I am a bit depressed. Probably an understatement.

I honestly am most of the time. Not as severely as others, probably, but that really should not matter. One can hardly compare in these matters.

What one can compare is, probably, the strategies of dealing with it. I often hear that one should work through it, and that just sitting down, doing your work and dealing with it helps. Or take a vacation and then come back, functioning.

But for myself, I don’t believe in functioning. I believe that the heart of every depression and anxiety is a core pattern that has to be identified and understood. And even that might not be the end. And that often needs time and thought and another person to talk to.

So that is my idea, I would guess. The problem needs logic (in the sense of analyzing the issue) and kindness (in the sense that the person needs time and warmth).

In the first aspect, it is not unlike a scientific problem. To get to the root of the issue requires making a hypothesis, testing it, discarding it. Going back to the logic of what is there that affects you, and slowly working yourself to the core issue of the problem. Just like with scientific problems, or any other (Hello Dr. House) you might have a process that helps you go through that. Whether that is writing it down, or needing another person to reflect. Just like any problem, that is often hard. Compounded here with additionally the issue that you might be in pain when doing it.

My personal go to is, to overstretch a metaphor, to find a transcendental point. To step outside from everything, and one by one add assumptions again until what pains me is found. As opposed to the process of restriction, where one closes out influences (i.e; look at simple examples first) I look at everything and try to find out the things making it tick. Either way, that process takes time.

And as with every other problem, take whatever route you need.

But I believe a core issue is there somewhere.

The secondary point is often more difficult. One needs a safety net, some time and patience. One needs a warm home while working through that issue, and that is not always the easiest. One needs the resources one needs. Try to find that place for yourself, if you are in need. And, more importantly, if you are in a position where you can give the resources, give them.

That is the somewhat asinine point of this stupid text: it feels like putting the responsibility on the person in need. It is not, of course. But the person in need is often the first person to read this.

And then, if you find that issue? Then one can try to deal with it. Sometimes in can be resolved. Sometimes it cannot. But one can live with it. However, just like you probably have that mole checked out, it is better to know the issue than to ignore it. After all, it is better to actually find out if that leg can be saved first before you write it off. And after that, you can start to cope.

Anyway, that’s my way. What’s yours?