Feeling sad? Irritable? Hopeless? You can feel better.
You may have been told that these feelings are just part of growing older. They’re not. They may be symptoms of depression.
What is depression?
Depression is more than just the blues or a bad day. Depression is a medical illness that can be treated, just like arthritis or diabetes. It is not a weakness or a flaw. It can’t be overcome by “thinking positive” or “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”. But it can be diagnosed and treated by your health care provider. Having an illness of the brain and getting treatment is no reason to be ashamed.
Meanwhile , a seasoned writer, Jenn Miller wrote extensively on A Blueprint When Feeling Blue: How A Mental Health Diagnosis Can Be Empowering . You’d find her article so amazingly helpful .
Depression is different from grief.
You may be going through changes such as children moving away, illness, moving to assisted living facilities or the death of people you love. All of these things can cause feelings of sadness or grief. But when feelings of sadness last for a significant length of time and keep you from enjoying your life or doing things you used to, it may be a sign that you should seek treatment.
What causes depression? What are the symptoms?
Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Other illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer might make someone more likely to get depression. Medications for other illnesses may also cause, mimic or worsen depression. A period of at least two weeks during which you feel sad, lose interest in things, and have at least four of the following symptoms can mean major (clinical) depression.
- Crying spells, feelings of emptiness
- Inability to enjoy things you once liked, not wanting to be with people
- Major changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Irritability, anger
- Worry, anxiety
- Pessimism, indifference, feeling like nothing will ever go right
- Loss of energy, tiredness, fatigue
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
- Inability to concentrate or make decisions
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Is there more than one type of depression?
Yes. Dysthymia is another, milder form of depression. People who have dysthymia have problems with sleep or appetite, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions and/or feelings of hopelessness for two or more years. When moods swing from depression or sadness to a highly excited, irritated or energized state (called mania) and back, it may be a sign of bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Major (clinical) depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder are types of mood disorders.
Mood disorders
These are also known as affective disorders or depressive disorders. Patients with these conditions have significant changes in mood, generally involving either mania (elation) or depression. Examples of mood disorders include:
Major depression – the individual is no longer interested in and does not enjoy activities and events that they previously liked. There are extreme or prolonged periods of sadness.
Bipolar disorder – previously known as manic-depressive illness, or manic depression. The individual switches from episodes of euphoria (mania) to depression (despair).
Persistent depressive disorder – previously known as dysthymia, this is mild chronic (long term) depression. The patient has similar symptoms to major depression but to a lesser extent.
SAD (seasonal affective disorder) – a type of major depression that is triggered by lack of daylight. It is most common in countries far from the equator during late autumn, winter, and early spring.
Read Also : Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka,Anambra State wages war on Depression
Could my illness be bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression)?
Have you had periods of depression, followed by periods of unusually high energy? Do you go through periods when you spend excessive amounts of money or take unnecessary risks? Take a look at the list below. If you’ve had one or more week-long periods of unusually high energy or irritability, and you checked three or more symptoms, talk with your health care provider about bipolar disorder.
- Greatly increased physical and mental activity and energy
- Extreme optimism and self-confidence
- Grandiose thoughts
- Aggressive behavior, anger
- Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
- Rapid speech, racing thoughts
- Impulsiveness, poor judgment
- Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, unwise business decisions, careless driving and sexual promiscuity
- In severe cases, delusions (believing things that aren’t true) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that don’t exist)
How can I find out if I have a mood disorder?
Since only a health care provider can diagnose a mood disorder, seek professional help as soon as possible if you have concerns. Use the checklist above to get started. Tell your provider about all of your symptoms.
What can I do if I’m thinking about suicide?
- Tell a health care provider, family member or friend right away.
- Have a family member or friend take away anything you could use to hurt yourself.
- Know that thinking about suicide is a symptom of your illness that can be treated. When you have these thoughts, your mind is lying to you and making it seem that life is hopeless. There is hope, and your life is worthwhile.
- Keep following your treatment plan.
- Don’t use alcohol, drugs, or medications not prescribed for you.
What else can I do to improve my health?
- Learn as much as you can about your illness and its treatments.
- Follow your treatment plan, and keep all health care appointments. Write notes to yourself to help you remember medications and doctor visits.
- Eat regular, nutritious meals and have a regular sleep/wake schedule.
- Try to do some physical activity each day.
- Do something each day that you enjoy, or something that relaxes you.
- Work to reduce the stress in your life.
- Avoid alcohol and don’t use illegal drugs.
- Be aware of your symptoms and try to get help early, before they become severe.
- Ask family and friends to help you watch for symptoms.
How can I help a relative or friend who has depression or bipolar disorder?
- Encourage your loved one to get help. Talk to the doctor, if necessary. Help your loved one stay with treatment.
- Reassure your loved one that depression and bipolar disorder are not flaws or weaknesses.
- Remember the mood disorder is not your or your loved one’s fault. You cannot make your loved one well, but you can offer support and understanding.
- Be patient and keep an encouraging positive, hopeful attitude.
- Help with housework or errands.
- Watch for symptoms that may need a doctor’s attention.
- Educate yourself about depression and bipolar disorder.
- Get help and support if you need it.
credit : Depression and Bipolar support alliance (DBSA) , medicalnewstoday.com
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