Many people in our country, or I should say in this world, have been shocked and devastated by recent celebrity suicides. Many wonder how can someone whose life looks so perfect be depressed? Well, people are starting to recognize that anyone, no matter how successful, how rich or how attractive can experience severe depression.
Many of our well-known adages acknowledge the fact that anyone can be vulnerable to depression. We have heard from a young age that “money can’t buy happiness.” Or perhaps your mother or grandmother always told you, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, mom and grandma were probably right all along.
Feeling misunderstood
Many who suffer from severe depression feel significantly misunderstood. They think that no one can understand the depth of their pain as they “don’t look sick.” Perhaps this feature of feeling misunderstood is actually heightened in people with success and fame. When everyone looks up to you and gives you TV ratings and buys your products, it often means it is harder to find people who can empathize with your pain. This causes further isolation which exacerbates their depression.
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