Sam was rushed to the hospital emergency after a drug overdose which nearly took his life. Luckily he was saved. When asked why he would take such an extreme step, he told tearfully that he has not only lost his job in the pandemic but also his near and dear ones. He initially tried various methods which went unnoticed by his wife but couldn’t do it for the fear of pain. He took the extreme step finally when the feeling of meaninglessness engulfed him and that made him land up in the emergency room.
The pandemic has led to threefold increase in the cases of depression. People are suffering from depression because of loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, being locked up in their homes and also constant fear of virus. It is important to recognize symptoms of depression and treat it before it spirals int irrevocable damage.
So if you have a feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness, don’t ignore it but rather consult a doctor. If you find depressed mood, loss of interest, change in appetite or weight, insomnia or hypersomnia, inappropriate guilt, recurrent thoughts of death in yourself or in someone close to you, seek help. There are always people around you who are ready to help. Fight it because you are one special person whose void in this world can never be filled.
(Sam is a fictional name used by the writer)
