thinking, and weak willpower accompany physiological brain changes. Addressing these symptoms without medication is futile;
2.After depression sets in, the body undergoes protective changes affecting the brain and bodily organs. For instance, atrophy or disorganization in many brain regions can lead to a lack of willpower and impaired logical reasoning. Insufficient levels of adrenal hormones or neurotransmitters can cause muscle weakness and lethargy. The combined effect of these changes fosters avoidance tendencies, and developing learned helplessness is particularly severe.At this stage, issues like social anxiety and reclusive behavior necessitate medication.
Depression falls into two categories: physiological and psychological. Physiological depression typically stems from serotonin deficiency or endocrine imbalance; psychological depression arises from prolonged low mood triggered by external stressors. Psychological depression requires psychotherapy.If you experience the stages described above, please manage your emotions using appropriate methods. When symptoms become truly severe, medication is the only option.