Recognizing the Symptoms of Depression
Always feeling under the weather?
Always not in the mood to be around others and have a good time?
Always feeling tired and worn out?
If you have been suffering from prolonged sadness for quite some time now, you may be suffering bouts of depression. Recognizing these prolonged symptoms is the first step in dealing with depression.
The second step is to visit your doctor and get yourself diagnosed. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist who can further diagnose why you are feeling this way.
Depression or prolonged sadness is actually quite common in the United States, around 9.5 percent of the American population actually suffer from this illness. Unfortunately, not all of them get to be treated, thus, depression and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to some individuals.
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Are you Depressed?
Recognizing Depression
Depression can easily get in the way of an individual's daily activities and his or her's normal functions, one's zest for life can quickly and easily dissipate due to depression. So in place of an individual's sunny disposition is more or less a person who hates his or herself, having no self-confidence, trying to isolate one's self from the world and basically just not caring about living any more. More so, a person suffering from depression isn't the only one who's going to suffer from this destructive illness, his or her loved ones are sure to follow suit.
Still, people tend to not recognize depression. Being honest with one's self is key to being able to cure such an illness. Never overlook the various symptoms, depressed individuals often exhibit uncharacteristic behaviors such as suddenly lacking interest in one's hobbies or other stuff that he or she usually enjoys. Sleeps too much or suffers from insomnia, suddenly becoming anti-social, talks a lot about death or being a worthless person. There are many other symptoms but if you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Still, people tend to not recognize depression. Being honest with one's self is key to being able to cure such an illness. Never overlook the various symptoms, depressed individuals often exhibit uncharacteristic behaviors such as suddenly lacking interest in one's hobbies or other stuff that he or she usually enjoys. Sleeps too much or suffers from insomnia, suddenly becoming anti-social, talks a lot about death or being a worthless person. There are many other symptoms but if you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Self Help for Depression
Books on Depression
Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/19/2008)
I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/19/2008)
SOS Help for Emotions: Managing Anxiety, Anger, and Depression
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/19/2008)
Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/19/2008)
Undoing Depression
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/19/2008)
Facing Depression Head On
Dealing with Depression
This illness may seem quite simple to treat but in reality, it takes more than a little cheering up to actually cure depression. Constant visits to a cognitive behavior therapist is a must, as well as taking all the prescribed medicines that the doctor will ask the patient to take. None of these exactly come cheap, but the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of depression is enough reason already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on.
Fortunately depression can now be cured, especially when diagnosed early. Depressed individuals can actually be treated through therapy and medication, although it may be a bit costly, a person's good mental health is something that shouldn't be scrimped on. Cognitive behavioral talk or interpersonal talk are just some of the available psychosocial treatments that cognitive behavior therapists can offer to their patients. Both actually prove to be able to produce fruitful and positive results.
Depression shouldn't be something that people fear. Instead, people should just start taking charge of their lives and actually face this illness and fight it. Life is too beautiful a gift to waste and if one spends the majority of his or her life just moping around then what kind of life would that be? Depression may not kill one's body but it can certainly kill one's spirit if you let it. Don't be a victim.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Know What to Look For
There are certain signs and symptoms that characterize clinical depression. These signs and symptoms include:
- the inability to concentrate
- a loss of appetite
- feelings of extreme sadness
- helplessness
- guilt
- hopelessness
- insomnia
- thoughts of death
- difficulty making decisions
- an "empty" mood
- fatigue
- irregular sleeping hours
- a loss of interest in things that the person use to enjoy
- irritability
Of course these signs and symptoms may actually vary from person to person.
Music to Help Fight Depressed Moods
My favorite anti-depression music
Listening to music can help you when you're feeling depressed. Not all music is helpfull, mind you, so you must choose carefully. Pick music that is up-beat and mostly Instrumental, if not completely Instrumental.Close your eyes, think, dream, wander. Let the music take you away, far away. Think of nothing but the music you hear, ignore everything else. Headphones are helpfull for this.
Just click on the pictures and you will be taken to my lenses that have the corresponding artists music to listen to.
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Physical Signs and Symptoms
Your Body May be Affected as Well
Depression also has some physical signs and symptoms which include:
- headaches or migrains
- back pain
- muscle aches
- joint pain
- digestive problems (this could be in the form of a feeling of either queasiness or nauseous)
- diarrhea
- chronic constipation
- change in appetite or weight
- a loss of appetite or a craving for certain foods such as carbohydrates
- chest pains
If you do have chest pain, you should get it checked out immediately because it could also be a sign of a serious health problem. Some people may already have these problems and thus they may get worse whenever the person becomes depressed.
Soothing Music on Amazon
Music to help you out of your "Blue Mood"
Instrumental Paradise Volume 8
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Liquid Mind III: Balance
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Pure New Age Moods: A 5 Disc CD/DVD Box Set with 37 Audio Tracks and over 4 Hours of Soothing New Age Music from all Four Corners of the Globe!
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 07/19/2008)
Instrumental Imagery Volume 3
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Instrumental Odyssey Volume 2
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Symptoms of Depression Vary
We're Not All The Same
As you can see, depression has numerous different signs and symptoms. Two of the most common reasons why these things appear include:
· A person may lose their job when their company downsizes. While this may not be difficult to deal with in the beginning while they are spending a lot of time sending out their resume and hunting for jobs, but after a while this job-hunting may cause the person to become so weary that all they do is sit in front of the TV all day acting irritable.
· Many senior citizens are quite active before the death of their mate and the worsening of their own health. Once this happens though, all the person may want to do is stay in the house, with their curtains closed, unless they have a doctor appointment.
While these are the main signs and symptoms of depression, they are not the only ones. Some adults grow depressed after having been abused or neglected as a child. Of course, everyone may feel sad or depressed upon occasion. At these times this depression can be managed through natural remedies. Some of the things that can be done include learning a hobby, becoming involved in sports, or getting some exercise. If these things do not work for a person then they really should talk to their doctor.
Sometimes a person may become so debilitated by the signs and symptoms of depression that someone actually needs to step in and help them. Of course, the person may not want to be helped, but when you see that something is interfering with a person's ability to think, work, eat, sleep, enjoy being with others, or care for themselves then you have no choice but to step in to help them. This is especially important when the person begins to think or talk about death, harming themselves, committing suicide, or harming someone else. While the person may not actually make mention of these things, you can tell when they begin thinking about these things because they will start to give away the possessions that they value the most. It is then that a person is in definite need of help, even though they may not ask for it.
· A person may lose their job when their company downsizes. While this may not be difficult to deal with in the beginning while they are spending a lot of time sending out their resume and hunting for jobs, but after a while this job-hunting may cause the person to become so weary that all they do is sit in front of the TV all day acting irritable.
· Many senior citizens are quite active before the death of their mate and the worsening of their own health. Once this happens though, all the person may want to do is stay in the house, with their curtains closed, unless they have a doctor appointment.
While these are the main signs and symptoms of depression, they are not the only ones. Some adults grow depressed after having been abused or neglected as a child. Of course, everyone may feel sad or depressed upon occasion. At these times this depression can be managed through natural remedies. Some of the things that can be done include learning a hobby, becoming involved in sports, or getting some exercise. If these things do not work for a person then they really should talk to their doctor.
Sometimes a person may become so debilitated by the signs and symptoms of depression that someone actually needs to step in and help them. Of course, the person may not want to be helped, but when you see that something is interfering with a person's ability to think, work, eat, sleep, enjoy being with others, or care for themselves then you have no choice but to step in to help them. This is especially important when the person begins to think or talk about death, harming themselves, committing suicide, or harming someone else. While the person may not actually make mention of these things, you can tell when they begin thinking about these things because they will start to give away the possessions that they value the most. It is then that a person is in definite need of help, even though they may not ask for it.
Types of Depression
There are various subtypes of depression that a person should know about. These subtypes of depression are based upon the symptoms that a patient exhibits. Although depression is a blanket statement for many mood disorders, there are also many variations between the types of depression.
Mono-Polar
The first subtype of depression is called mono-polar depression. This is also known as dysthymic disorder and it only consists of depressive symptoms. When a person has this form of depression, it will not interfere with their ability to work or participate in social activities. There are some more severe cases of this form of depression where these things can be affected though.
Bipolar
Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic-depressive disease or cyclothymic disorder, is the second subtype of depression. With this form of depression a person alternates between mood levels that are either depressive or manic. While in the manic phase a person may show symptoms of increased mental and physical activity. This person will also have a difficult time sleeping and thus they will not be able to concentrate properly whenever they are awake. It is possible for a person to only have a mild form of bipolar disorder. This is what is called "cyclthymic disorder."
Manic Depression
Another subtype of depression is known as manic disorder. While this type of depression acts in the same way as bipolar disorder, the depressive state has not yet taken place. This form of depression is characterized by an abnormally elevated mood, which is accompanied by unrealistic optimism, a lack of sleep, and hyperactivity.
Types of Depression (cont...)
Physical
Physical disease is also able to cause another subtype of depression. The diseases that most commonly cause depressive symptoms include hypertension, hypothyroidism, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, and Cushing's syndrome. It is also possible for a lengthy illness, such as the flu, to trigger this subtype of depression.
Postpartum
Postpartum depression is a subtype of depression that sometimes occurs after a woman gives birth. The cause of this is the physical and mental fatigue that a woman experiences after this process, which can drain the body of important nutrients and thus cause depression.
Seasonal Affective
The final subtype of depression is Seasonal Affective Disorder. This subtype of depression occurs throughout the cold, dark wintertime. Once it warms up and the sun comes back out in the springtime, usually this subtype of depression will go away since sunlight stimulates the brain in a positive manner which does not happen whenever there is a lack of light.
Physical disease is also able to cause another subtype of depression. The diseases that most commonly cause depressive symptoms include hypertension, hypothyroidism, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, and Cushing's syndrome. It is also possible for a lengthy illness, such as the flu, to trigger this subtype of depression.
Postpartum
Postpartum depression is a subtype of depression that sometimes occurs after a woman gives birth. The cause of this is the physical and mental fatigue that a woman experiences after this process, which can drain the body of important nutrients and thus cause depression.
Seasonal Affective
The final subtype of depression is Seasonal Affective Disorder. This subtype of depression occurs throughout the cold, dark wintertime. Once it warms up and the sun comes back out in the springtime, usually this subtype of depression will go away since sunlight stimulates the brain in a positive manner which does not happen whenever there is a lack of light.
Depression Self Help
Books on Depression
The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/19/2008)
Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/19/2008)
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/19/2008)
What Causes Depression?
There are many factors for depression. These things can either act alone or in combination with each other in order to cause you to feel depressed. Here are the 3 main factors for depression:
Environmental
Environmental factors for depression occur whenever you react to an event that has happened. Usually this has to do with a great loss (i.e. A death in the family) or change in your environment (this is especially true for children who have to move from one province to another). These things are quite obvious but there are also things that are a lot less obvious such as being greatly disappointed by the way that you see your career going. It is also possible that you may be depressed because you feel as though you are stuck in a monotonous lifestyle and thus you do not have anything that you can look forward to. At times like this you may feel as though you do not have any control over your life. This is enough to make you feel depressed. Other things that commonly lead a person to become depressed include: financial difficulties, domestic disputes, and being unable to express your feelings.
Psychological
Studies have shown that internal things can lead you to have psychological factors for depression. If you have a pessimistic outlook on life, or if you do not have good self-esteem, then it is possible that you could become depressed. An illness, or a change in an illness, can also cause you to become depressed. It has also been shown by various studies that depression is a "natural" part of a cardiovascular disorder.
Physiological
There are also physiological factors that lead to such forms of depression as clinical depression. Here it has been shown that certain personality types are affected by the things that happen in your life and that this will in turn influence your mood. This is something that doctors are still studying. It is difficult to study this though because the casual relationship with biological variables is unknown. For this reason it is difficult to pinpoint the condition's roots. However, there are definitely some physiological factors that do cause depression, including:
There are also physiological factors that lead to such forms of depression as clinical depression. Here it has been shown that certain personality types are affected by the things that happen in your life and that this will in turn influence your mood. This is something that doctors are still studying. It is difficult to study this though because the casual relationship with biological variables is unknown. For this reason it is difficult to pinpoint the condition's roots. However, there are definitely some physiological factors that do cause depression, including:
- There may be a genetic disposition toward depression.
- If you have a low level of dopamine when you undergo a lot of stress you will most likely become depressed.
- Sleep patterns that are very radical can cause your body to feel out of whack and thus it is possible for depression to occur.
- Many women suffer from depression due to a hormone imbalance that occurs either during PMS or menopause.
- Males can also undergo a testosterone imbalance that causes them to become depressed.
- Certain medications, such as corticosteroids can lead to depression.
- A chronic illness causes many people to become depressed.
- The changes in season, thus causing a lack of sunlight, will lead to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
- Any of these aforementioned factors for depression may be at work within a depressed person. These factors can either work alone or in combination with one another to contribute to depression. If any of these factors are present in your life then you can now understand why you are depressed.
More on Depression
- Coping with the stress of back pain, using your powerful mind
- When you are coping with back pain and sciatica symptoms and especially if you are in a lot of pain or the symptoms go on a while you may be familiar with the three monsters of anxiety , stress and depression. There is currently debate over whether back pain causes depression or depression causes ba
Let me Know What You Think
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Ileneonhealth
Great lens. Keep up the good work! Posted July 10, 2008 |
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health_advisor
Very informative. Posted July 08, 2008 |
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AshleyBretting-M.S.
Nice job here, please visit me at wwww.squidoo.com/psychotherapist or at www.ashleybretting.com Posted July 05, 2008 |
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qlcoach
Yes,a 5 star site indeed. I try to help people everyday overcome their mood disorders and more. Please feel free to interact with my site too: Posted July 01, 2008 |
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beeobrien
You have an excellent lens here with a wealth of useful information. I also have suffered from depression for many years. It's a constant battle. Posted June 28, 2008 |
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JohnNilsen1108
Great Little Lense to Model After for newbies 5 stars.Check out my lense and tell me what you think. Posted June 26, 2008 |
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MonsterTruck
Excellent lens. Great info and layout. 5 stars for you. Posted June 25, 2008 |
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richgerman
hi douge thank you so much for this lens and let everyone knows about this information:) i know this will really helpful to everyone and somehow they can understand the feeling what they have. and especially to those who are bothered internally and can't rid things off in your mind you can visit my lens or my site for meditation techniques! 5 stars for you! Posted June 23, 2008 |
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Sallymae
Great Work. Good info for everyone to have. Posted June 21, 2008 |
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ShannonC
Informative lens...good work :) Posted June 16, 2008 |
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