I have suffered from depression for many years. It first started when I was in high school and it has been a battle ever since. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Depression is a very real and serious illness that should not be taken lightly. It can be extremely debilitating and make it difficult to function in day-to-day life.
For me, depression has been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. There have been times when I have felt like I am on top of the world and times when I have felt like I am at rock bottom. But no matter how bad things get, I never give up hope. I know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
If you are struggling with depression, know that you are not alone. There is help available. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get the support you need.
Depression is not only a condition characterized by sadness; it’s also a disease that takes away the capacity to feel anything, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Depression has both mental and physical components, as well as thoughts and emotions. Some people in various cultures report feeling sick with severe headaches and terrible pain, which is known as depression, moderate or otherwise. It is a serious problem and must be treated as such.
What are the causes? It is said that depression can be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, trauma, genetics, and certain health conditions. There are different types of depressions: Bipolar disorder, Major depressive disorder (MDD), Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), Situational depression, Atypical depression, Melancholic depression, Catatonic depression, Psychotic depression, Postpartum depression.
There are many symptoms and some of them are: feeling sad or “empty”; decreased interest in activities once enjoyed; insomnia or hypersomnia; fatigue and decreased energy; difficulty concentrate, remember details, and making decisions; feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness; increased appetite or weight gain; increased use of alcohol or drugs.
Depression is more common in women than men. It could be due to the demands of modern life, such as working long hours, being a single parent, caring for an ill relative, or money troubles. Other risk factors include having a family history of depression and previous episodes of depression.
If you are depressed, you may feel like there is no hope and that things will never get better. But there is help available and treatment can make a big difference. Depression is a treatable illness. The first step is to see a doctor or mental health professional to rule out other causes of your symptoms. If you are diagnosed with depression, there are many effective treatments available. These include medications, psychotherapy, and brain stimulation therapies.
Depression is a serious problem, but it is also very treatable. If you think you may be depressed, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with depression will improve and feel better.
The precise cause of depression is unknown, although it has been linked to a variety of factors, such as environment and genetics. Depression affects 20 percent of Americans at some point during their lives, with some people not even knowing they have it. Women are three times more likely than males to be depressed, but when men are unhappy, they are five times more likely to take their own lives.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. Most people with clinical depression do not seek help and instead try to cope with their disease on their own. Depression is a serious medical condition that can be effectively treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Left untreated, it can have devastating consequences, such as suicide.
I am one of the twenty percent of Americans that suffer from depression. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II when I was eighteen years old, though I had been dealing with the symptoms for years before that. Bipolar Disorder II is a form of clinical depression characterized by periods of low moods (known as depressive episodes) and periods of high moods (known as hypomanic episodes).
I have always been a very sensitive person. When something bad happens, I feel it deeply. I also tend to overthink things and dwell on the negative. This makes me susceptible to depressive episodes. I can be in a great mood one day and the next day, for no apparent reason, I can be plunged into a deep depression.
The first time I remember feeling depressed was when I was in fifth grade. My best friend moved away and I felt like I had lost a part of myself. I was sad all the time and had no motivation to do anything. My parents took me to see a therapist but it didn’t help much. The therapist just told me to “snap out of it” and that was not helpful at all.
A few years later, in eighth grade, I was raped by a family member. This was a very traumatic event for me and it sent me into a tailspin of depression. I became withdrawn and stopped doing the things I enjoyed. I had no appetite and lost a lot of weight. I didn’t want to leave my house or see anyone. My grades suffered and I was in danger of not graduating from high school.
Thankfully, with the help of my family and friends, I was able to get through that tough time. But the experience left me with scars that have never fully healed. Even now, nearly fifteen years later, I still struggle with depression. It is something that I have to deal with for the rest of my life.
But I am not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from clinical depression. And it is nothing to be ashamed of. Depression is a real medical condition that should be treated by a qualified professional. If you think you may be depressed, please seek help. There is no shame in getting the help you need to live a happy and healthy life.
The most severe form of depression is referred to as Major Depression. The symptoms of Major Depression are similar to those of other types of depression. You don’t have to be hospitalized or treated with medicine in order to qualify for a diagnosis of Major Depression. Many individuals confuse sadness with major depression. It’s not just a term you may throw around; it’s a serious condition.
Depression is more common in women, but it does not discriminate. Depression has many different faces.
I have personal experience with Major Depression. I am Bipolar and have had Major Depressive episodes since I was around 13 years old. In 2013, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type 2. Bipolar 2 is characterized by more depressive episodes than manic episodes. Bipolar 1 is the opposite; more mania than depression. Some people with Bipolar Disorder only experience one extreme or the other.
There are different types of depressions out there: Situational Depression, Atypical Depression, Melancholic Depression, Psychotic Depression, Postpartum Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), and Bipolar Depression.
Situational Depression is, as it sounds, when something in your life changes and you become depressed because of that change. For example, if you just got divorced or lost your job, those would be things that could lead to Situational Depression. Situational Depression is the most common type of depression.
Atypical Depression is characterized by “mood reactivity” which means that your mood improves in response to positive events. People with Atypical Depression also experience significant weight gain or loss, sleep too much or too little, and have heavy fatigue.
Melancholic Depression is a more severe form of Major Depression. People with Melancholic Depression lose all interest in the things they used to enjoy. They also have a hard time concentrate, experience weight loss or gain, and sleep disorders.
Psychotic Depression is when someone experiences Major Depression as well as Psychosis. Psychosis is when you lose touch with reality. You might see or hear things that are not there or believe things that are not true.
Postpartum Depression is when a mother experiences depression after having a baby. It can happen right after delivery or up to a year later. Postpartum Depression is different from the “baby blues” which is when a mother has mood swings, feels sad, anxious, or overwhelmed for a few days after delivery.
