DEPRESSION

While feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life, depression is much more than temporary feelings of sadness and disappointment.

Depression is a common illness that affects many people throughout the world. Statistics indicate that 10-15% of all people will suffer from depression during their lifetime. This means that each one of us runs a 10-15% risk of suffering from clinical depression in our lifetime! It is more common in women and the elderly. Rates of depression in women are twice as high as in men.

Depression makes it very difficult to enjoy life and to function like you have been used. It is important ti emphasize that sadness and down swings in mood are normal reactions to struggles, disappointments and challenges in life. Many people describe these feelings as depression but clinical depression is much more than just down swing in mood and sadness.

Some people with clinical depression describe it like living in a dark pit or having feelings of utter helplessness and hopelessness. On the other hand, some people don’t feel sad at all, they may feel lifeless, empty, apathetic or constantly tired. Others experience a variety of pains all over which their doctors can’t make sense of. Men may just feel angry, irritable, aggressive and restless.

Clinical depression is characterized by sadness, loss of interest, loss of pleasure in normal life events, feelings of guilt, inactivity, loss of sleep or sleeping too much, difficulties with thinking, diminished concentration, significant lack of appetite or eating too much, feeling dejection, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, unexplainable fatigue, global loss of interest, irritability, anger, aggressive behavior, crying spells, restlessness, apathy, feeling empty and lifeless, general sense of being slowed down, procrastination, indecision, recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideas and multiple pains all over the body that have no clear cut medical explanation.

As a result of all the above , depression interferes with every aspect of normal life. It interferes with how you feel, think, behave and even with how you look. Without intervention the signs and symptoms of depression are intense, unrelenting and depilating.

Are you depressed?

Should you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms that won’t go away, you are likely to be suffering from clinical depression:

• You have prominent and persistent depressed mood characterized by sadness, tearfulness

• You experience markedly diminished interest in most of your normal activities

• You have trouble sleeping through the night

• You have too much sleep and don’t seem to have enough rest

• You can’t concentrate or find normally easy tasks are now difficult

• You can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how hard you try

• You have lost appetite and have no desire for food even when you feel hungry and have lost weight

• You can’t stop eating

• You have difficulties in thinking things through and making decisions

• You have feelings of worthlessness and very low self esteem

• You feel hopeless and helpless

• You are much more irritable, short-tempered or more aggressive than usual

• You are consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior

• You have thoughts that is not worth living, with recurrent thoughts of death or suicide ( seek help immediately if this is the case)

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.

• Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.

• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.

• Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).

• Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.

• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.

• Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.

• Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.

• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.

• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain. (Melinda S, Robert S, and Jeanne S April 2015, www.helpguide.org/depression)

Next Blog: Different faces of depression