I have a lot of respect for people who can face this world with a bright smile and positive outlook. It’s not hard to find a reason to feel a little down with the state of our fledgling economy, job shortages and natural disasters. And you know what? It’s ok to be sad, frustrated and to even get a good cry in every now and then. But what’s dangerous is allowing the negativity of the world to totally take over your life.
Women suffer from depression twice as much as men. In fact, one out of four women will have some form of depression at least once in their lives. Many people mistakenly assume that depression is just a serious case of the doldrums that someone can overcome if they are determined enough. But depression can be triggered by a hormonal changes, chemical imbalances and events in life that can leave a person feeling powerless if they aren’t equipped with the resources to manage and express their emotions.
So when are you just a victim of a bad day and when should you worry? These symptoms could indicate that your solemn mood has turned into something more serious:
1. Re-occurring pain that doesn’t respond to treatment
Headaches, muscle pain and abdominal pain are just a few of the maladies that occur repeatedly in those who suffer from depression. Stress, tension and anger are a few of the feelings that can manifest into physical discomfort if left unmanaged.
2. Loss of energy and enthusiasm
Depression can drain energy and make activities and events that you used to enjoy not seem worth the effort. Depression sufferers often believe they don’t deserve to be happy or enjoy themselves, or they fear that when the fun is over their depression will return and find it hard to find any point in engaging in these types of activities.
3. Isolation and withdrawing from friends and activities
Try to imagine depression as an abusive partner. It often isolates its victim so that all of their time and attention is invested into their disease. People suffering from depression often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed such as spending time with friends and family because they are consumed and imprisoned by depression. Instead of traveling, painting or playing sports, your disease becomes your hobby.
4. Memory loss and inability to focus
Memory impairment occurs in about 10% of people with severe depression. When the brain is pre-occupied with negative thoughts of guilt, worry, shame and disappointment, it interferes with the brain’s ability to function when engaging in normal tasks. This can lead to increased frustration for being unable to remember or complete these tasks. People suffering from depression can often appear restless, uncoordinated and distracted.
5. Extreme fluctuations in appetite
Depending on the person depression can affect your appetite in many different ways. Some people may find themselves eating more to compensate for a void or a loss, and others will avoid eating altogether. Since depression can make you feel powerless and out of control, many try to exercise what control they do have over their eating habits.
6. Persistent feelings of hopelessness or despair
Depression can remove your ability to look at life objectively and cloud your outlook so that you don’t consider other resolutions and ways to rectify situations. Even small decisions such as what to have for lunch or what to wear can seem like monumental and impossible tasks. Situations like this can intensify the depression since the sufferer loses faith in their ability to make a confident decision.
7. Inconsistent and irregular sleep patterns
Almost 80% of people suffering from depression experience some type of sleep disorder. A depressed mind is often unable to shut down since it is usually obsessed with problems and stresses of the day leading to feeling unrefreshed and irritable the next day. The precious moments of sleep they do experience are often filled with disturbing dreams and interrupted sleep. Others will feel tired and drained and abuse sleep by becoming dependent on it to escape what may be regular and normal inconveniences for most people.
8. Unexplained crying
It’s one thing to have a day of Lifetime Movie Network, Patty Duke and tears, but depression can make you feel like breaking down if the drugstore is out of your favorite nail polish color. Often people who are depressed can feel emotional and cry often, but aren’t able to clearly explain why which is completely different from an isolated moment of sadness in an otherwise emotionally healthy person. Depressed people can display a lack of self-control and struggle to manage their emotions.
9. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Unfortunately low self-esteem and depression often go hand in hand. A depressed mind searches for faults within itself and life in general by default. It can twist and manipulate words of encouragement and concern into criticism, creating false beliefs that everything in the universe is rooting for the sufferer’s downfall. Successes and achievements are often belittled and the sufferer will only focus on all the things that are wrong with life and him/her.
10. Thoughts of suicide and death
In severe cases of depression the person may become so hopeless that they cannot imagine a future in which they are happy. They make speak of suicide as a viable option and justify how life will be better for them and everyone involved if they are no longer here. This, of course, is not the truth and the disease is making the decisions. If you or someone you know if suffering from depression, it is important to know that it can be treated and there is help available.
You are not alone. Talking about your problems is the first step to solving them:
National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org
1800-950-NAMI (6264)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Depression and Bi Polar Support Alliance
(A great resource for learning how to deal with people in times of crisis)
www.dbsalliance.org
