Depression: Understanding and Overcoming It
Hello there, you’ve stumbled across me again – the one who’s ‘depressed’. I know it’s a heavy word. The problem is that it is part heavy word, part dirty word, and almost always misapplied. Here’s me and depression: depressed, depressed, depressed, depressed. Have you ever felt like you had fallen into a deep, dark pit? There are days when I feel like this. It’s a dark, lonely place down here; I don’t like being in this pit. Can you climb out of it? No. Not alone. And if you’re really in a pit, others can’t pull you out either. They can stand on the lip of the pit and try to coax you out with words and gestures, but most of the time they fail to reach down to you. The problem is that pits are deep. Humans are heavy. And suicide is precisely when someone feels there is no other option but to escape the pit. The terrible thing is, so much of what people thoughtlessly call depression is nowhere near this bad. Many just have everyday feelings of inadequacy, self-hatred, unhappiness, incivility, regret, hostility, anger, shame, and emotional cost-cutting. Let’s take a step back. Since everyone has moods, everyone can claim to suffer from depression. If you sometimes feel down, could you say you are depressed? You really don’t want me to clarify.
What is Depression?
Then, what is it? Let me try to explain. Depression is not something similar to feeling sad or having a bad day. Depression is a medical illness that changes the way you think, feel and function. Imagine trying to run a marathon with a hundred-pound weight on your shoulders. This would be hard right?
Types of Depression
Depression isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are several types, each with its own flavor of challenges.
Major Depressive Disorder
This is the granddaddy of all: a low mood, inability to find pleasure in much of anything, and a whole raft of other symptoms that are present for weeks or months at a stretch.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Think of it like depression’s annoying younger brother. It’s not as crippling as major depressive disorder – but it persists longer: sometimes for years.
Bipolar Disorder
Have you heard of mood swings? Bipolar is the rollercoaster, a chaotic high (mania) followed by a depressed low.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Has spring finally sprung where you are? If winter is getting you down, you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a subtype of depression occurring at a specific time of year, typically winter.
Postpartum Depression
Mothers, take note. If you’re sad, anxious or exhausted after the birth of your baby – beyond what many new parents feel – you could be suffering from postpartum depression. It’s not the baby blues.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
PMS turned up to 11 – a severe premenstrual syndrome that negatively affects emotional and physical health in the days leading up to menstruation.
Causes of Depression
Why does depression occur? This is, of course, complex. It’s commonly a biological, psychological and social phenomenon.
Biological Factors
Your brain is a pretty complicated organ. Occasionally, the chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) are out of whack and you fall into depression.
Psychological Factors
You can be your own devil – negative thoughts and lack of confidence can lead to depression.
Social Factors
Have you ever felt like you couldn’t handle the pressures that the stressors of life throw at you? Have you ever needed a hand seeing things clearly? Losses, financial woes, relationship problems can all bring on depression.
Symptoms of Depression
Persistent sadness or low mood
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Changes in appetite or weight
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Fatigue or lack of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide
Diagnosing Depression
So, if you think you are depressed, do yourself a favor: get screened. A mental health professional will administer a proper diagnosis after assessing your symptoms. This process might involve the use of questionnaires or interviews.
Treatment Options
The good news is that depression is treatable. Here are some common treatment options:
Psychotherapy
Just talk to a therapist. CBT works for depression. The therapy trains your brain away from negativity.
Medication
Antidepressants are not foolproof; they work only by correcting the biology of your brain. They do not resolve things overnight, but they can be life-saving as long as they are a part of a proper treatment plan.
Lifestyle Changes
Other times, it’s not a lot – minor disturbances that, when brought into the light of other factors, can suddenly become major stressors. Such as waking up at 5am every day when you know your partner will leave for work in the 5.30 taxi. A regular exercise regimen, a healthy diet and adequate sleep hygiene can help minimize symptoms.
Coping Strategies
Depression can be hard to live with, but coping skills help. Identify achievable goals, practice mindfulness, or journal – anything to make living with depression easier.
Support Systems
You don’t have to suffer by yourself. Talk to friends, family, or support groups. It helps to speak with others who have a shared experience.
Preventing Depression
Even if you can’t avoid depression, the good news is that you can reduce your risk. Stay well by getting enough sleep and exercise, eating well, and having positive relationships. And learn how to cope with stress. That’s what prevention is all about: keeping your emotional health in shape before there’s a problem.
Conclusion
Dealing with depression is like riding out a storm. But, remember – no storm lasts forever. The rain will stop. With support and treatment, it can and it will get better. Don’t give up; brighter days lie ahead.
FAQs
What’s the difference between sadness and depression?
It is the difference between being sad, something everyone goes through at some point in their lives, and being depressed – a mental illness that can seriously jeopardise someone’s daily functioning.
Can lifestyle changes really help with depression?
Of course, it will. Just because a lifestyle change won’t cure your depression, it doesn’t mean it can’t have a massive impact on how you feel day to day.
How long does it take for antidepressants to work?
It usually takes some weeks of use before antidepressants start to work: keep taking them while monitoring your response and alerting your doctor if you have any concerns.
Is depression hereditary?
Depression tends to have a hereditary link, but this is more often a combination of genetic, environmental and psychological factors.
Can depression be cured?
And depression is, in fact, very treatable. Most people recover completely; many others learn to successfully manage their depression with long-term treatment.
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