Living without the Emotional Baggage of Depression:
What You Should Know
What You Should Know
Depression is a reality. In America alone, “an estimated 15.7 million adults aged 18 or older … had at least one major depressive episode” in 2014, according to an NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) report. The figure represents about 6.7 percent of American adults, making depression a very prevalent emotional condition in the country.
NIMH, a federal agency under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), not only provides statistics and conducts and supports research about emotional disorders, it also disseminates information that can help Americans understand their conditions. Some of the most salient ideas that NIMH highlights are the following:
• Depression is a real illness.
• Depression affects people in different ways.
• Depression is treatable.
• If you have depression, you are not alone.
Learning about depression is fundamental if you wish to overcome it. Leaving it untreated is risky. You don’t have to be alone in your quest for better emotional health. Professional help is available.
Depression Is an Emotional Condition
While everyone feels sadness as a natural response to some life events, it is also normal to be able to adjust and move forward after some time. This natural process does not happen when you are saddled by depression.
• Overcoming Depression: Snapping out of depression or willing the signs and symptoms to dissipate, as your family and friends may suggest, may not be possible. Your condition has nothing to do with your character, and it does not mean you are weak as a person. Nobody is immune to depression—anyone can have depression, but some are more vulnerable to it. Like any medical condition, it requires diagnosis and treatment at the hands of a trained professional.
• Signs and Symptoms: Depression goes beyond unhappiness. There are other symptoms: (a) hopelessness and negativity; (b) feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and guilt; (c) loss of enthusiasm, energy, and interest in people or things that matter; (d) drastic weight loss or gain due to loss of appetite or overeating; (e) oversleeping or sleep deprivation; (f) irritability, anger, and restlessness; (g) morbid thoughts and self-harm; and (h) persistent somatic symptoms.
• Causes of Depression: There are several factors that may contribute to the development of depression. The most important ones are genetics, biological attributes, environment, personality, and life experiences. Childhood depression or anxiety and chronic illness can increase a person’s vulnerability to depression.
• Type of Depression: There are also a number of different depressive conditions—major or clinical depression, persistent depressive disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Diagnosis by a professional can identify the type of depression you are experiencing.
How Depression Affects People
Different people may manifest different symptoms because depression affects individuals in different ways and intensity. It is not necessary to manifest all the signs and symptoms to be diagnosed with depression.
• Adults: Men and women generally exhibit different symptoms. According to NIMH, women typically manifest “sadness, worthlessness, and guilt,” while men are “more likely to be very tired, irritable, lose interest in once-pleasurable activities, and have difficulty sleeping.”
• Older adults: They are vulnerable to depression, particularly as they develop chronic disorders—diabetes, hypertension, heart condition, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, etc. They are often undiagnosed because their silence and lack of interest in many things may be misunderstood as a phase typical of those in their senior years. The risk is higher for adults and older adults who have developed depression in childhood or later in life.
• Children: Young people also tend to exhibit different manifestations. Older children can experience school behavior issues, such as difficulty interacting with other children. They may be confused and not understand what’s happening, and express their negative feelings and thoughts by acting irritable and angry. Even babies and preschoolers can have depression. They are often undiagnosed because many parents and medical practitioners think that it is just a passing phase.
• Adolescents: Depression in adolescence can make the teen years doubly difficult. During this challenging phase of life, many teens with depression manifest symptoms that can be mistaken for just being difficult, and they are often undiagnosed. Apart from the usual signs to watch for if you are a parent of a teenager, it pays to look for other issues that may develop as a consequence of worsening depression—eating disorders, self-harm, and substance abuse, among others.
Depression Can Be Treated
There is no reason to stay depressed; the condition is treatable. There are no quick fixes for depression and you will not recover from it overnight, but there is treatment available for you. Even the most serious cases of depression are treatable.
If you have a child who is exhibiting signs of depression or anxiety, don’t waste time. A significant number of adult depression cases actually started as childhood anxiety or depression. If your elderly relative is not being their usual self, act early to give them a better chance to enjoy their twilight years.
Where to Seek Help
If you have seen your health care provider and ruled out the possibility of a medical condition, your next stop is to see a therapist. If you live in North Carolina, call Carolina Counseling Services (CCS) – Pittsboro, NC. CCS contracts with independent therapists who can assess your symptoms and check your family medical history to make a proper diagnosis.
If you are saddled with depression, remember, “You are not alone.” You may feel alone, but you don’t have to be; CCS can help. Keeping your difficulties and sadness all to yourself will not help. You can put an end to the symptoms that make it difficult for you to have an enjoyable and fulfilling life by working with an experienced therapist. Call Carolina Counseling Services (CCS) – Pittsboro, NC, now, so we can work with you to achieve emotional wellness.