Depression; The Reality and the Recovery from Chronic Depression

Cases of clinical depression are on the rise today. From teen depression to postpartum depression, it seems as though this disease touches more people than those it ignores. Symptoms of depression are very real and often debilitating, yet many people deny that it is a real disease. If you are suffering from chronic depression, rest assured that you are not alone. Here are some tips you can use to help navigate the dark world of depression and come out a healthier, happier person.

Understanding the Symptoms of Depression

The first step toward overcoming depression is understanding its symptoms. Simply feeling sad or blue does not mean you are depressed. Clinical depression occurs when these normal negative feelings will not go away and begin to interfere with everyday living.

People who are depressed often feel helpless and as though there is no hope for their futures. The activities that used to interest them and bring pleasure suddenly hold no interest. A significant change in appetite, often accompanied by weight changes, can also indicate that depression is present. Difficulty with sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time is another of the symptoms of depression. Overall irritability, difficulty in concentrating, lethargy, and physical pain are all symptoms as well. Depressed people often hate themselves and blame themselves for their problems, whether or not this is justified.

Depression in Teens

Teen depression is a unique situation. Many teens are clinically depressed, but the symptoms do not always resemble the normal symptoms of clinical depression. Instead of feeling sad and despondent, teens usually are highly irritable when they are suffering from chronic depression. Overall grumpiness and hostility often accompany cases of teen depression.

Because teens tend to be grumpy creatures anyways, many parents do not notice the signs of depression in their teenage children. This is dangerous, however, because depressed teens are more likely to behave violently or commit suicide. The best way for a parent to determine if depression is the cause of the mood changes a teen is experiencing is to consider how long the behavior changes have been present. Changes that are present for long periods of time indicate a problem and the teen needs to get help.

Depression and Pregnancy

While all adults can experience depression, women are more prone to the disease than men because of the many hormonal changes they go through. Pregnancy is one of these times. When a woman gets pregnant, the hormonal balance in her body changes tremendously. This can lead many women to experience depression during pregnancy. In a time when a woman should be excited about the future, she instead feels an impending sense of gloom and despair. Depression during pregnancy is not something to take lightly because it is easy for a woman to stop taking care of herself and her unborn baby when suffering from depression.

Many women, as many as 10% of all mothers, will end up with postpartum depression after delivering a baby. These women cannot handle the sudden change in hormones that childbirth brings. Instead of bonding with their babies, they feel a sense of detachment and lack of concern for the new child. This often brings guilt and self-hatred, which causes many depressed women to avoid seeking treatment. Both of these types of depression can easily be treated, so women who experience them should talk to their doctors right away.

Self-Help for Depression

While many cases of clinical depression require professional help, mild cases or cases that have been treated in the past but are cropping up again can be treated at home. This starts with making sure the body is healthy. Follow a depression diet, which is one that is low in refined sugars and high in healthy foods like fresh vegetables and fruit. Also, start getting exercise. Exercise releases endorphins into the blood stream, and these serve to improve the mood almost instantly. While getting up and getting moving is not easy when you are depressed, it really does help. You also need to build a network of support around yourself, and get out of the house frequently as you recover from a bought of depression.

When to Seek Professional Help

Many people who are suffering from clinical depression need professional help. This can be as simple as a medication to balance brain chemicals or more detailed like psychiatric treatment. How can you know if you or someone you love needs professional help?

First, look for self-destructive behaviors. Talk of suicide, leaving the family, or simply giving up are all signs that show that professional help is needed. Also, decide whether or not the person is able to function and live a normal life. When the symptoms of depression make it impossible to go to work or care for their family, they need help. If self-help techniques like following a depression diet are not helping, get professional help. Finally, all children suffering from teen depression need to see a doctor, as teens are very likely to have suicidal thoughts while dealing with chronic depression.