The World Health Organization says that one of the leading causes of disability is depression. In 2020, at least 260 million individuals were diagnosed to be depressed. It’s a staggering and unfortunate number of people whose sickness is often misunderstood. What is depression, anyway?
A common but serious medical condition, major depressive disorder or depression, affects how you think, feel, and act. It causes intrusive feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and even loss of interest in things you used to love. Those who suffer from it often have trouble in school or at work. In fact, it’s a leading cause of academic failure. Often, those with depression find it difficult to find work or stay employed.
Accordingly, while people typically have mental concerns from time to time, they can develop into disorders when the problems become obstinate and affect the individual‘s ability to function. Overall, it diminishes an individual‘s capacity to deal with the ordinary demands of life. Let’s examine some of the symptoms you need to watch out for so you can get the treatment and therapy you need as soon as possible.
You’ve Got the Depression Blues
You’re always sad. Your mood is low, and you have nagging negative thoughts. You might think it’s normal, but is it? Is it normal to feel as though you’re worthless, you’re not enough, and you’re wrong all the time? Where do we draw the line?
Professionals in the medical field use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to differentiate sadness from depression. Sadness is a typical emotional response to various triggers. What makes you sad?
People can be sad because their favorite team lost the game they were playing, or perhaps you lost in a game. People can also be unhappy when they don’t pass a test or don’t get the promotion they wanted. There are many reasons a person can be sad. So what’s the difference?
Depression is not a normal emotional response. It’s a sickness that causes persistent and significant sadness that lasts for weeks on end. It induces feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness. In other words, the difference between sadness and depression is intensity and duration.
Your Battery Is Always Low
You’re always tired, and you don’t feel like you have the energy to do anything—even simple tasks, such as taking care of yourself. If you’re constantly exhausted, you might need to seek a professional for chronic fatigue help. However, how can you differentiate between ordinary tiredness and depression?
The difference lies in the fact that being tired is ordinarily caused by some physical or mental work. You’re tired because you just finished mowing the lawn or doing your homework. You may also be tired after exercising or reading a book.
It becomes a telling sign of depression when you’re exhausted even after getting a good rest, accompanied by the blues we talked about earlier. Remember, what differentiates depression from otherwise everyday things are intensity and duration. So, have you been feeling low and tired for at least a couple of weeks?
You Have Trouble Sleeping
Having depression can cause you to sleep too much or not sleep at all. Ask yourself: have you been staying in bed too much lately, or have you been losing sleep? Couple this with blues, and you can have the perfect combination of depression.
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness can induce insomnia, a sleeping disorder that commonly accompanies depression. This causes an individual to have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. Insomnia is the leading cause of sleep disorders in the United States.
Oversleeping is also one of the signs you need to look out for. It’s a symptom that makes a person feel sleepy throughout the day. Often, napping won’t even relieve this symptom. Due to the constant need for sleep, the individual feels tired and struggles to concentrate.
It’s important to remember that depression is an actual illness, not a means to gain attention. It’s not a weakness in character; it’s a hereditary medical condition that affects the quality of life people live. It’s about time that people realize how important it is to be kind and compassionate to those suffering from it.
It’s also important to remember that the earlier you catch the signs, the more promptly you can receive treatment and therapy. Understand that when you notice these changes, the only definitive way to determine whether you have depression or not is to go to a medical professional. That’s why it’s essential to watch out for the symptoms and learn when to ask for professional help.
