Don’t Fret. Think Solutions Not Problems

Depression is something that has been widely discussed. The weight of depression is heavy. A depressed individual may feel as though the world is conspiring to cement their doom. It seems like everyone, and everything is out to get you, and it makes sure you view the world through a negative lens.  

Awareness of mental health issues and the prevalence of depression are both at all-time highs in the twenty-first century. Although we have come to accept the existence of mental illness, we still lack a common understanding of what depression is, how it manifests in people, and what can be done to treat it. We may, in fact, be privy to some information. It’s well knowledge that people with depression are more likely to entertain suicidal thoughts and experience extreme unhappiness. 

Despite its challenges, depression is an intriguing condition to study. This condition can be treated. Hope exists. Controlling one’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences is a symptom of depression in and of itself. Depression causes a hopeless feeling by triggering a loop of experiences that feed depressive symptoms.  

To overcome depression, one must discover a means to end this vicious cycle. 

Anyone in need of discretion can now access the services of Sirwiss’s team of mental health professionals without leaving the comfort of their own homes. Our mental health professionals have years of expertise dealing with everything from moderate to severe bouts of depression. Read on to learn about the importance of mental health and how simple it is to fight depression. 

What is Mental Health 

Our mental health consists of our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It influences how we think, feel, and behave. Additionally, it influences how we deal with tension, interact with others, and make decisions. From infancy and adolescence through adulthood, mental health is essential. If you have mental health issues, your thinking, temperament, and behavior may be affected over the course of your lifetime.  

Numerous factors contribute to mental health issues, such as:  

1. Genes or cerebral chemistry are examples of biological variables.  

2. Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse  

3. Mental health concerns in the family tree.  

However common mental health issues are treatable. Persons with mental health issues can recover, and a large percentage of them recover fully. 

What is Depression? 

Depression can refer to a clinical mental health diagnosis or simply to a state of extreme sadness or emptiness. While a clinical diagnosis of depression requires meeting a number of strict criteria, the word is also commonly used to describe a person’s emotional condition in general. Many of the symptoms of depression can be experienced regardless of whether or not you have been diagnosed (or meet the criteria for a diagnosis). Sadness is only one symptom of depression.  

Some or all of the following could be symptoms of depression: 

1. You’re devastated by the results of your missed university finals.  

2. You and your significant other had an argument lately, and since then, you’ve been down in the dumps.  

3. You dread going to work every day because of how much you dislike your current position.  

Extreme melancholy is not always the result of depression. You may not be depressed only because you’re feeling sad as a result of an event (like being rejected). Matt Haig, long-term depressive and author of the best-selling memoir Reasons to Remain Alive, describes depression in the following manner:  

‘It acts like an intense fear of happiness, even as you yourself consciously want that happiness more than anything.’ 

In essence, depression makes it extremely difficult for us to experience happiness.

The Difference Between Depression and Grief 

It is normal to feel depressed after a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one or being laid off. These emotions may not inherently indicate depression, but rather a normal reaction to trying circumstances.  

Grief is characterized by surges of painful emotions. After the demise of a loved one, feelings of sadness fluctuate in intensity, and bright, happy moments puncture the black canvas that envelops us. Grief is distinct from melancholy, although the two are frequently confused with one another. Psychiatry.org states that, 

‘The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities.’ 

Memories of these losses fade over time, but a bereaved individual’s self-esteem and sense of purpose typically remain at least substantially intact. 

Rarely can the same be said about a person with clinical depression. 

In certain instances, however, grief can lead to depression. This is referred to as “complicated grief” because the normal, transient grieving process is prolonged. There is a significant distinction between normal grief and complicated bereavement or depression. As stated by the American Cancer Society:  

‘If the grieving person begins to abuse alcohol or drugs, neglects personal hygiene, develops physical problems, or talks about suicide, it may be a sign of complicated grief or depression.’  

Despite the fact that there is some overlap between the symptoms of mourning and depression, the two conditions remain distinct. Understanding these distinctions is crucial. Mistaking them could result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. 

What are the True Causes of Depression? 

What triggers a depressive episode in one individual can be very different for another. It has the potential to affect anyone, including people with no apparent causes for their misery. Some possible contributors to the development of depression are: 

1 Biochemistry: Depression is a physiologically driven condition for certain people. Variations or abnormalities in neurotransmitters like serotonin may lead to depressive symptoms.  

2. Genetics: Depression can sometimes be a hereditary disorder that runs in families. Studies suggest that if one of two identical twins develops depression during their lives, the other twin has a 70% risk of acquiring depression as well.  

3. Personality: Personality can also play a part in depression, affecting people who have low self-esteem, have difficulty dealing with stress, or have a generally negative attitude to life.  

4. Environmental factors: As previously noted, stressful events can occasionally raise a person’s risk of developing depression. Violence, neglect, poverty, and other factors all contribute to this possibility. 

Do You Have Depression? 

We all have bad days. Depression, though, is more than just sadness. Some symptoms that medical practitioners use to diagnose depression in their patients include the following.  

Common depression symptoms include:  

1. Feeling Sad  

2. Loss of interest or pleasure in previously loved activities  

3. Changes in appetite; weight loss or gain unrelated to diets  

4. Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping  

5. Increased unproductive physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slower movements and speech (actions observable by others)  

6. Lack of self-esteem or guilt  

7. Difficulties concentrating, thinking, or making judgments  

8. Suicidal or death fantasies.  

The difficulty in identifying depression stems from the fact that any of us may exhibit some of the symptoms listed above without necessarily having clinical depression.  

Take a test for depression if you’re concerned about your mood. That could provide you with some insight into the situation and point you in the right direction for moving forward. 

Treatments for Depression 

If you suffer from depression, or are concerned that you will in the future, you can take comfort in knowing that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Doctors and scientists worldwide agree that depression is unquestionably a treatable mental condition. Between 80 and 90 percent of depressives respond favorably to treatment ultimately, even if results take some time to show up, and almost all patients benefit from treatment in some way. 

Medication  

As previously discussed, brain chemistry can occasionally play a role in depression. Neurotransmitter imbalances alter how a person feels, making it difficult for them to maintain happiness despite their best efforts. In such instances, antidepressants and other medications can be used to modify neurochemistry and increase happiness. Contrary to the stigma sometimes associated with such medications, they are not addictive. Although antidepressants can sometimes alleviate symptoms within the first couple of weeks, it may take up to two or three months to see the complete benefits.  

Medication is useful for rapidly alleviating the symptoms of depression, but it is rarely an effective long-term treatment on its own. As a result, medicines are typically used in conjunction with other approaches.  

Psychotherapy 

 
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is sometimes used alone to treat moderate cases of depression. In severe cases, psychotherapy is typically combined with medication in an effort to treat the underlying cause of the problem while managing immediate symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly employed as a psychological treatment for depression. CBT entails teaching patients how to recognize distorted thinking and providing them with tools to combat it, with the goal of forming healthier thought patterns over time.  

Self-Help Depression Treatments  

Medication and CBT are the most common methods used by physicians and practitioners. Both have been demonstrated to be effective in treating and managing depression. In addition to these, however, there are a multitude of other practices that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of depression.  

These consist of:  

Mindfulness  

Simply stated, mindfulness is the act of being present. It is the practice of concentrating on the present moment and detaching from one’s thoughts. Consider your mindset upon awakening this morning. Did you begin your day by listening to the birds, feeling the sun on your face, and savoring coffee in peace? Or did you, like the majority of people, rise up late, rush to work, and arrive stressed and unhappy? The first example demonstrates mindfulness.  

When we are mindful, we are completely focused on the present moment. Depression is a mental disorder characterized by overthinking and detachment from reality. It forces us to focus on the negative aspects of our lives and our troubled past instead of the positive aspects of each new day. Numerous depressive sufferers assert that mindfulness has had profound effects on their state of mind.  

But what does it precisely mean to be mindful? 

Author of “The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness” Mark G. Williams explains:  

‘Being mindful means that we suspend judgment for a time, set aside our immediate goals for the future, and take in the present moment as it is rather than as we would like it to be’. 

It’s important to take time each day to allow your mind to rest and reacquaint yourself with the real world. If you find yourself experiencing sadness or thinking unfavorable thoughts, ask yourself if you are being fully present in the moment. If “no” is the response, then relax. While you exhale, focus your attention on what you can see, hear, and feel right now. That’s what mindfulness is all about – paying attention – and it may be a powerful tool for gaining perspective when depressive symptoms develop. 

Look After Yourself 

When we’re down in the dumps, taking care of ourselves is often the last thing on our list of priorities. When we’re feeling sad, a lot of us stop working out, start sleeping irregularly, and reach for junk food to lift our spirits. It’s ironic that the very actions we use to alleviate our suffering often end up making it worse. If you can resist giving in to these temptations, you may be able to reduce the severity of your symptoms. The task is challenging, but not impossible. Author Andrew Solomon suggests the following in his book “The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression.”  

‘Exercise because it’s good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.’ 

In short, you need to do all in your power to stay on track, maintaining the habits you’ve determined are crucial to your health and happiness. Doing so will also assist in lessening the impact of depression on your life. Exercising, for instance, has various mood-boosting effects. You probably already know that when you work out, your body produces a chemical called endorphins, which makes you feel good and reduces your perception of pain and stress. Regular exercise, such as jogging, yoga, or weightlifting, might help alleviate depression symptoms and boost health and well-being. Even if you’re depressed, you can lift your mood by exercising regularly and adopting other good habits like eating complete, nutrient-dense meals, getting enough sleep, and spending time with loved ones. 

Find a Focus 

Negative thoughts can arise when one allows their mind to roam aimlessly. Perhaps this explains why feelings of depression are sometimes linked to redundancy and loss. Both of these things leave a hole in one’s focus, making it easier for negative ideas to enter. Without a destination in mind, you may also begin to experience a lack of direction in your life. Finding an outlet for your enthusiasm can help you stop dwelling on your problems. Having a goal to work toward, whether at work or in our personal lives, can alleviate sadness and give us a renewed sense of purpose. 

Depression doesn’t have to be a permanent barrier to happiness if you learn to recognize its signs, investigate its root causes, and pursue effective treatment. While progress may be slow, it is ultimately worthwhile.