Depression Meaning
Depression Definition & Usage
A state of low mood and aversion to activity, often accompanied by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of energy.
Examples
- "She has been struggling with depression for months and finds it hard to get out of bed."
- "The death of his childhood friend plunged him into a deep depression that lasted for years."
- "During the winter, many people experience a form of depression due to the lack of sunlight."
- "Depression can be triggered by major life changes like losing a job or ending a relationship."
- "It's important to seek help if you feel like your depression is overwhelming your daily life."
A lower area of land, especially one that is lower than the surrounding terrain, often forming a hollow or sunken region.
Examples
- "The valley is a natural depression that collects rainwater and often floods after storms."
- "Farmers built their homes near depressions in the land to capture the water for irrigation."
- "The depression in the soil was created by years of erosion from wind and rain."
- "They discovered an ancient settlement located in a depression surrounded by mountains."
- "The region’s depression formed after centuries of volcanic activity."
A sustained period of economic downturn characterized by high unemployment, low production, and reduced consumer spending.
Examples
- "The country’s economy sank into a deep depression following the stock market crash of 1929."
- "Many families struggled to make ends meet during the Great Depression."
- "Economic depression can lead to widespread poverty and social unrest."
- "After the depression hit, businesses closed down and thousands lost their jobs."
- "Governments often implement stimulus packages to combat the effects of a depression."
Cultural Context
Depression has been a part of human experience for centuries, although modern understandings of the condition have evolved significantly. Psychological depression became widely recognized as a serious mental illness in the 20th century. The term 'depression' has also been historically associated with severe economic downturns, most notably the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The Valley of Shadows
Story
The Valley of Shadows
In the heart of a vast mountain range, there lay a hidden valley known only to a few explorers. The valley, nestled in a deep depression between towering cliffs, had an eerie beauty, its jagged edges contrasting sharply with the lush green vegetation that filled the lower areas. The quietness was unsettling, a silence so complete that it seemed to press down on the senses, making it hard for any visitor to shake the feeling of isolation. It was a place where the boundaries between nature and human emotion blurred. Among the few who ventured into the valley was Jack, a geologist studying the region's unique geological features. He had spent months researching the area, convinced that it held answers to some of the earth’s most mysterious questions. But as he descended into the depression, he couldn't shake off the melancholy that seemed to cling to the air. It was as if the very land carried the weight of forgotten histories. Jack had been struggling with his own depression, a quiet ache that had followed him for years after the loss of a loved one. He found himself drawn to the valley's solitude, hoping it might offer him some relief. But as he ventured deeper into the depression, his mind seemed to sink further into his own thoughts, just as the land below him sank beneath the surrounding peaks. One day, while exploring the low-lying area, Jack stumbled across an ancient settlement, long abandoned. The depression had preserved it, just as it seemed to preserve his own inner turmoil. He felt as though the land itself understood his grief, reflecting it back to him in the deep shadows that stretched across the valley floor. As the weeks passed, Jack began to notice the land’s odd ability to mirror his emotions. When he was at peace, the valley seemed warm and inviting. But when his thoughts turned dark, the shadows lengthened, and the silence deepened. It was then that he realized that the depression, both of the land and of his mind, was not something to escape. It was something to understand, to confront, and perhaps even to find peace within. The valley, like Jack's own heart, had been shaped by forces beyond its control. But in its deep depression, it also held the power to heal, to guide, and to restore.
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