HOW TO MANAGE DEPRESSION

Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as part of life. Major changes in someone's life such as losing a loved one, a job or constant failures in one's career or school can lead to depression.

Depression is an ongoing illness, someone who suffers from depression can experience symptoms for a long period ranging from a couple of weeks, months and worst case for a couple of years.

TYPES OF DEPRESSION

MAJOR DEPRESSION

A person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy.

Treatment usually involves medication and psychotherapy.

PERSISTENT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

It is also known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years.

 A person with this disorder may have episodes of major depression as well as milder symptoms.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder and research shows that people with this disorder may have symptoms quite similar to depression .

This makes bipolar disorder hard to distinguish from depression.

PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION

Some people experience psychosis with depression.

Psychosis can involve delusions, such as false beliefs and a detachment from reality. It can also involve hallucinations.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

After giving birth, many women experience what some people call the "baby blues". When hormone levels readjust after childbirth, changes in mood can result.

Postpartum depression or postnatal depression is more severe.

There is no single cause for this type of depression and it can persist for months or years. Anyone who experiences ongoing depression after delivery should seek medical attention.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER WITH SEASONAL PATTERN

It was previously referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D, this type of depression is related to the reduction in daylight during the fall and winter.

It lifts during the rest of the year and in  response to light therapy.

People who live in countries with long or severe winters seem to be affected more by this condition.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

These symptom actually differ from males and females, the below symptoms are the general symptoms that may be experienced by both genders.

• reduced interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• a loss of sexual desire
• changes in appetite
• unintentional weight loss or gain
• sleeping too much or too little
• agitation, restlessness and pacing up and down
• slowed movement and speech 
• fatigue or loss of energy
• feelings of worthlessness or guilt 
• difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• recurrent thoughts of death or suicide  or an attempt at suicide

Symptoms unique to females

• irritability
• anxiety
• mood swings
• fatigue
• ruminating (dwelling on negative thoughts)
• postpartum depression
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Depression is twice as common among women as men according to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Symptoms unique to males

• Avoiding families and social situations
• working without a break
• having difficulty keeping up with work and family responsibilities
• displaying  abusive or controlling behaviour in relationships

Depression is a mental health issues that is very common among young  people and children too.

College students experience depression for various reasons among them being, new responsibilities, culture change, coping with demanding school work and maintaining a healthy social life, while trying to juggle all the above most college students succumb to depression and the general symptoms being.

difficulty concentrating on schoolwork

• insomnia
• sleeping too much
• a decrease or increase in appetite
• avoiding social situations and activities that they used to enjoy

Some people experience unique symptoms for the  unique situations they are undergoing which can still lead to depression.

Teenagers and children similarly are not immune from depression. As for teenagers a lot of changes take place in their bodies, some pleasant and other changes not so pleasant and this carries with it a lot of emotions that may lead to depression.

Common symptoms in teens include

• withdrawing from friends and family
• difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
• feeling guilty, helpless or worthless
• restlessness, such as an inability to sit still

Children experience the following symptoms

crying

• low energy
• being clingy
• defiant behaviour
• vocal outbursts

Children mostly find it hard to express their emotions verbally hence the symptoms.

Causes of depression cannot be mentioned exhaustively because these factors differ and people's experiences totally differ as well.

Few factors however appear in most cases and they include;

• changes in the brain's neurotransmitter levels
• environmental factors
• psychological and social factors
• additional conditions, such as bipolar disorder
• genetic disorders

TREATMENT

Depression is treatable and managing symptoms usually involves three components;

Support: This can range from discussing practical solutions and possible causes to educating family members

Psychotherapy: Also known as talking therapy, some options include one-to-one counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (C.B.T).

Drug treatment: A doctor may prescribe antidepressants.

Anyone suffering from depression should seek help because ignoring it can be detrimental. 

If you need to talk do not hesitate to reach us. Royal Footprints is always willing and ready to listen.