What is Depression?
Depression is a common and often serious mood disorder. Someone suffering from depression may have emotional symptoms such as: persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and loss of interest in things that they previously enjoyed. Depression can also manifest itself physically through symptoms such as: chronic pain, fatigue or digestive issues including weight loss or gain.
What is the Difference Between Sadness and Depression?
Between careers, family, relationships and other commitments, we are spread pretty thin and it is completely normal to feel sad or worn out by life at some point. The difference between sadness and depression lies in how long someone is feeling sad and the impact that such feelings have on his or her ability to function in everyday life. When someone is sad, they can typically feel small amounts of happiness (like when watching a favorite show or eating a favorite food) and continue to work or participate in their day to day life despite such feelings. Someone experiencing depression will not usually have a break in feelings and may struggle more than normal to perform typical life tasks including work, self-care, shopping or social interactions.
If you are concerned that you or someone you love may be experiencing depression, pay attention to how often and how long the symptoms last. If depressed feelings and loss of pleasure in most daily activities lasts most of the day every day for two weeks or more, that is worth noting and sharing with a healthcare provider.
Other symptoms may include one or several of the following:
- Feeling sad, anxious or empty
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- No longer enjoying things you used to
- Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Change in appetite (often loss)
- Gaining or losing weight
- Expressing a desire to just go away, go to sleep, or to die
These is not one single cause for depression. Depression may be impacted by genetics, life circumstances, brain damage, trauma, drug and alcohol abuse or other medical conditions.
How Can I Help Myself or Someone I Love Suffering With Depression?
- Learn: Just as we take time to learn and care for our physical needs, learning about our mental health and what we individually need to stay mentally fit is a great start. Learning what depression is and some proven tools for wellness is a great start!
- Talk About It: If you have a headache, you tell someone. If you’re exhausted, people can tell. Depression may not be as obvious, but having a community of support can aid in healing. Mental health is nothing be ashamed of, so talk about how you are feeling with people you trust. Tell your loved one’s what you need or ask a sufferer how you can help.
- Focus on Physical Health: Mental and physical health starts in the kitchen. Try to exercise and eat healthy foods. The food we put into our bodies may contribute to how good we feel mentally and emotionally. Caffeine, sugar, and processed foods may impede our ability to feel our best.
- Pay attention to what foods and habits makes you feel best! Diets rich in fruits, veggies, protein and drinking water may help. Talk to your doctor, a dietician or a mental health provider to see what kinds of foods would be best for you.
- Research also shows that moving our bodies naturally releases chemicals that improve our mood. Walking the neighborhood or “attending” free fitness courses on YouTube are a great place to start.
- Offer and Accept Help: If someone you love is experiencing depression, basic needs may fall to the wayside. Be willing to help with day to day needs such as meal prep, hygiene or making appointments so your loved one can focus on self-care. Try to accept such help if it is offered. If thoughts like “I should be able to do this” or “normal people don’t need help like this” enter your mind, give yourself permission to let them go, even if such permission must be given many times a day.
- Ask a Professional: When our bodies need healing, it is totally normal to see a doctor. Our minds are just another unique part of our body that may need maintenance. These professionals are invested in, and specifically trained, to help those suffering with depression. Reach out or encourage your loved one to do so, especially if feelings remain consistent over time (most of the day for 2 or more weeks) or impact day to day functioning.
Long-term feelings of sadness or emptiness may impact more than just the sufferer. Partners, friendships, co-workers or parents/children may feel strain on their relationship when mental health is challenged. There is hope for individuals experiencing depression and those impacted by it. Become educated, make healthful decisions and consider professional assistance. Contact Renew Relationship Counseling to schedule an appointment and see how we can help you assess and treat your concerns.
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm
- https://www.psycom.net/depression-definition-dsm-5-diagnostic-criteria/
- https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression
- Photos by: Nik Shuliahin and Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash
This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, nor to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical, mental health, or relational condition. Never disregard professional medical or mental health advice, or delay in seeking it,
because of this article.
© 2019 Renew Relationship Counseling, LLC. All Rights Reserved.