were hospitalized back then don’t remember much about it. This is not
repression, but a side effect of shock treatment. Many people had their
memories permanently damaged. Today, the use of electrical treatments in
hospitals requires extensive consultation, but some doctors still use milder
forms in their offices. Such treatments have their place, but probably not
with people who can function outside a hospital.
The Blind Men’s Elephant
Depression has as many different aspects as the blind men’s elephant. It
could be several disorders, lumped together in the diagnostic manual
because they respond to the same medications, or it could be a single
entity that manifests itself differently according to the underlying per-
sonality of the individual who has it. Or both.
To those of us trying to help depressed people, the issue of what
depression really ismay be irrelevant. We need to focus on what depres-
sion does, and somehow try to undo it with whatever tools we have.
Depression affects sleep, mood, activity level, the nature of relationships,
and the quality of thought. In most cases, we have to deal with each element
separately. Medication can help, maybe even cure the whole thing for
some lucky people. It can also make the situation worse, with side effects,
or by reinforcing the central belief that people with depression are helpless
in the face of the great, gray beast.
Explosions into Sadness ❧ 169