What is depression?
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.
What are the signs of depression?
1. Prolonged sadness – We all have bad days when we are just in low spirits but depression is an enduring sense of sadness for a period of time. Depressed individuals feel a sense of utter hopelessness and defeat as if life is completely meaningless. This way of thinking is different from regular unhappiness and prevents an individual from functioning and living a normal life.
2. Self-loathing attitude – Many depressed individuals direct their misery towards themselves. One will blame their self for everything that goes wrong or doesn’t meet their expectation. One can become overly extremely self-critical and doubt their capability to achieve anything at all. Such self-loathing leads to dissatisfaction and frustration, often even guilt at underachievement or perceived uselessness. This self-loathing attitude, coupled with low self-esteem can produce dangerous thoughts such as suicide is an escape from one’s own worthlessness.
3. Loss of interest – Depressed individuals find it very difficult to be suitably involved in routine activities at work, home or elsewhere. One cannot concentrate or engage in any task. When they shy away from productive activity they end up dwelling on their unhappiness, creating a vicious cycle. Many times, there is even a loss of libido and sexual activity stops being a priority.
4. Irritability & Isolation – In most instances, depressed individuals lose all their social bearings and are unable to act in a socially appropriate manner. One can be irritable in their interaction with others – no matter who they may be; their family, friend or boss even. This short temperedness and general aversion to social interaction cause those depressed to isolate themselves from others. People with depression prefer being alone for hours at length, conversing with others only when absolutely necessary.
5. Anxiety – Overwhelming fear and/or nervousness. Feelings of restlessness, fatigue, irritability, explosive anger, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tensions
6. Low energy – Fatigue and lack of energy are typically witnessed in depressed individuals. One can feel so defeated that they are incapable of accomplishing even the smallest of tasks. This can affect their professional life tremendously. Lack of energy, concentration, motivation, and responsiveness will hamper the quality of work that gets done.
7. Disturbed sleeping patterns – Depressed individuals may develop insomnia, which adds to fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and low energy levels. People who are depressed sleep excessively or remain in bed for an unhealthy amount of time. Some complain that they are unable to physically get up out of the bed, and are feeling extremely lethargic.
8. Change in appetite – When depressed you can either have a loss of appetite or eat excessively which lead to changes in body weight. These same body changes may occur with someone who is just low in spirit and not depressed. Depression causes more severe changes wherein a minimum of 5% body weight alteration takes place in a week.
9. Reckless behavior – One’s normal behavioral patterns get altered. Even the most cautious individuals may indulge in reckless, unthinking activity. Bad investments, adventurous trips, indiscreet sexual activity, and even substance abuse. This type of behavior impacts their relationship with other people from friends and family to their professional life. Depression poses as a threat to all aspects of one’s life.
10. Suicidal tendencies – Suicide is the result of untreated mental illness. Suicidal thoughts are the most telling and dangerous symptom of depression. People with this mood disorder spend a great amount of time thinking of ways to harm them self. Suicidal individuals are bombarded with horrific thoughts and fascinated with the idea of death.
I think I have depression, am I not normal?
Yes, you are normal and you should never feel ashamed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It is a leading cause of disability but if treated right you can live a normal and happy life. Don’t ever let depression define you, it may be apart of you but it is not all of you.
What do I do now?
Well, first things first you need to head over to a doctor to see what’s going on. Depression is very different from just being sad or having a hard time for a short moment in life. Depression is also different for everyone. Two people who are the same age can have depression but they may experience it in different ways. Don’t google your life away and diagnosis yourself with depression, this will drive you crazy. Go to the doctor and be sure.
Different Types Of Depression:
Major Depression (chronic depression)
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Postpartum Depression
Seasonal Depression
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Atypical Depression
Treatments For Depression:
The mainstay of treatment is usually medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. Increasingly, research suggests these treatments may normalize brain changes associated with depression.
Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy, Behavior Therapy, & Psychotherapy.
Medication: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, and Antipsychotic.