Recently depression and other mental illnesses have been glorified. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. It is not feeling down for an hour out of your day and it most definitely is not beautiful. According to the American Psychiatric Association it is defined as a feeling of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once loved. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.
Although depression manifests differently person by person, common symptoms include
feeling chronically sad or depressed
a loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
changes in appetite or weight unrelated to dieting
sleeping or sleeping too much
loss of energy
feeling worthless or guilty
difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
thoughts of death or suicide
These symptoms must be unrelated to other health issues, persist longer than two weeks, and impact your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis. If you or someone you know seems to be showing symptoms of depression please contact your physician or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP.
The American Psychiatric Association states that depression affects around one in fifteen adults in any given year, and 16.6% will experience depression at some time in their life. While depression can occur at any time, it usually first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression, as there are hormonal, societal, and coping style differences. Studies show a high degree— around 40%— of heritability when parents, siblings, or other first-degree relatives have or had depression. Not only are depressive tendencies genetically passed down, they are also influenced by the brain’s biochemistry, as certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression, and environmental factors such as continuous exposure to violence, neglect, or abuse.
Many confuse sadness or grief with depression, but being sad is not the same thing as being depressed. The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and it even shares some of the same features of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. They are also different in important ways.
Grief and depression can co-exist. For some people, the death of a loved one, losing a job or being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can lead to depression. When this occurs, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression.
Depression is a real illness and help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, 80-90% of people with depression overcome it. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, a first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Talk about your concerns and request a thorough evaluation. There are a number of things people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression. For many, exercise releases dopamine, which helps to create a positive feeling and improve mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol can also help reduce symptoms of depression.
If you are struggling, know that it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be weak. You're not bulletproof, you're human. You're capable of getting hurt. Cry your heart out and ruin your mascara. Stop pretending. Unmask yourself. Breakdown if you are tired. With time, you will be healed.
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