What is Depression?
Depression could mean losing a night's sleep, taking one's own life or manifest itself in a myriad of other ways, either mental or physical. Depression is more than just being or feeling sad and does not necessarily follow a tragic period. Some people who suffer from depression may be unaware that they are depressed, putting their feelings down to being sad or emotional. Depression can affect men or women, boys or girls and without suitable treatment, may linger for months or years at a time.
Depression is a very broad term which covers clinical depression, reactive depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, adolescent depression and postnatal depression. Hard to categorise, it is a condition which is frequently ignored and often derives negative connotations.
What Causes Depression?
There is no particular cause of depression and in some cases, depression cause is unknown. Reactive depression is where the onset of depression occurs after a major event such as divorce, death or unemployment. Depression can also occur during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby. Even a history of depression in a family can mean that someone is more prone to developing depression at some point in their lifetime.
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
Depression varies in the way it affects each individual. For some, it is more of a physical pain involving migraines and others; it may just be a feeling of perpetual tiredness.
Some of the more common symptoms of depression are as follows:
- Loss of energy
- Suicidal thoughts
- Significant increase or decrease in appetite
- Poor self-esteem
- Strong feelings of guilt
- Consistent headaches or migraines
- Lack of sleep or desire to oversleep
- Feeling of sadness, anxiousness or failure to connect with others
- Irritability
- Digestive disorders
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Reckless behaviour
Who Is At Risk?
A faceless condition, depression can affect anyone at any stage in their life. Although not as common in children as adults, it can still affect them causing them to experience difficulties at school or creating an unnecessary barrier between them and their family. Adolescent depression can be harder to diagnose with statistics showing that approximately 30% of adolescent depression goes untreated. In adults, it is thought that depression is more common in women than men although the number of men who admit to suffering from depression is on the rise.
Managing Depression
Due to the negative connotation of depression as a mental illness, admitting that you or a family member may have depression can be difficult. However once the subject is brought out in the open, then immediate assistance from a doctor should be sought.
One should also be directed to not only see their doctor but also by visiting their local health products retailer to speak to an alternative medicine practitioner.
Treatment can include but is not limited to:
- Medication - The most common form of treatment along with psychotherapy, antidepressant medication is often prescribed by doctors. Note that many types of treatment medication may bring with it other side effects.
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) - This is a psychotherapeutic approach which aims to get to the root of the issue focussing on specific thoughts and feelings.
- Light therapy - Exposure to intensive or bright light is used to combat both seasonal and non-seasonal forms of depression.
- Psychotherapy - Psychotherapy or counselling given by a qualified practitioner is used in order to improve a patient's wellbeing and sense of self.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) - IPT is a short-term treatment focussing on personal interactions and building interpersonal skills.
What should I do if someone I know is suffering from Depression?
If someone you know may be suffering from depression it is important for you to try to encourage them to seek treatment. Research the issue so you have a better understanding of how they may be feeling as many people are hesitant when it comes to admitting that they may suffer from depression. Individual sufferers may find it difficult to identify the depression cause. Be as supportive and as caring as you can as the illness has no reflection on them as a person.
