You know that feeling? The one that comes over you when you’re at your lowest? The one that makes you want to hide under the covers and never come out? The one that makes you want to puke? The one that makes you want to commit suicide? That’s depression. Or as some people call it – anxiety. Depression is a clinical diagnosis made after a doctor confirms with authorities that an individual is suffering from the mental illness. It is a serious condition but it can be treated and can last for as long as the person suffering from it. However, for some of us, even the thought of getting better makes us ill. And treatment doesn’t always work for everyone, leaving them feeling like cheat code for negative thinking and sleeping all day.
Where did depression come from?
The first signs of depression are anxiety and depression are related. The more you worry about something, the more likely you are to feel down about it. Depression is a result of changes in the brain’s chemistry, which is also called “biochemistry”. The chemicals in your brain are similar to those in your blood, and when you feel bad, you experience a low mood, more stressed out feeling, an increased appetite, and increased levels of cortisol, which triggers an “fight or flight” response in your body.
What is the difference between depression and anxiety?
The main difference between depression and anxiety is that one affects you and the other affects your loved ones. Anxiety can also be described as a “fear of” something, while depression can be described as “a loss of” something. When you have depression, you usually experience the loss of pleasure or interest in things that used to bring you joy. You may also have less energy and a lower mood. Anxiety, on the other hand, usually affects your attention and ability to think clearly. You might feel tense or jittery when you worry, and your focus and concentration may become disturbed. On the other hand, feelings of guilt or shame are quite common with anxiety, so you may feel bad about being afraid or guilty about something.
The causes of Depression
There are many different causes of depression. Some of the more common ones are listed below. Being in a relationship Excessive stress - from work, school, or other commitments Life Changes - Moving, Getting married, Facing death, Birth of a Child, Grieving, Financing a Wedding Excessive weight - Obese people are more likely to develop depression Anxiety - Something you may worry about the most, but which can also cause feelings of shyness or self-consciousness
How to recognize if you have Depression
When you have depression, you usually show the following symptoms: Fatigue - You don’t feel as alert or energetic as you used to. You also have trouble getting through the day without strict timeouts: “I have to take a nap, I have to wash the car, I have to …” Sleepiness - You feel less alert when you are asleep than when you’re awake. You may also have trouble waking up in the morning. Change in appetite - You’re usually hungry most of the time, but you’re not super hungry. You may also be able to eat a certain thing but not gain weight from it. Losing interest in things - You’re not as interested in the things you used to enjoy as you are now. You may even be able to do basic housework without thinking about it.
How to handle the symptoms of depression
When you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, it’s natural to want to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. But that only makes things worse. You need to talk to a professional about how to deal with the symptoms of depression and anxiety because self-medication only leads to more stress and unhappiness. You also need to learn to recognize the symptoms of anxiety in yourself so you don’t end up over-medicating. Your doctor can help you with that but it’s easier to spot the signs on yourself.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling down or jittery, it’s important to get help for the depression that is nagging at you. You can’t “beat” depression and you can’t “fake” your way through it. The only person who can make a difference is you. So, instead of giving up and letting depression get the best of you, use this guide to find a support group, get your medication, or learn some self-help techniques that will get you through the day.