Depression is quite different from just feeling down for a few days. It is a serious medical condition affecting the brain's chemistry.
In depression, the neural circuits responsible for the regulation of moods, thinking, sleep, appetite and behaviour fail to function properly and critical neurotransmitters - chemicals used by nerve cells to communicate - are impaired.
This can alter sleep and appetite, as well as how someone feels, thinks or behaves. It may cause intense emotional pain. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months and even years. However, with appropriate and timely treatment, most people can recover from depression.
Read on to learn more about:How to recognize depression
When life gets tough, it is quite normal to feel anxious or sad, and even to lose sleep and appetite. Normally, as the situation settles down and time passes, these disturbances and feelings should fade.
However, sometimes the inner turmoil lasts for weeks or longer and starts to interfere with work and other activities. In such cases, something beyond passing feelings may be happening.
Someone with depression normally exhibits some of the following signs:
- Unusual irritability or sensitivity
- Feeling unloved or sad
- Feeling pessimistic, hopeless or worthless
- Feeling guilty
- Feeling restless or anxious
- Feeling very tired and sluggish
- Loss of concentration and difficulties making decisions
- Decline in sex drive
- Unusually slow speech
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs
- Sleeping and/or eating more or less than usual
- Persistent headaches, stomach aches or chronic pain
- Self-isolation or unusual dependency on others
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities normally enjoyed and in work-related tasks
What causes depression?
There is no one clear answer as to how depression develops. However, science has provided some valuable clues:
- Although depression may occur in anyone, it appears to run in families.
- Depression sometimes appears when the mental and emotional aspects of one's life are out of balance, such as during or after significant life transitions or stresses, financial worries, or significant life-pattern changes.
- Various factors such as substance abuse, physical overtraining, poor nutrition and eating disorders sometimes contribute.
- Women's hormonal changes, coupled with various social factors, seem to make them more vulnerable.
- Depression sometimes appears along with other serious illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, AIDS, diabetes or cancer.
- Individuals with low self-esteem, who tend to be pessimistic or who are easily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to depression. It is, however, still unclear whether this is simply a psychological predisposition or actually an early stage of the illness.
Treatment
A combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy is often the most effective course of treatment for moderate to severe cases of depression.
Medications can be very helpful for reducing the symptoms while psychotherapy can help one understand the cause, relieve unnecessary suffering and provide tools to deal with similar situations. Constant monitoring by a physician is essential to minimize possible side effects and to adjust treatment as necessary.
How to help yourself feel better…
Although you may feel like giving up, keep in mind that your perception and thinking are distorted by depression. Negative thinking gradually fades as treatment begins to take effect.
In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you feel better:
- Consult your physician.
- Confide in people you trust who are supportive.
- Contact community organizations in your region - some resources are available.
- Stick to the treatment and don't get discouraged if you have bad days; it happens.
- Take one day at a time and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.
- Break large tasks down into small ones. Do what you can and don't feel guilty about what you can't do.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle, including regular moderate exercise and good eating habits.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Try to keep up some social activities such as going to a movie, to a show and participating in other activities.
- Postpone making important decisions until you are back in shape.
Bear in mind that depression is a severe illness, just like heart disease, and not a sign of weakness. Feeling like your old self may take some time, but you're well worth the effort!
Take the time you need to heal and ask for help.
Source : National Institute of Mental Health, American Psychological Association