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One in eight of us have experienced clinical depression at least once in our lives, and absolutely all experience symptoms of mild depression from time to time. How do you know when to sound the alarm? Is it possible to get out of depression if it did happen? And what are the symptoms of depression? Psychotherapists Derek Draper and Cecilia D’Feliz on one of the most common ailments of our century.
Depression slows down thoughts and movements, takes away dreams, turning everything black. Life seems hopeless. You feel immense loneliness, as if you were on a desert island – no one can hear you, much less help.
You are cut off from friends, you do not feel interested in work, you are not happy with hobbies and hobbies, although they may still be present in your life. If you are familiar with this condition, you may have come under the influence of one of the most terrible epidemics of the XNUMXst century.
Here are a few symptoms that will help you recognize depression and distinguish it from depressive experiences – a short-term condition that you can manage on your own, without the help of a specialist.
Apathy and impotence
Lack of energy is one of the symptoms of depression. It is hard for people who have not gone through it to believe that sometimes apathy reaches such proportions that it takes a lot of effort for a person to even just get dressed, brush his teeth and put himself in order. Depression brings with it a decrease in energy levels, severe fatigue.
Negative thoughts
Research by cognitive-behavioral psychologists shows that depression is based on persistent negative beliefs about oneself or relationships with others. They may include feelings of guilt and feelings of worthlessness.
Many talk about unrealistic negative beliefs about themselves, feel guilty or anxious about what happened in the past, and endlessly reflect on their own mistakes and failures.
Sleep and appetite disorders
Depression permeates every area, undermining the foundations of life, so any changes in diet, sleep, and rest can help make a diagnosis.
Drowsiness can be a way to step back from unsatisfying reality
Insomnia or early awakenings is a disturbing, although not the only symptom. Lack of appetite and refusal to eat is often a symbolic expression of giving up on life. Just like excessive sleepiness can sometimes be a way to step back from an unsatisfying reality.
Loss of attention
Being depressed reduces the ability to concentrate. For some people, reading books becomes an impossible task – they instantly lose the thread of what is happening, often being distracted by their negative thoughts. Many also complain that they find it difficult to make even the simplest decisions.
Suicidal thoughts
Мы все время от времени задумываемся о том, какой жизненный исход нас ожидает, и мысли о самоубийстве хотя бы раз посещают каждого. Но если они сопровождаются апатией, нежеланием вставать с кровати и выходить на улицу или вы обдумываете конкретный план действий по уходу из жизни — это серьезный повод, чтобы обратиться за помощью.
No matter how lonely and lost you feel, you are not alone.
If you have two or more of the symptoms listed above, you may need professional help. Depression is quite successfully treatable if it is taken up in time.
Also, no matter how lonely and lost you feel, you are not alone. You have friends, family, acquaintances who are able to support you in difficult times, and something else more valuable – a healthy and strong part of your personality, not affected by depression.
Even if it is very difficult to realize it right now, your task is to remember it and allow it to manifest. The more often it will make itself felt, the sooner it will help you get out of depression.
Personal History
“I lived most of my life with manic-depressive disorder – I suffered from it, but did not know that it was an illness. One day, 11 years ago, there was a crisis. I just started acting in a new theatrical production and immediately got bad reviews from the critics. After three performances, I left the play. Early the next morning, I went to the garage, plugged the door with a duvet, and got into the car. I sat there for two hours. When you physically feel that you can no longer, these are not just words, but reality. I would kill myself if I didn’t have the opportunity to disappear for a while. I didn’t see any other way. When I’m depressed, my self-esteem drops to zero. I hear my inner voice, which inspires me that I am worthless and mediocre. Such periods of self-abasement and numbness happen to me 3-4 times a year and last from a week to 10 days. And yet I often rely on my manic part to give me a taste for life and adventure, and I think the best thing about me is a consequence of and an integral part of my mood swings.