Depression
What is Depression?
Depression is a complicated emotional state that isn't always easy to explain at first glance. Often depression is described as a result of someone's difficulty in dealing with stress in their lives. Everyone feels depressed once in a while but a problem could develop when a lack of energy last for days and there are feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy.
One of the worst things about depression is its capacity to swallow up all other feelings, sensations, experiences and emotions. But it is important to know that depression is treatable.
Signs of Depression
Signs of Low Mood
Withdrawal: Loss of interest in activities that once gave him or her pleasure and may participate less in social interactions.
- Negativism: Being skeptical
- Unhappiness: Persistent sadness or frequent crying.
Signs of Lowered Self-Attitude
- Self-disapproving, guilty or self-blaming comments.
- Expressions of hopelessness
Signs of Decreased Vital Sense
- Decreased energy
- Decreased ability to concentrate
- Change in weight or in eating habits
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Change in sexual interest and activity
Attitudes that Feed Depression
- Expecting others to be perfect.
- Expecting one self to be perfect.
- Focusing on the negative instead on the positive.
- Focusing on the past or the future rather than the present.
- Focusing on others at your own expense.
Impact of Depression
A person with depression experiences a change in their usual functioning. For example - the once active person can't get out of bed in the morning or the once affectionate husband/wife loses interest in their partner. The change does not go away. Without treatment an individual's signs and symptoms may stay for months, even years.
There is always light behind the clouds.
– American Proverb
Coping with Depression
There are many things you can do to take control of your depressive feelings.
- Exercise.
- Improve your surroundings.
- Eat a well balanced diet.
- Sleep well.
- Talk to someone about how you feel.
- Do something nice for yourself.
- Get a change of scenery.
- Pamper your feelings.
- Set realistic goals and set up a plan.
- Try some relaxation exercises.
- Increase pleasant activities.
If the depression doesn't go away get help. A suggestion is to get counselling. Modern treatment methods can restore a depressed person to a full, productive life.
How Can You Help the Depressed Person?
Family and friends can do a lot to help someone that is going through depression. Treating the person as normally as possible and keeping him/her busy and active can be useful. Please remember that:
- Depression can seem like an overwhelming feeling.
- Helping doesn't mean fostering, helplessness or taking responsibility for the depressed person's happiness.
- Risk of suicide must always be taken into consideration in cases of depression.
- The sooner the depressed person gets help, the sooner the symptoms can be relieved and the speedier the recovery.
Additional Links on the Topic
Depression and women. Women and clinical depression. What you should know about women and depression. Women, depression and antidepressants. Women and Bipolar Disorder Menopause and mood. Estrogen reduces depression. Psychiatric medications during pregnancy and lactation. Treating depression in pregnant women. Recognizing mood disorders in women Treatment of premenstrual depression. Dimensions of depression in women Recognizing mood disorders in women.
