With the downturn in the economy and the emotional outburst
by a beloved celebrity on social media this past week,
it has become even
more imperative to understand what depression is all about, the causative
factors and how best it can be treated.
Depression is a medical condition that makes you very
unhappy and anxious and often prevents you from living a normal life. It is
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—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or men in
particular may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless.
Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal
sadness because 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 hardly any relief
in sight.
Signs
and symptoms of depression
Feelings
of helplessness and hopelessness as everything seems to be getting worse
Loss of
interest in daily activities or former hobbies.
Significant
weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of bodyweight in a month.
Sleeping
activity reduces drastically (insomnia), especially waking in the early hours of
the morning, or increases resulting to oversleeping (also known as
hypersomnia).
Feeling
agitated, restless, or even violent.
Loss of
energy as your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks would feel exhausting
or take longer to complete.
Strong
feelings of worthlessness or guilt as you harshly criticize yourself for perceived
faults and mistakes.
You take
to substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports
as a means of escape from this ‘prison’.
Unexplained
aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back
pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain
Suicidal
thoughts creep in as you begin to feel that is the permanent solution. The deep
despair and hopelessness that goes along with depression can make suicide feel
like the only way to escape the pain.
Please note that depression varies from person to person,
only the common signs and symptoms are
highlighted above. The more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the
longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with
depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, that's when
it's time to seek help.
Road
to Recovery
Just as the symptoms and causes of depression are different
in different people, so are the ways to feel better. What works for one person
might not work for another, and no one treatment is appropriate in all cases
but it all starts from this step
If you recognize the signs of depression in yourself or a
loved one, take some time to explore the many treatment options. In most cases,
the best approach involves a combination of social support, lifestyle changes,
emotional skills building, and professional help.
1.Social support
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.
The simple act of talking to someone face to face about how you feel
can be an enormous help. The person you talk to doesn’t have to be able to fix
you; he or she just needs to be a good listener.
Having a strong support system will speed your recovery, not
isolation as isolation fuels depression, so reach out to others, even if you
feel like being alone or don’t want to feel like a burden to others. The truth
is that most people will be happy that you chose to confide in them; they’ll be
flattered that you trust them enough to open up. So, let your family and
friends know what you’re going through and how they can support you.
2. Make healthy lifestyle changes like
Cultivating supportive relationships
Getting regular exercise and sleep
Eating healthfully to naturally boost mood
Managing stress
Practicing relaxation techniques
Challenging negative thought patterns
3.Build emotional skills
Building emotional skills can give you the ability to cope
and bounce back from adversity, trauma, and loss. In other words, learning how
to recognize and express your emotions can make you more resilient.
4.Seek professional help when all else fails.
Depression is not a death wish. Please do well to reach out
if you are suffering from depression as help is always available.
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