Depression is a serious medical illness; it's not something that you have made up in your head. It's more than just feeling 'down in the dumps' or 'blue' for a few days. It's feeling 'down' and 'low' and 'hopeless' for weeks at a time feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take strong grip and won't go away, it may be depression.
You loss interest in hobbies and friends as you used to; you're exhausted all the time; and just getting through the day can be overwhelming. When you are depressed, things may feel hopeless, but with help and support you can get better. We all go through ups and downs in our mood. Sadness is a normal reaction to life's struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word 'depression' to explain these kinds of feelings, but clinical depression is much more than just sadness.
Some people describe depression as 'living in a black hole' or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don't feel sad at all - instead, they feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic.
Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.
Common signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook-nothing will ever get better and there's nothing you can do to improve your situation.
Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in or ability to enjoy former hobbies, pastimes, social activities. Change in appetite or weight can be observed. Significant weight loss or weight gain-a change of more than 5 per cent of body weight in a month.
Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially, waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping. Psychomotor agitation or retardation. Feeling fatigued and physically drained. Even small tasks are exhausting or take longer. Self-loathing. strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh criticism of perceived faults and mistakes.
Depression often looks different in men and women, and in young people and older adults. An awareness of these differences helps ensure that the problem is recognised and treated.
Depression in teens: While some depressed teens appear sad, others do not. In fact, irritability - rather than depression - is frequently the predominant symptom in depressed adolescents and teens. A depressed teenager may be hostile, grumpy, or easily lose his or her temper. Unexplained aches and pains are also common symptoms of depression in young people. Depression in older adults: The difficult changes that many older adults face-such as bereavement, loss of independence, and health problems - can lead to depression, especially in those without a strong support system. However, depression is not a normal part of aging.
Moreover, they tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional signs and symptoms of depression, and so the problem often goes unrecognised.
Depression in older adults is associated with poor health, a high mortality rate, and an increased risk of suicide, so diagnosis and treatment are extremely important. Depressed men are less likely than women to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness.
Instead, they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleeplessness and loss of interest in work and hobbies. Other signs and symptoms of depression in men include anger, aggression, violence, reckless behaviour, and substance abuse. Even though depression rates for women are twice as high as those in men, men are a higher suicide risk, especially older men.
While rates of depression among women are twice as high as they are in men. This is due in part to hormonal factors, particularly when it comes to pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression. Women are more likely than men to experience pronounced feelings of guilt, sleep excessively, overeat, and gain weight. Women are also more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder. Major depression, or clinical depression, is characterised by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms are constant, ranging from moderate to severe.
Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months. Some people experience just a single depressive episode in their lifetime, but more commonly, major depression is a recurring disorder. However, there are many things you can do to support your mood and reduce the risk of recurrence. Atypical depression is a common subtype of major depression. It features a specific symptom pattern, including a temporary mood lift in response to positive events.
You may feel better after receiving good news or while out with friends. However, this boost in mood is fleeting. Other symptoms of atypical depression include weight gain, increased appetite, sleeping excessively, a heavy feeling in the arms and legs, and sensitivity to rejection. Atypical depression responds better to some therapies and medications than others, so identifying this subtype can be particularly helpful. Dysthmia is a type of chronic 'low-grade' depression. More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have brief periods of normal mood. The symptoms of dysthymia are not as strong as the symptoms of major depression, but they last a long time (at least two years).
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): There's a reason why so many movies and books portray rainy days and stormy weather as gloomy. Some people get depressed in the fall or winter, when overcast days are frequent and sunlight is limited. This type of depression is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder is more common in northern climates and in younger people. Like depression, seasonal affective disorder is treatable. Some illnesses have a specific medical cause, making treatment straightforward. If you have diabetes, you take insulin. If you have appendicitis, you have surgery. But depression is more complicated.
Depression is not just the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, and is not simply cured with medication. Experts believe that depression is caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Major causes and risk factors for depression are loneliness, lack of social support, recent stressful life experiences, family history of depression, marital or relationship problems and financial strain.
In addition, early childhood trauma or abuse, alcohol or drug abuse, unemployment or underemployment and health problems or chronic pain. If even the thought of tackling your depression seems overwhelming, don't panic. Feeling helpless and hopeless is a symptom of depression-not the reality of your situation. It does not mean that you're weak or you can't change! The key to depression recovery is to start small and ask for help. Let your family and friends know what you are going through and how they can support you.
Lifestyle changes are not always easy to make, but they can have a big impact on depression. Take a good look at your own lifestyle. What changes could you make to support depression recovery? Self-help strategies that can be very effective include:
Cultivating supportive relationships getting regular exercise and sleep, eating a healthy, mood-boosting diet, managing stress practising relaxation techniques, challenging negative thought patterns and seek professional help.