"Depression is like a black dog that bites me whenever I get the chance." - Churchill
This is the first episode of a series of documentaries, which shows the period of the person's life when his emotional reactions and fluctuations are the greatest - adolescence.
Let’s start with a set of data, which is also mentioned in the documentary: Epidemiology survey shows that depression accounts for 15% of teenagers aged 9 to 18 years old; the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds is suicide, second only to car accidents.
What is the biggest problem among these teenagers? It's because I don't realize that I'm sick, I don't know how to ask for help, and I don't even dare to ask for help. Of course, parents and teachers are not even aware of it, and even add fuel to the fire and make matters worse when they ask for help!
This episode features the "struggles and healing" of two children.
The first one is Ziye. When she was in the first or second grade of junior high school, she realized something was wrong with her and asked her parents for help, but to no avail. Before the start of the third year of junior high school, she vented her anger and destroyed the house. Finally, her parents were willing to accept the fact that their daughter was sick and took her to see a doctor.
The second one is Zhong Hua, who is now in his third year of high school. After she realized something was wrong with her, she cried to her father and told her pain incoherently. A thousand words turned into one sentence - she felt that life was meaningless. After receiving this news, her mother asked her to suspend school. (It’s not that she is hypocritical, but she accepted that her daughter was sick and asked her to stop and recuperate, which undoubtedly saved Zhong Hua’s life)
Parents should have never experienced depression , nor have they ever had a child with depression, but when a child is really wrong, being able to calm down and listen to the child, understand the child, take them to see a doctor, and learn how to get along with a child with depression , this should be the most instinctive reaction of every parent who loves their children.
The first girl, Ye, under the treatment of doctors and the support of her parents, slowly began a journey of self-healing by herself, participating in interactive communities to fight depression, and establishing new social connections outside of family and school. With more social support, she also found the meaning of life by doing what she wanted to do at the moment.
The second girl, Zhong Hua, grew up in a very Chinese family. Her mother was very strict with her. She was the kind of old mother who always hopes that her daughter will be better.
Zhong Hua’s father summed up Zhong Hua’s mother’s behavior: “If Zhong Hua came third in the exam, she would ask who the second and first place were. If Zhong Hua came in first, she would ask how many points the first place in that grade scored”! It's really suffocating. In short, there is no praise or satisfaction for the children. The children must always work hard and make progress.
But after learning that she was ill, the changes in her parents were heartwarming, and the entire family atmosphere changed. Zhong Hua said that "a gentle, healthy, accepting, and equal environment is more conducive to recovery." There is no doubt that her parents gave her such an environment.
Among them, her father’s dialectical understanding of success and happiness , a pair of words that seem to be tied together, is hard to disagree with.
What counts as success? How to be happy? If you have money, does it count as success if you become an official? Will this definitely lead to happiness?
After returning to school, Zhong Hua conducted a social survey on people’s stigma towards mental illness. The results showed that people’s understanding of depression is quite shallow, and there are various misunderstandings and even stigmas.
Of course, I personally think these two girls are great. They are trying their best to get rid of this "black dog" through the efforts of others and themselves, and are still helping others and working hard to change everyone's understanding of depression. I can also feel that their family situations are pretty good. What should I do if their family situations are not that good?
This episode of the documentary gives an idea: the doctor must see to see what is going on, the medicine must be taken, and the dosage must be increased or decreased according to the doctor's advice. As for yourself, try your best to find the meaning of life. The outside world provides understanding, support and companionship to prevent them from harming themselves or committing suicide.
There are many causes of depression, including congenital, genetic or embryonic development variation; acquired surrounding environment, interpersonal relationships, emotions, work, study and other various pressures, which are constantly accumulated.
The string is always stretched and will always break!
