Depression: part 2

What are the symptoms of depression? 

A depressed person will display some unmistakable signs. If you notice any of these symptoms affecting you or your near and dear ones, you may want to consider seeking help either from your immediate support network which can be your family or from a professional counsellor.

Very often what stops us from seeking help, is the social stigma attached to counselling or psychotherapy. This is a mental block that needs to be overcome. Going for counselling or psychotherapy is not always because of mental instability.Just as you take medicines when you have a fever, depression too is a problem for which you require mediation if not medication, though, sometimes medication too is prescribed.Mediation can come from your immediate family members, or friends whom you trust. You can open up to them and ask for their emotional support during your difficult phase.Alternatively, you can opt for counselling or psychotherapy, which can work wonders for you and help you regain your self-confidence and clarity in life.

Very often, the counsellor or psychotherapist is able to provide you with a viewpoint to move your forward in your life from its stuck position, by virtue of being a complete outsider with no preconceived notions or judgements about your situation.

Some of the symptoms of depression include:

Emotional Symptoms

If you are depressed you will experience immense sadness, and hopelessness, for prolonged periods and may have some of the following repetitive thoughts which cause the emotional disturbance:

• “I feel life is not worth living.”
• “Nobody understands me.”
• “I am so lonely.”
• “I feel helpless.”
• “Nobody needs me.”
• “My life is useless.”
• “I am pulling everyone else down with me.”
• “I don’t deserve happiness.”
• “I don’t enjoy anything anymore.”
• “I am feeling overwhelmed.”
• “Nothing seems to make me happy.”
• “I feel like crying all the time.”
• “I feel like dying.”
• “I am useless.”
• “I am all alone.”
• “Nobody cares for me.”
• “ I give up.”

Behavioural Symptoms

When you are depressed you will behave in a way which is not normal for you, for instance:

• “I just want to sleep all the time.”
• “I don’t want to do anything.”
• “I am not interested in anything.”
• “I do not want to be with my friends.”
• “I just want to be alone.”
• “I am worried.”
• “I am anxious.”
• “I feel restless.”
• “I don’t know what to do.”
• “I am not interested in sex anymore.”

Cognitive Symptoms

Depression can make you feel confused and impair your ability to think clearly and even affect your memory. You may feel like:

• “I feel I keep forgetting things.”
• “I am confused.”
• “I can’t seem to take decisions.”
• “I am not able to concentrate.”

Physical Symptoms:

Your depression will also show physical symptoms and you may complain to yourself in the following ways:

• “ I do not feel like eating anything.”
• “ I feel like eating all the time.”
• “I am just tired, all the time.”
• “I have no energy.”
• “I am hungry all the time.”
• “I have no appetite.”
• “I wake up suddenly in the middle of the night.”
• “I am unable to sleep.”
• “I’m getting fatter and I cannot control it.”
• “My joints ache for no reason.”
• “I feel lethargic.”
• “I have a headache.”
• “ I don’t feel like doing anything.”

A few other noticeable symptoms include:

• Irritability, agitation or restlessness
• insomnia or sleeping excessively
• Change in appetite such as eating too much or too little
• Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain due to sudden overeating tendencies
• No interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide, making plans for suicide or suicide attempt.

Depression Warning Signs

Not everyone who is depressed experiences every warning sign — some people will experience a few signs, while others, many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time. These signs are usually pretty clear to those around the person suffering — the person doesn’t seem at all like their normal self. The changes in the person’s mood are (usually) evident to friends and family.

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed”
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

In order for depression to be diagnosed, the person must experience these symptoms every day, for at least 2 weeks.

Types of Depression

Depressive disorders come in many different types, and while there are many similarities to each type of depression, each has its own unique set of symptoms.

The most commonly diagnosed form of depression is Major Depressive Disorder, a condition whose primary symptom is an overwhelming depressed mood for more than two weeks. The depressed mood affects all facets of the person’s life, including work, home life, relationships and friendships. A person with this kind of depression often finds it difficult to do much of anything or get motivated, so even going to seek treatment for this condition can be challenging.

Another type of depression is called dysthymia. Dysthymia is similar to Major Depressive Disorder, but the symptoms occur over a much longer period of time – more than 2 years. This is considered a chronic form of depression, and treatment can be challenging as an individual with Dysthymia has often already tried all manner of treatment. Individuals diagnosed with this condition can also suffer from occasional bouts of Major Depressive Disorder.

A third type of depression is referred to as Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. This condition is diagnosed when a person is adjusting to some new facet or change in their lives that has caused a great deal of stress. This disorder can even be diagnosed when a person is experiencing a good event in their life – such as a new marriage or a baby being born. Because the individual usually just needs a little additional support in their lives during this stressful time, treatment is time-limited and simple.

While there are many types of depression, some kinds of this condition seem to be related to changes in the length of days or seasonality. A seasonal depression is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). People with Seasonal AffectiveDisorder suffer the symptoms of a Major Depressive Disorder only during a specific time of year, usually winter. This appears to be related to the shorter days of winter, and the lack of sunlight in many parts of the country.

Depression is also a symptom of other disorders, such as Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is sometimes considered a “mood disorder,” but is not a form of depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by swings of a person’s mood from depression to mania (mania is when a person is feeling lots of energy — like they are on top of the world and can do almost anything, often trying to do just that). The cycling mood changes from severe highs (mania) and lows (depression) can sometimes be dramatic and rapid in some people, but most often they are gradual.

After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman’s body may trigger symptoms of depression. More than half of the women suffering from postpartum depression will experience it again with the birth of another child. It is critical to identify this danger and treat it early. During pregnancy, the amount of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in a woman’s body increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops back down to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman’s moods before she gets her menstrual period.

Like any mental disorder, depression is best diagnosed by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who has specific experience and training in making an accurate diagnosis. While a family physician or general practitioner can also make a diagnosis of depression, you should also obtain a referral to a mental health professional for follow-up care.

What are the risk factors that can make you vulnerable to depression?

Some of the most common risk factors that can lead one into depression are:

• Loneliness and isolation
• Lack of social support
• Recent stressful life experiences
• Family history of depression
• Marital or relationship problems
• Financial strain
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Unemployment or underemployment
• Health problems or chronic pain

Treatment for Depression

Psychological treatments

Psychological treatments are also known as talk therapy, which can help you identify self-sabotaging thinking patterns and behaviour. The therapies can work wonders to bring about positive transformations in different areas of your life. The different forms of talk therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Behaviour Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
• Counselling
• Couples Counselling
• Drama Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Relationship Counselling
• Family therapy
• Cognitive Analytic Therapy
• Bereavement Therapy

Exercise

Regular exercising can vastly reduce the symptoms of depression.

Exercising will not only make your immune system stronger but will also release feel-good chemicals in the brain. Exercises such as swimming, cycling, jogging, can boost your activity level and make you feel fresh and energized. Activities such as gardening, washing your car, a walk around a park with your pet, too can uplift your mood. Yoga and Tai Chi too are well- known for great mental and emotional benefits, apart from physical.

Exercising can, in fact, prevent depression from recurring.

Medical Treatments

If your depression level is moderate you may be prescribed antidepressants along with psychological counselling.

If you suffer from very severe forms of depression such as bipolar disorder, or psychosis, you may be prescribed mood stabilizers and anti-psychotic drugs.

Be Aware and Spread Awareness✌

For more query contact on dhyancounseling@gmail.com