Depression is a debilitating
mental disorder that could be a result of
physical health problems, chemical imbalances,
stressful or traumatic events, and possibly
heredity. It affects your behavior towards
yourself, the people around you, your work,
your hobbies - in short - your life. How
do you know if you are depressed? Here are
a few signals that you should look out for:
• Lack of interest
in activities that you formerly enjoyed
• Feeling sad, worthless, helpless,
or empty; crying spells
• Pessimistic approach to life; feelings
of hopelessness or futility
• Change in sleeping pattern, sleeping
too much or too little, trouble falling
asleep, waking up several times during the
night
• Unexplained changes in weight or
appetite
• Constant restlessness and anxiety
• Easily annoyed or irritable without
reason
• Lower concentration levels, indecisiveness,
impractical thought process
• Feeling dull or tired all the time,
very low levels of energy
• Persistent thoughts of death or
suicide
• Feelings of excessive guilt
If you experience the above for more than
two weeks, you may be depressed. That is,
however, not necessarily true. Don’t
diagnose yourself. The best course of action
is to consult a psychologist.
If you are diagnosed with depression, then
there are two main steps towards treating
depression - medication and counseling.
Depending on the severity of your depression,
your psychologist may prescribe antidepressants
or mood-stabilizing drugs. Along with medication,
it is advisable to see a psychotherapist
or a counselor to address the non-physiological
issues that contribute to depression. If
you are severely depressed, your doctor
may recommend electroconvulsive therapy
(passing electrical currents through the
electrodes to your brain). Your body and
mind need time to adapt to the treatment,
so do not be discouraged and give up if
you do not see immediate results. However,
if you find little or no change after a
prolonged period, talk to your doctor.
A good doctor and the correct medication
will erase the effects of depression in
time. Meanwhile, eat healthy, avoid alcohol,
exercise, and take your medication regularly.
Make a conscious effort to resume normal
activities. Interact with your friends and
family; allow them to help you through the
tougher days.
With all-round treatment, the effects of
depression will soon wear off, and you will
be a happier, healthier individual enjoying
every bit of your life.
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