Depression is a term that we are all kind of familiar with, and we probably hear about it a lot.
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There are more than three million cases of Depression per year in the United States. This mental health disorder that is related to mood is so common that we always forget how serious and severe it can be. So, why don’t we learn more about it today?
Depression affects how we think, feel, and perform daily activities. During our daily life, work, study, sleep, eat, and many other regular activities may be changed easily by Depression. You may think, since sadness affects these daily activities as well, what is the difference between regular mood change and depression?
To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. A patient may experience persistent sadness, anxiety, and the “empty” mood. Additionally, feeling hopeless and irritable is common as well. The basic difference between regular sadness and Depression, the mental health disorder is that sadness is temporary. Once you stop thinking about the things that cause you to be anxious or scared, you may feel satisfied or happy again. However, when you are suffering from depression, the sadness isn’t temporary. You may lose interest in your hobbies, feel restless, have difficulties concentrating and sleeping, and you may even think about committing suicide. Some other common symptoms of Depression are listed below:
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Appetite and/or weight changes
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
The symptoms mentioned above don’t necessarily apply to everyone. Depending on the severity or stage of illness, some people may only experience a few symptoms, while others may suffer from a lot more of them. These symptoms along with persistent sadness or low mood may imply a high possibility of having Depression. However, to diagnose depression, talking to a doctor and keeping calm are always important.
There are five forms of depression, which are all slightly different to each other, and may be caused by different factors. These forms of depression include Persistent depressive disorder, Postpartum depression, Psychotic depression, Seasonal affective disorder, and Bipolar disorder.
Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, refers to a sad or depressed mood that lasts for more than two years. People who suffer from Persistent depressive disorder may experience periods or seasons of major symptoms, and undergo the depressed mood for up to two years.
Postpartum depression usually affects women after giving birth to babies. Women with Postpartum depression feel depressed during pregnancy or after delivery, and the feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, or fear may cause them to find it difficult to take care for the babies or themselves.
Psychotic depression, a form of depression in which depression is combined with another mental health disorder, or any form of psychosis. The symptoms of psychotic depression include the feelings of guilt, poverty, or illness, which causes depression.
Seasonal affective disorder, where the symptoms of depression occur at the beginning of winter, and are gone during spring or summer. The decreased natural sunlight of winter is a main factor of this form of depression, and the symptoms include social withdrawal, increased sleep, weight gain, etc..
Bipolar disorder, a disorder that is different from depression. However, Bipolar depression is included in this list because people who suffer from bipolar disorder also have low moods that are similar to the symptoms of depression.
There are some other types or forms of depressive disorders that are not added to this list, but what we can learn about is that all the forms of depression listed above have a “depressive theme”, and on a long-term perspective, may cause many problems.
Although depression brings sadness and even itself is a sad word, it can be treated. In fact, the earlier the treatment begins, the more effective it is. Depression can be treated with medications, psychotherapy, or the combination of the two. However, besides these treatments, some common activities that can be easily performed may help as well - trying to be active, setting realistic goals, not isolating yourself, spending time with family and friends, etc., may help a lot. Whatever happens, believing that you are not walking alone, and willing to be vulnerable in front of close people are usually important.
No one is alone on this journey, and encouragement, supportiveness, as well as happiness, will belong to everyone one day.
Written by: Benetta Wang
Source:
“NIMH » Depression.” NIMH, 7 Nov. 2020, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.
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