Feeling blah about everything? Think you’re a failure or letting everyone down? Can’t focus on reading or TV? Ever think you’d be better off dead or hurting yourself?
If you said yes to all these, you might be dealing with depression. Sadness happens to everyone, but depression is a whole different beast.
What Is Depression?
Depression is like a dark cloud that sticks around, messing with your daily life. It can bring physical pain, mess with your weight, disrupt your sleep, and drain your energy.
Sadness usually has a clear cause, but depression can hit out of nowhere. Sadness is just a part of depression and doesn’t last as long.
Depression is super common, but the good news? It’s treatable. Therapy and meds can help you bounce back.
Depression VS. Sadness.
Sadness is something everyone feels at times. Life throws stuff at us that makes us sad, and that’s just part of being human.
Depression, though, is a mood disorder that takes over your life. It can hit anyone, no matter their age or gender, and it changes how you act and feel. In severe cases, it can lead to thoughts of suicide, isolation from loved ones, and trouble with work or school.
Depression and sadness are linked but are not the same.
Symptoms of Depression.
Depression messes with your mind, feelings, actions, and body. If you’ve been down or lost interest in your usual stuff for over two weeks, plus have other symptoms, you might be dealing with depression.
Remember:
- Just having some symptoms now and then doesn’t mean you have depression.
- Not everyone with depression will have all the symptoms.
Physical Symptoms:
- Always tired or feeling worn out.
- Frequent headaches, stomach issues, or muscle pain.
- Upset stomach or digestive problems.
- Trouble sleeping (too much or too little).
- Changes in appetite.
- Noticeable weight changes (gain or loss).
Emotional Symptoms:
Feelings:
- Constant sadness, unhappiness, or irritability.
- Feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or frustrated.
- Low self-esteem.
- Trouble focusing or making decisions.
- Feeling hopeless or disappointed.
Thoughts:
- Negative self-talk like: “I’m a failure,” “It’s my fault,” “Nothing good ever happens to me,” “I’m worthless,” or “Things will never change.”
- Suicidal thoughts like: “Life’s not worth living” or “People would be better off without me.”
Behavioral Symptoms:
- Pulling away from family and friends.
- Avoiding social activities.
- Losing interest in hobbies you used to enjoy.
- Falling behind on work or school.
- Using alcohol or sedatives to cope.
Causes of Depression.
Depression doesn’t have just one cause. It’s usually a mix of different causes. Here are some really interesting ones:
- Family History – depression can run in families, making it more likely. But just because a family member has it doesn’t mean you will.
- Your Personality – traits like worrying too much, low self-esteem, perfectionism, being sensitive to criticism, or being self-critical can make you more vulnerable.
- Serious Medical Conditions – can trigger depression directly or because of the stress, long-term management, or chronic pain they cause.
- Substance Use – using drugs or alcohol can cause depression and can also be a way people try to cope with it.
Types of Depression.
- Major Depression – the most common type, ranging from mild to severe.
- Melancholia – severe form with physical symptoms like slow movement, sleep issues, and appetite changes. You lose pleasure in almost everything.
- Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder) – long-lasting but milder depression, lasting over two years.
- Psychotic Depression – involves losing touch with reality, with hallucinations (seeing/hearing things that aren’t real) or delusions (false beliefs, like thinking everyone is against you).
- Antenatal and Postnatal Depression – happens during pregnancy (antenatal) or after childbirth (postnatal). More serious than the “baby blues,” affecting up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy.
- Bipolar Disorder – episodes of depression and mania (high energy, racing thoughts, little need for sleep). Family history increases risk and it can be confused with major depression or schizophrenia.
- Cyclothymic Disorder – milder, less predictable version of bipolar disorder with mood swings between mild mania and depressive symptoms over at least two years.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – seasonal mood disorder, usually causing winter depression due to less light. Symptoms include low energy, oversleeping, overeating, and carb cravings. More common in regions with long winters.
How is Depression Diagnosed?
A mental health expert will diagnose depression by:
- Doing a detailed mental health test.
- Reviewing your medical history.
How is Depression Treated?
Treatment usually involves one or a mix of these:
Medicine.
- Antidepressants to balance brain chemicals.
- They take 4 to 8 weeks to show full effects.
- Keep taking them even if they don’t work right away.
- Never stop or change the dose without talking to your doctor.
- Sometimes, you need to try different meds or combinations to find what works.
Therapy.
Therapy will help you change negative thoughts and improve your relationships.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – targets distorted thoughts about yourself and your situation.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – helps identify and manage stressors while strengthening relationships.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) – for severe, life-threatening depression that doesn’t respond to meds. It uses a mild electrical current to trigger a brief seizure, helping restore brain chemical balance and relieve symptoms (though how it works exactly is still unknown).
Coping With/Managing Depression.
- Seek help, depression affects your whole life, including relationships and health.
- Match your goals to what you can handle right now. Don’t take on too many responsibilities.
- Do one thing at a time.
- Spend time with others or confide in someone you trust instead of isolating yourself.
- Try doing activities that make you feel good.
- Social, religious, or community events and groups can boost your mood and offer support.
- Exercise.
- Recovery takes time. Look for small improvements.
- Eat Well.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Avoid big changes until you feel better.
- Accept Help by letting friends, family, or a therapist support you.
- Try to replace negative thoughts with small positive ones . As treatment goes on, negativity will drop.
When to See a Doctor?
- If you have 5 or more of the symptoms above for at least 2 weeks, see your doctor.
- If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts or even attempts, see a doctor fast.
What You Need To Know.
- With treatment, improvement can start within a few weeks, but full recovery takes longer.
- Stay in touch with your doctor, especially if the symptoms don’t go away.
- If you don’t take treatment, depression can last for weeks, months, or even years.
- Continued treatment can prevent relapses.
