For many people, depression is a fact of life. They live in a constant state of sadness and hopelessness. Do their family and friends really understand what they are going through? Not always. And they may not even understand what they are really suffering from themselves. They may be suffering untreated and not realizing that there is help out there and that depression is treatable. It’s all about knowing the signs and symptoms of depression so you can recognize it and get help for yourself or a loved one in need.
Symptoms of Depression
There are many symptoms of depression and you or a loved one may have several and not even realize what it all adds up to. You may think this is how everyone feels and the world is just like this and suffering is your fate. But that’s not how it has to be. If you find that you have two or more of these symptoms, talk to your doctor and see if you are suffering from depression, because there is help out there for you.
· Feeling sad, hopeless, and despairing and feeling like it never goes away
· Feeling unworthy or guilty for successes in your life or feeling like you don’t deserve to be happy
· Feeling tired or achy all the time or like you just don’t have any energy to do anything
· Having trouble sleeping or else sleeping too much
· Gaining or losing weight rapidly
· Having a hard time concentrating or focusing and having trouble making decisions, feeling “wishy-washy”
· Feeling edgy and fidgety and having trouble sitting still or relaxing
· Feeling anxious, hostile, fretful, or fearful for no real reason
· Having intense mood swings or feeling extremely sad or angry
· Thinking about death or suicide
Seeking Help
Once you have an idea that you or a loved one may be suffering from depression, it’s time to see a doctor for a clear diagnosis. Your doctor can tell you exactly what kind of depression you are suffering from and recommend a course of treatment. There are several different kinds of depression and they manifest themselves in different ways.
· Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder -- Some women experience depression symptoms during the two weeks around their period.
· Postpartum Depression – new moms sometimes experience depression, which can prevent them from bonding with their new babies and can be very debilitating.
· Seasonal Affective Disorder -- Some people suffer from depression during the winter when there is less sunlight. The treatment for this often includes vitamins and exposure to special lighting that mimics sunlight.
· Anxiety Disorder -- People suffer from feelings of anxiousness and panic attacks.
· Bipolar Disorder – People can experience feelings of intense “ups” followed by intense periods of being “down”. This is often called being “manic depressive” and feels very scary to those who suffer from it.
· Major Depressive Disorder – An all-encompassing depression that is severe and intense, but usually not long-term. Suffers can experience insomnia, major weight loss, withdrawal from regular activities, and even suicidal thoughts.
· Dysthymic Disorder – A chronic depression that lasts over several years that is less severe than Major Depressive Disorder, but lasts longer. Suffers tend to be in a constant low or irritable mood and feel that they are always under stress.
Getting Treatment
Your doctor can prescribe antidepressants or other drug therapies as recommended for your type of depression as well as sessions of talk therapy with a mental health professional. You may find that such treatment is extremely effective in helping you overcome your depression and discover a bright new future. Depending on your depression symptoms, your mental health professional has a wide variety of therapy techniques that can help you discover a lot about yourself and how your brain works. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and how much sunnier the world seems once you treat your depression.
The world may seem gloomy now, but don’t despair. There is help out there and you can get through this! See your doctor as soon as possible and get the treatment you need because depression doesn’t have to run your life. There is a silver lining to the clouds and you will be amazed at how much better you can feel once you see it!
Symptoms of Depression
There are many symptoms of depression and you or a loved one may have several and not even realize what it all adds up to. You may think this is how everyone feels and the world is just like this and suffering is your fate. But that’s not how it has to be. If you find that you have two or more of these symptoms, talk to your doctor and see if you are suffering from depression, because there is help out there for you.
· Feeling sad, hopeless, and despairing and feeling like it never goes away
· Feeling unworthy or guilty for successes in your life or feeling like you don’t deserve to be happy
· Feeling tired or achy all the time or like you just don’t have any energy to do anything
· Having trouble sleeping or else sleeping too much
· Gaining or losing weight rapidly
· Having a hard time concentrating or focusing and having trouble making decisions, feeling “wishy-washy”
· Feeling edgy and fidgety and having trouble sitting still or relaxing
· Feeling anxious, hostile, fretful, or fearful for no real reason
· Having intense mood swings or feeling extremely sad or angry
· Thinking about death or suicide
Seeking Help
Once you have an idea that you or a loved one may be suffering from depression, it’s time to see a doctor for a clear diagnosis. Your doctor can tell you exactly what kind of depression you are suffering from and recommend a course of treatment. There are several different kinds of depression and they manifest themselves in different ways.
· Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder -- Some women experience depression symptoms during the two weeks around their period.
· Postpartum Depression – new moms sometimes experience depression, which can prevent them from bonding with their new babies and can be very debilitating.
· Seasonal Affective Disorder -- Some people suffer from depression during the winter when there is less sunlight. The treatment for this often includes vitamins and exposure to special lighting that mimics sunlight.
· Anxiety Disorder -- People suffer from feelings of anxiousness and panic attacks.
· Bipolar Disorder – People can experience feelings of intense “ups” followed by intense periods of being “down”. This is often called being “manic depressive” and feels very scary to those who suffer from it.
· Major Depressive Disorder – An all-encompassing depression that is severe and intense, but usually not long-term. Suffers can experience insomnia, major weight loss, withdrawal from regular activities, and even suicidal thoughts.
· Dysthymic Disorder – A chronic depression that lasts over several years that is less severe than Major Depressive Disorder, but lasts longer. Suffers tend to be in a constant low or irritable mood and feel that they are always under stress.
Getting Treatment
Your doctor can prescribe antidepressants or other drug therapies as recommended for your type of depression as well as sessions of talk therapy with a mental health professional. You may find that such treatment is extremely effective in helping you overcome your depression and discover a bright new future. Depending on your depression symptoms, your mental health professional has a wide variety of therapy techniques that can help you discover a lot about yourself and how your brain works. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and how much sunnier the world seems once you treat your depression.
The world may seem gloomy now, but don’t despair. There is help out there and you can get through this! See your doctor as soon as possible and get the treatment you need because depression doesn’t have to run your life. There is a silver lining to the clouds and you will be amazed at how much better you can feel once you see it!
