Dear A,
I have received your letter.It is truly impossible to reach any definitive conclusion regarding the emotional states and complexities involved in your case without meeting the individuals in person. Generally, the exhaustion resulting from an excessive workload—and, specifically, from prolonged engagement in unproductive tasks—can suddenly escalate into severe psychological depression.
Withdrawing from work, engaging in aimless activities, fabricating fantasies, and developing delusional beliefs are manifestations of this condition. Based on the traits you describe regarding your husband, there appears to be a high probability that he is suffering from clinical depression.
Individuals prone to this condition tend to set aside all their routine activities; even if they intend to perform a task, they find themselves unable to do so. They rarely provide direct answers to questions and tend to become dependent on others, yet they simultaneously crave solitude. They are incapable of sustaining any continuous effort; instead, they engage only in sporadic, disjointed leisure activities.
Social media platforms—and features such as “Reels” within them—seem to be particularly suited to this state of mind. Indeed, excessive engagement with media is often, in itself, a manifestation of depression. Detailed discussions with someone suffering from depression are often unproductive. We cannot, through mere words or persuasion, effectively counteract the inertia that has taken hold of him.
To address this, guidance and specific training are required—particularly during the initial stages. Medical intervention may also be necessary to some extent. Therefore, the most appropriate approach at this juncture is to treat his psychological distress as a medical illness. We can then focus on determining the appropriate course of action for this specific ailment.
One option is for him to consult a qualified mental health professional who can assess his current condition and advise on the minimal medical support required to help him recover. Subsequently, he may reach out to the instructors associated with the Yoga or Meditation classes we conduct. In addition to providing structured training, these instructors also offer personalized guidance, which could prove to be beneficial.
Under these circumstances, you should not approach this with great agitation or fury. It would be appropriate to engage with it with the patience—and a certain detachment—one employs when handling a psychological complex.—
Jeyamohan
