What is Depression?
Depression is a mental disorder that results from a number of different genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It is a persistent feeling of severe sadness that can significantly lower one’s quality of life. If you have experienced any of the listed symptoms below for more than two weeks, get help.
1. Depression is more than just sadness. It is a toxic combination of hopelessness, tearfulness, emptiness, and despair that not only changes how you think but also how you function in daily activities. You feel as if you have sucked into a black hole. Life seems dull and gray and you feel that it would be futile to even attempt to brighten it. You don’t care about hobbies or social activities you once loved. A common recurring thought is, “What’s the point?” You have withdrawn from hobbies, social activities, and sporting activities. Your outlook on life is pessimistic. You’re not getting stuff done at work or school. You feel empty. While worrying incessantly, you wonder if anything you do will ever be truly meaningful. It seems like every day is a dark cloud and you will never experience a sunny day.
2. Appetite or weight changes. You experience a 5% weight gain or loss every month.
3. Sleep changes. You oversleep or suffer from insomnia. You feel exhausted even though you had a full night of sleep.
4. Angry or irritable. Feelings of restlessness, agitation, or violence. Your tolerance level is low. You are short with everyone. Everyone gets on your nerves. You have angry outbursts over small matters. Your emotions are up and down with varying mood swings. You have problems sitting still. This can include constant pacing or picking your clothes.
5. Energy loss. You feel tired, sluggish, and drained. Your body feels heavy and small tasks are difficult to complete as they require extra effort. You move slower than you did before. You even talk slower than you used to. Putting clothes on or cleaning your home exhausts you.
6. Self-hate. You are constantly combatting feelings of guilt and self-condemnation. You are hard on yourself for mistakes you think you’ve made. You fixate and blame yourself for past failures. You think you are a failure.
7. Reckless behavior. You engage in risky behavior. You have to use drugs, gamble, play dangerous sports, or drive recklessly in order to feel better. You rely on alcohol and sedatives to keep functioning. But no matter how much you try, nothing works.
8. Concentration problems. You have difficulty remembering simple things. You can’t focus or make decisions.
9. Unexplained aches and pains. Headaches, back pain, muscle aches, and stomach pain exist more often than usual. These physical symptoms do not respond to medical treatment. You feel sick and run down.
10. Thoughts of death. You have thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts. You’ve thought about committing suicide or if people will miss you when you leave this earth. You think people would be better off without you. The more you think of death, the more it appeals to you.
11. Depressive episodes. You hallucinate or develop false delusions that are out of step with reality.
What is Normal?
You may not experience every symptom listed and that is normal. Some experience more of these symptoms than others. The severity of the experience and how long the symptoms last vary on the stage of the illness. Depression does not look the same in everyone. There is no age limit for those who suffer with depression. It can happen to anyone.