Bonafide Urban Chick

Depression is probably THE MOST POPULAR psychological condition known these days. Infact, it is one of the best known alibis for lethargy and an absence from sticking to social norms. It is also a well-known "reason" for weight-gain, alcoholism and excessive smoking!

However, the fact remains that in the current social paradign, depression maybe caused initially by circumstances, but maintained further on by oneself. Here, I come to my concept of "Self-Induced Depression":

Yes, sounds harsh! Many may say that "how can you say that? You are saying the I am the reason why I am depressed?" Yes, that is exactly what I am saying!

It is very simple, now that depression is such a well-known, well-read about and much written about condition, shouldn't it be possible for people recognise it, acknoledge it and get over it? Yes, easier said than done! Which is exactly the reason why I say that more often than not, it is maintained by oneself!

How does it work?
Depression is a condition where in an individual is overwhelmed by the situations and circumstances and stops paying attention to their own well-being, gets chronically upset and is in a constant state of anxiety. Now, most of the times, people stay depressed for a while and then slowly start to move on. Along the process, other situations and circumstances distract them out of their depressed state.

Self induced cases of depression are where in an individual keeps thinking about the situation that depresses them. They keep going back to the same conversations, thoughts and discussions that maintain their state of depression! They find it convenient to be depressed, because it is an easy alibi for simply gliding along, rather than taking control.

How can this condition be solved?
People siffering from self-induced depression will mostly reject ideas that will make them happy and get them out of their depressed state.

The only way in which this condition can be solved is by constantly shaking the individual out of the depressive mood. They need to be distracted whenever they regress into thoughts and conversations that bring them back to states of depression! They will need to be made to laugh, joke around, and even openly express their anger to get it out of their system.

While the concept of Self-Induced Depression is still very much in the fetal stage, I aim at researching more about it, and hopefully helping people deal with it!

In a time when psychological situations (I choose not to call them problems) can be well understood and defined, I have come to find one particular condition quite common. In spite of the fact that technology is at its peak, nothing is impossible for mankind any more, the concept of Mentality Retardation is becoming glaringly common. It is not a condition a person is born with, it is not caused due to physical damage to the body.



What is Mentality Retardation?
Mentality Retardation can simply be explained as a condition that causes a person to think regressively all the time. They will always compare "what is" to "what was". They do not do this for feeling better about themselves (which could be popular belief). They do this to continue telling themselves that "the time is gone". They choose to believe that "what was" is the only way thing "should" be.

Types Of Mentality Retardation
Mentality Retardation, like any other retardation is three types.

1. Zero Mentality Retardation: This type is for those who choose to be in the time which they physically live in. For example, in the year 2012, their thoughts with regress back only till 2011. Beyond that will be considered as time gone by. They will look back at it as nostalgia, to learn from mistakes and for light conversations. This type is not unhealthy and commonly found.
Treatment
Not needed.

2. Mild Mentality Retardation: This type is for those who choose to regress back to a limited period of time, and for limited reasons. For example, in the year 2012, their thoughts will go back to any time that brings back good memories. These people prefer to live in past glories. Their development will stunt due to this, and depression and frustration can be caused as well.
Treatment
This type is a little unhealthy. But with regular motivation and counselling, it can be cured quite easily.

3. Major Mentality Retardation: This is a very dangerous type. It is quite common as well. In this type, the person chooses to regress back in any time that is opposing the current time in a specific field. For example, in 2012, in the case of pollution, they will regress back to 1987, in the case of corruption, they will regress back to 1947 etc. A person suffering from major mentality retardation doesn't necessarily regress back to their own memories, but to anything they may have read, heard about or seen in movies. They always believe that the other is better than what they have. This type can cause major mood swings, relationship problems, depression and a general inefficiency in endeavors. They will mostly choose to look the other way from happiness.
Treatment
Treating this kind of a mentality retardation can be quite difficult. The person has strong psychological defenses and denials. More so, the slightest argument in favor of the retardation, in any way will regress the treatment further. The only way to treat this condition is to take the person out of their comfort zone, expose them to a world that is either mild mentality retardation driven or zero mentality retardation driven and then have them interact with people in a fairly controlled environment.

While not much research has been done on the subject, the cause for mentality retardation can be assumed to be a serious blow to the person's EQ (emotional quotient). Mild and major mentality retardation could be caused due to a person either having the need to regress in order to feel good (mild mentality retardation), or in order to scratch the itch about having something to complain and feel bad about (major mentality retardation).

Negative Mentality Retardation is also a type. This is the kind that has the person think and look ahead of their time. While most people "suffering" from this condition are seldom valued in their time, the contributions they make to humanity, make a big difference.

While much research has not been done on the subject, (I am fairly certain that I am the first to think about it, or at least the first to put it clearly in words), the research will continue.

Hopefully, we will all get to live in a world of negative and zero mentality retardation. Where people believe in moving ahead, only looking back at good memories momentarily!