In Freud’s time, people were simply divided into “crazy people and not crazy people”, and they didn’t put labels on people in vain. Depression was a mental illness and had a very narrow definition. In the modern community, when you can read everything on the Internet and even diagnose yourself (though, why, you ask?), many specific concepts from psychiatry have migrated into everyday language and have become household names. The same thing happened with “depression”. Most of us, when we say “I’m depressed,” mean, basically, low mood for a long time, loss of strength, sleep and appetite disturbances, inability to rejoice and enjoy even strong stimuli. This definition of Depression is far from Depression in psychiatric significance, and it is about the first that I would like to say a few words. Firstly, such depression is only for the strong! Yes, yes, exactly, contrary to popular belief! Because depression is taking responsibility for everything that happens to me on myself. And this responsibility can only be endured when I have inner strength and resources. When they are absent, a person simply denies the presence of problems, manically (meaning with strange enthusiasm) clings to those fragments of reality that allow him not to notice the presence of these very problems, or generally tries to escape from reality (alcohol, drugs, gambling addiction, etc. .) Or he simply falls into real depression, which must be treated with drugs. Secondly, depression is a crisis. And a crisis, as we know, is a reason to search for new solutions. And there is one big But! If my depression has dragged on, and I seem to have realized everything, accepted responsibility, but did not begin to act, then I lack support and support. This means that somewhere inside there were doubts: i.e. there is a slippage, if we switch to the language of metaphor for clarity, and the driving force gets stuck and goes out in these doubts. And you need someone from the outside for support - a friend, a loved one, another significant person. For what? And in order to speak out these doubts, to pull them “out of the darkness of the unconscious into the light of day.” This is the only way to structure the tedious, energy-consuming “mental chewing gum.” Man is a social being, because he is designed in such a way that only in the presence of Another can he solve this kind of problem. Another person with similar values ​​to us helps strengthen our productive thoughts and cast aside doubts. The question immediately arises: what should I do if depression is precisely because of a disagreement between my values ​​and the values ​​of people from my inner circle? There is no one to talk to frankly, without fear of being judged or misunderstood, even if you have a family and a bunch of acquaintances. Sometimes we feel very alone in a crowded room. Then you can get this support from a psychologist. And the last thing I wanted to say about long-term or frequently recurring depression: sometimes it is beneficial for us to be in such a state, no matter how paradoxical it sounds. Then we unconsciously use it for certain purposes. Which ones? Question for you - everyone has their own. Try to catch the first thought that just came to your mind. Very serious topics may be hidden there, and then it is better to work them out in a psychologist’s office, or there may be simple answers. For example: “I feel so bad and hard now because .... . But if all this did not exist, then I would do this and that." Sometimes it’s worth grasping this thought and really starting to do it, throwing away the “would”. I repeat, subject to the availability of strength and resources. And if you need support, or just “synchronize watches,” allow yourself to take this step.