DEPRESSION

Hi guys, i remember i promised you guys on my introductory post that i would bring forth great content, well sorry it took so long had to get myself a new computer. so here is me delivering to you guys a piece on a particular issue that people always tend to ignore either subconsciously or they see it as a sign of weakness on the path of the affected. However am here to tell you guys that depression is real and it claims a lot of lives if not tackled effectively.

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Yes guys depression is real trust me, and alot of people suffer from it so i would like to enligthen you guys on what it is , after doing my due diligence with a lot of research and reviews on this topic am going to show you how to know if you are suffering from it and what to do to be able to beat it and lead a normal and healthy life.

So what is depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a serious mood disorder which brings about symptoms that affect how you feel about things,how you think, and especially how you handle your daily activities, such as the way you sleep, the way you eat and how you work. for one to actually be diagnosed with depression, these aforementioned signs and symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

There are quite a different number of depressions Some forms of depression are slightly different, and or may develop under unique and varied circumstances. some of these varied form of depressions could be as follows

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⦁ Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with this disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of symptoms that are less severe, however such symptoms must last for up to two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder.

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Postpartum depression is a much more serious type of depression that some women do experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). There is a feeling of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression that may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.

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Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis (such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs or "delusions" or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see which could also be called "hallucinations"). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.

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⦁ Another type of depression is the Seasonal affective disorder which is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months due to the fact that there is less natural sunlight. This depression is usually non existent during the spring and summer. Winter depression shows signs of social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain and also predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.

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⦁ Bipolar disorder is quite different from depression, but however am going to include it in this list because if a person with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”

However guys on a personal level If you have been experiencing some or all of the following signs and symptoms am going to mention below for most parts of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you "may" be suffering from depression.

⦁ Persistently sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
⦁ Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
⦁ Irritability
⦁ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
⦁ Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
⦁ Decreased energy or fatigue
⦁ Moving or talking more slowly
⦁ Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
⦁ Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
⦁ Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
⦁ Appetite and/or weight changes
⦁ Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
⦁ Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

Depression can happen at any age in a human being, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children.

Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can occur alongside other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when the patient is depressed. Sometimes medications that is prescribed for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best way to treat such a patient.

No two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no "one-size-fits-all" for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you.

now to the part where most of us suffering from this condition must be interested in.
what do we need to do to combat this sometimes subtle but dangerous mental menace?

One could go for Medical treatments such as:

Anti-depressants: these are medicines that treat depression. They may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. You may need to try several different antidepressant medicines before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects.

Psychotherapies: Several types of psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy” or, in a less specific form, counseling) can help people with depression

Brain Stimulation Therapies: If medications do not reduce the symptoms of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option to explore. ECT can provide relief for people with severe depression who have not been able to feel better with other treatments.
Electroconvulsive therapy can be an effective treatment for depression. In some severe cases where a rapid response is necessary or medications cannot be used safely, ECT can even be a first-line intervention.

Well guys with the above information that you have been provided If you think that you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your doctor or health care provider. This could be your primary care practitioner or a health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.

On a final note, i would also like to let you guys know about some other non medical method of dealing with depression

• You could Try to be active and do a lot of exercises, nothing like a good workout session to take your mind off of thinking too much .

• Set realistic goals for yourself and try to accomplish them trust me you will feel better after you do.

• Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative for regular healthy conversations to always clear your mind.

• Try not to isolate yourself,socialise and go out more and let others help you to enjoy your day more.

• Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately give yourself time to heal.

• Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced, or changing jobs until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.

• Continue to educate yourself about depression.

So guys this is a great piece of information i hope it truly helps someone out there who really needs this so please drop your comments and share to help someone. will be back with yet another piece soon. Have a great day folks

@KINGDAREY