Dr Ewa Woydyłło-Osiatyńska – psychologist, addiction therapist and columnist in conversation about depression
KAsia Mikolajczyk: Mrs Ewa, I'm very glad we can meet and talk. The reason is exceptional – the first issue of the magazine will be released in November Portraits of Emigration, prepared by Polish women living in Ireland. We are counting on your continued cooperation and are extremely pleased that you have accepted our invitation. Today, I would like to address a topic that is important, yet burdened with stereotypes – depression. You often say that one can live *with* depression, but not *in* depression. What does this mean in practice?
Ewa Woydyłło-OsiatyńskaIn everyday language, „depression” is used to describe various states of low mood: sadness, disappointment, anger or anxiety. These are natural emotions, an inherent part of life. What's more, negative experiences usually take up more space than moments of euphoria or ecstasy. The problem begins when this low mood becomes a chronic state, draining energy, the will to act and a sense of purpose. That's when we talk about depression – an illness that requires help.
Do our early experiences – childhood, upbringing – have an impact on our susceptibility to depression?
Immense. In an ideal world, a child is born into a family that desires them, rejoices in their presence, and supports their development. Then childhood can be „carefree.” But life is rarely ideal. Children often appear „by chance,” at a time when parents have other plans – studies, career, dreams of freedom. Then, from the very beginning, a child can feel unwanted, unnecessary, deprived of attention and affection. This feeling accompanies them throughout their lives and becomes the foundation of depressive tendencies.
So depression can have very early origins?
Yes. If a child grows up without a caring adult nearby, they don't learn to cope with emotions, they don't experience the joy of being noticed, they may resort to various „unhealthy” strategies: overeating, withdrawing into themselves, avoiding contact. When adults don't react, the child learns to live in isolation, and their self-esteem is...
To read this article in full, please log in or take advantage of our offer.
