What is Depression?
If you ask a group of people who've suffered from clinical depression to define the illness, you'll hear a variety of answers. Depression is a very personal experience that millions of people all over the world experience.
Different people manifest different symptoms, but one thing is certain: depression is a difficult illness that can destroy your life if left unresolved.
Many people with depression describe it as a sense of despair that engulfs everything they do and everything they feel.
If you think being depressed is akin to feeling sad because your favorite team just lost the championship game, you really have no idea what suffering from true depression is like. Depression is much deeper and more invasive than sadness or frustration.
Depression takes everything away from you; it saps your energy, focus, concentration, and especially your joy. You just don't care about anything; nothing matters and even the people you love become unimportant.
If you're depressed for a long period of time, you become accustomed to the feeling and any other emotion becomes unfamiliar and even frightening.
Physical Concerns of Depression
Depression doesn't only take its toll on your emotions and mental state; it can cause serious physical problems as well. Depression may cause you to either lose your appetite or eat incessantly. It also zaps your energy and motivation.
When you're depressed, you tend to become inactive. This alone can cause a number of problems, but when added to some of the other physical side effects of depression, it's easy to see why depression is such a serious illness.
In addition, depression can lead to:
Lack of sleep. Depression can cause insomnia, which strips the body of the necessary sleep to function properly.
Get enough rest. The optimum amount of sleep a person needs each night varies from person to person. If you feel sluggish around mid-afternoon or anytime during your day, you may not be getting enough sleep. Short-changing yourself on sleep is a surefire way to increase feelings of sadness in your life.
If you're feeling blue and tired, try to increase the amount of sleep you're getting at night. Often, giving your body enough rest will cause you to feel better about yourself and your circumstances in a few short days.
Poor nutrition. When depressed, many people fail to take in proper nutrients. It takes too much effort to plan and prepare a meal. This can cause several health problems.
Change your diet. Eating healthy is good for your body, but it can also be good for your emotions. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables keep your blood sugar level stable and healthy. Eating fish regularly provides your body with essential fats and protein that can help to boost your mood.
Processed foods and simple sugars may contribute to feelings of depression. In addition, these foods contribute to an overall poor health that makes the battle for your mind and emotions more difficult.
Drink plenty of water. Eat smaller meals, and eat more often to properly fuel your body for the challenges you face in life. And consider taking a multivitamin supplement to ensure that you're getting all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to create within you the emotional health you deserve to experience.
Aches and pains. If anyone tells you that your mental state has no effect on your physical state, they're wrong. When you're depressed, the chemicals in the brain that signal pain are as affected as the chemicals in your brain that help you feel happy.
Physical aches and pains are increased, which in turn, kicks in the sad feelings and the cycle begins again.
Hygiene issues. Someone suffering from depression doesn't have the energy or the motivation to be concerned with self-care.
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
These are some specific things those with depression experience:
Constant and severe sadness about everything
Hopelessness
Insomnia or trouble sleeping
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Loss of interest in things that once interested them
Feeling worthless, useless and strangely guilty for no reason at all
Serious change in weight, one way or the other
Lack of energy and fatigue
One thing about depression is certain: it's a serious condition and should be taken seriously.
As depression progresses, it feeds on itself like a snowball rolling downhill. The longer someone is depressed, the worse the depression gets until they see no way out of it at all. They become resigned to being miserable all the time.
Depression can be caused by a certain event, the change of seasons, a loss of someone close, or even a chemical imbalance in the brain. The treatment for depression usually involves counseling or medication that helps alter brain chemistry.
If you know someone who is depressed, the best thing you can do is be his or her friend. Talk to them and help them through this period. Help them seek medical care to treat their illness.
If you think you may be depressed, give us a call for a free consultation to see how therapy can help.
Depression doesn't have to ruin your life! With help and support, you can conquer your depression, move past it, and go on to live a joyful life. Give us a call today and explore our online therapy services!
