Nostalgia and depression
The relationship between these terms begins with the fact that one can be caused by the other. Anything that makes you yearn for people, places, and things no longer in your life can cause nostalgia and depression. Some of these things include:
- Seeing a familiar face
- Hearing the chorus of an old song
- Smelling something that triggers your memory.
The truth is, these memories are seen in fragments. As time goes by, you are only left with incomplete and disarranged pictures of the past, and at this point, the fragments are slightly inaccurate. Your brain can beautify your memories by adding Snapchat-like filters, making them sweeter and more exciting than the real event.
You should know that it is impossible to remember everything, whether it is a good or bad event. Things you might not recall include:
- Constant argument with your parents
- difficulties in keeping your grades high enough to get a scholarship to a college far from home
- the pain of your first heartbreak
- Your first positive review of a job
You may wonder why remembering good events from the past is a bad thing or why it can lead to depression. When you remember good events from your past, you begin to compare your present situation to your past, which can lead to emotional distress, inadequacy, and anxiety [4].