Depression: Trying to Understand It and Learning How to Come Out of It

By Afrida Julfi

Depression is not something people notice easily. Many times, the person who is suffering does not show it on their face.

They may attend class, meet friends, do their work, and still feel completely lost inside. It comes quietly. Sometimes without reason, sometimes after a long list of worries. Whatever the cause, the feeling is real.

It starts slowly for most people. They stop enjoying the things they once liked. Sleep gets disturbed. Food feels tasteless. Even getting ready in the morning feels heavy. A person may sit in a crowd and still feel alone. These changes confuse them, and they don’t know how to explain it to anyone.

The mind gets tired first. Then the body follows.

The first help often comes from talking. Not big advice or long lectures—just talking. A person simply needs someone who will listen without rushing or judging them. Even if the listener doesn’t say much, just sitting beside someone can calm their mind more than we realise.

Counsellors and psychologists help too. They understand this condition better and can guide a person step by step. Some people also need medicine for a while, and that is completely normal. It is not a sign of weakness. The mind also needs treatment, just like the body does.

Small daily things also help. A short morning walk, sunlight on the face, eating regularly, keeping a simple routine, writing down thoughts, listening to calm music, spending a few minutes in silence—these things slowly bring balance back. Not in one day, but slowly.

Families must be gentle. Scolding, comparing, calling someone “lazy,” or saying “others have bigger problems” will only hurt them more. A kind tone, a soft word, and patience can do more than any big advice.

Recovery takes time. Some days will feel better, some days will feel worse. That is normal. It doesn’t mean the person is going backwards. It simply means the mind is healing at its own pace.

People do come out of depression. They laugh again, enjoy again, and feel like themselves again. The important thing is not to suffer in silence. Help exists, and healing is possible.

Depression is not the end of anything. It is a phase of life where the person needs support, understanding, and time. With care, they can rise again—slowly, gently, and fully.