Contents
- Depression what to do, Symptoms of depression, Signs of depression, Major depression, Depression test, Depression treatment, How to deal with depression on your own, After depression
- Symptoms and signs of depression
- Deep depression
- Depression test
- Treatment of depression
- How to deal with depression on your own
- After depression
Depression what to do, Symptoms of depression, Signs of depression, Major depression, Depression test, Depression treatment, How to deal with depression on your own, After depression
Depression can occur not only because we are experiencing tragic events or the loss of loved ones. Symptoms of depression can appear as a result of a chemical imbalance in the body or mental problems. What is deep depression, where to start treatment, how to fight on your own and what to do after – everyone should have the answers to these questions.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2020, depression has become the most common ailment on the planet. According to experts, nowadays there are barely 3% of the total population of the Earth who are not prone to depression. The remaining 97% are former, current or potential victims of this disease.
Symptoms and signs of depression
Depression has long been recognized as a painful condition, which a person cannot cope with simply by the force of his desire. The main symptom of depression is a depressed state of mind that lasts for days or weeks and in some cases worsens over time. Anxiety is often a sign of depression.
Symptoms of depression are also feelings of extreme sadness or constant anxiety for no apparent reason. For many people, depression is triggered by a tragic event and takes on a situational character. For example, someone who has lost their job may show signs of depression. And in some cases, the symptoms of depression occur without any clear connection with current events and it is not clear what triggers such a strong emotional reaction. Problems begin when signs of depression persist for a long period of time, or when they begin to affect daily activities, such as interfering with work.
Difficulty concentrating is one of the signs of depression. A depressed person is too focused on his own experiences, it can be difficult for him to focus on a work task and, as a rule, he has problems making decisions. Someone who suffers from excessive anxiety can sometimes react inappropriately or overly emotionally to familiar things. Most patients with symptoms of depression also suffer from anxiety disorders. People with anxiety disorders tend to have trouble sleeping and can be irritable and moody most of the day. While there is no medical evidence that one disorder is the cause of another, there is ample evidence that people with depression may have had previous experience with anxiety disorders.
Physical disorders such as hypertension or high blood pressure can also be symptoms of depression. Sudden weight loss (often associated with decreased appetite) is also a sign of depression. Patients with nervous disorders arising against the background of depression often lose interest in life, stop taking care of themselves. For friends and loved ones, all these are signals that it is time to seek medical help.
Deep depression
There are three main types of major depression. People who suffer from bipolar disorder often experience periods of major depression. A large percentage of the population is affected by seasonal affective disorder (people who develop it may experience extreme depression at certain times of the year – especially in the fall and winter). On rare occasions, people with a history of mental illness may have psychotic depression. This severe form of depression is accompanied by hallucinations and loss of touch with reality.
Symptoms of major depression should not be confused with symptoms of depression, such as depression in the fall. People with major depression often have uncontrolled crying attacks, significant weight gain or loss, extreme fatigue, and chronic pain. People with severe depression spend most of the day asleep.
If severe depression is left untreated, its symptoms can worsen. Depression can develop into a mental or nervous disorder. One of the signs of this stage is sleep for a long time, sometimes several days. Loses interest in daily activities, family or friends, signs of paranoia begin to appear, a person may hear voices or see hallucinations. One of the dangerous symptoms can be sudden displays of aggression.
Anyone who is dealing with long-term depression or has any of the symptoms listed above should talk to their doctor and psychologist.
In addition to dealing with the symptoms of depression, your doctor can help identify the factors that are causing it. Psychological consultations can be both in the format of a one-on-one conversation with a doctor, and in the form of group sessions.
Depression test
You can use a standard depression test to help you determine if you are experiencing signs of emotional distress as symptoms of depression. If half of the statements are positive, you are a potential victim of depression:
do you have difficulty falling asleep at night?
Do you often have nightmares?
Do you often feel tired and emotionally drained?
are you not on a diet and your weight has changed a lot (up or down) over the past six months?
has your sex drive decreased?
Have any of your immediate family members (parents, brother, sister) been diagnosed with a depressive disorder?
Do you rate your daily stress and anxiety levels as moderate or high?
Do you have hallucinations (auditory or visual)?
Does your mood change (for the worse) as winter or autumn approaches?
do you try to hide your worries from loved ones?
This is one of the simplest examples of a depression test. If you want to take a closer look at your emotional state, use one of the depression tests offered by professional medical publications.
Treatment of depression
Regardless of what type of depression treatment your doctor prescribes, it’s important to understand that there are no instant solutions. You may need to try different types of antidepressants to find the one that works best for you. In addition, you will need to take medications for several weeks before you see any benefits. Patience is important here. Trust your doctor, do not hesitate to tell him in detail exactly how you feel. Only in the case of absolute trust will the doctor be able to choose the best treatment for depression.
How to deal with depression on your own
If the symptoms of depression are just beginning to appear and are still very far from the deep stage, you can try to fight depression on your own. To do this, you will have to make changes in your usual lifestyle and adjust some habits.
For example, you need to fight depression on your own, starting by eliminating refined sugar from the diet. Depression is often associated with low levels of serotonin in the brain, and sugar is the cause of the short-term spike in serotonin. No wonder many people are so hungry for sweets when they are depressed! But the increase in serotonin levels is temporary, and, as they say, the more painful the fall will be. Do not give in to the temptation, eating sweet does not cure depression.
The diet should consist of the right foods. In addition, it is important that the diet contains the required amount of vitamins. If you eat right, then your body will function normally, which means that you will feel good.
In order to fight depression on your own, you need to exercise regularly. Exercise gives the body a natural boost in adrenaline levels, which boosts mood for several hours. Exercise regularly to combat depression or to prevent depression.
After depression
When the worst is over and the depression has been overcome, it is important to continue to take the necessary measures to maintain emotional stability and not fall into depression again. After a depression, it is very important that the body gets enough sunlight. Research shows that a daily dose of sunlight can help boost your mood. Even if it’s only fifteen minutes outside in sunny weather and in the fresh air.
After depression, it is also important to provide the body with adequate amounts every night. Lack of sleep interferes with the normal functioning of the body. We usually need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. This amount of rest will allow you to maintain a normal emotional background. And if you feel tired, take a short break and take a nap right in the middle of the day.
After depression, it is very important to organize your time properly. Make a list of goals – this list will organize your thoughts. Start with small, short-term tasks. Use a reward system when, after completing a task, you give yourself a small gift. In psychotherapy, this is called an “individual behavior modification plan”, any professional psychotherapist will be able to provide you with expert assistance in setting goals.