Summer is almost here. This could be a great time for going to the park, beaches and far away trips. For some, it may be a sad time. This is common and most of us experience these feelings once in a while.
Depression is different. Depression is a feeling of sadness, or misery over a long period of time. When someone dies, we end a relationship, get terminated at work or have a bad experience with our children, we become sad and/or angry. The difference between being sad and depressed is that depression lasts much longer. It is considered a mood disorder and there are symptoms that go along with it. Major life events such as divorce, abuse, and/or social isolation can cause us to become depressed.
People with depression experience feelings of hopelessness. They do not see the light at the end of the tunnel. They have a difficult time sleeping. Alcohol and/or drug abuse can cause this depression to become more severe. Sometimes people have a beer or two to cheer up or be happy. Actually, alcohol is considered a depressant and can make you feel worse. The temporary high will disappear and the depression sets in.
Depression causes one to feel low about oneself. It is difficult to concentrate. There is a lack of energy. Sometimes, it is hard to get out of bed. Many times, it is difficult to fall asleep. Some people don’t sleep and some sleep all the time. Either case is usually extreme.
Severe depression is dangerous as it may cause hallucinations or delusions. These may come in the form of voices, and bad thoughts.
According to research, major depression is caused when a person reports five or more depressive symptoms for at least two weeks. This type of depression may require medication. Please remember that all medications have side effects. There needs to be a clear understanding as to what these are. All medications can only be prescribed by a medical doctor.
Severe depression may also cause a person to be hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. In the hospital, both medication and psychotherapy are used as treatment. A person may take the medication and receive psychotherapy with gradual withdrawal of the medication.
There are various forms of therapy for depression. These include talk therapy where the person talks out his feelings and thoughts. It also provides strategies for ways to cope with the identified issues. It also helps with problem-solving and provides an opportunity for awareness as to how and why one is depressed.
Other forms of therapy are support groups where individuals share their feelings, pain, anger and group members along with a facilitator help each other. The benefit is that one gets to see hear from others like oneself with similar issues. This makes it easier to share.
The complications related to depression are usually an increase in alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes there is an increase in problems with physical health. Suicide is higher for those with a major depressive disorder.
If you are feeling sad or unhappy over a period of time, you should seek help from a therapist and/or a medical doctor. If you find yourself crying frequently and cannot concentrate at work or home, you need help. If you see yourself drinking excessively because you are feeling down, you should seek professional help. If you go to your medical doctor and ask for a referral, you should be able to get help from a mental health specialist. If the depression is severe, the medical doctor will prescribe medication. Don’t sit home knowing that you should be getting some help. We all have problems…some more severe than others. Please get the help you need. Don’t wait...time is running.
Source used: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gove/pubmedhealth/PMH0001941/
You can always email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Attn: Dr. Mercedes Valle
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