Behind every cloud, there’s a silver lining

Mona

If something is more rampant today than Netflix taking over our bedrooms, it’s the talk about depression! Philanthropy icon Ellen Degeneres, Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, reigning queen of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone, or the star-maker Karan Johar have opened up about their fight with depression in recent times. Listen to these warriors from tricity who have beaten depression and come out of the dark alleys!

Better Tomorrow

Laveena, 22, engineer

I was different from other kids, always imagining stories and isolating myself. When I reached teenage, I used to cry for no reason or laugh out loud. I also started talking to myself. That led to depression. At first my parents thought it was my ambitions that were troubling me. At my lowest ebb, I thought of suicide. Fortunately, today I have all the support — my parents; my psychiatrist and my psychologist.

Brace up: Whenever I feel down, my father always says 'just a little more patience and everything will be alright'... sometimes just words are enough.

Right balance

Kiran Chahal, 34, biker

Labelled an ideal couple, when I was caught unawares that I was one of the umpteenth victims of adultery, something in me snapped. Physical, emotional and financial damage took its toll, as the mammoth task to look after my six-year-old child stared in the face. However, medication has worked. Riding the bike is my passion and that too helped me. 

Brace up: Fighting depression is not a lone battle; you would lose if you don’t have family and friends around.

Peaceful sleep

Pankaj, 48, (name changed)

Looking back, I could find traces of depression in my late adolescence. It was only at 33 that, egged on by a friend, who also fought clinical depression, I saw a doctor. I was given medication and distinctly recall how peaceful I slept that night. Fifteen years now, I have never missed my prescription. 

Brace up: “Lakhs of chemicals are working in the brain; there sure is a chance of something going amiss.”  

Spiritual Dimension 

Jagjit Singh Sandhu, 27, student

Depression runs in my family. My mother had it and her grandmother. I got it in my class 11 or 12. The learning along the road has been that just medication cannot heal. One also needs to work on the spiritual dimension. I follow Art of Living and Osho, and hope for a brighter day.

Brace up: “Don’t rely on medication alone. Figure out a scientific-spiritual approach that works the best for you.” 

Awareness needed

Shubham Gupta, 25

I was in standard ninth when I realised I liked boys, not girls. Gripped in anxiety over my future, I switched off to life completely. It is medication that brought me back on track. In my psychiatrist, I found a soothing balm.

Brace up: “Just because your orientation is different, you are no less.”