A weakening condition that can make it impossible for you to enjoy your daily existence is a real knock out. This term called depression is oftentimes misused especially by youngsters and the youth of today. Millennials would define severe loneliness abruptly as depression. Severe sadness because of natural grieving ( a loss of a loved one) or somehow disappointments and frustrations after frustrations, breaking up in a relationship and other reasons that may cause a feeling of sorrow  and deep unhappiness are but normal reasons for being unhappy, takes a little bit longer and the process of healing is necessary. That is why it is important to delineate the feeling of loneliness and suffering from depressed. So what is the difference? If you are plagued with feelings of overwhelming sadness, loneliness, worthlessness, and cannot imagine that things will get any better, then you may be suffering from depression. This feeling may not have been preceded by any sad circumstances in life or any sad event, meaning- no reason at all to feel down and lonely but you are experiencing it. That would mean real depression. What else? The death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such situations. Those experiencing loss often might describe themselves as being “depressed.”  But being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. They are also different in important ways: In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for most of two weeks.

In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common. For some people, the death of a loved one can bring on major depression. Losing a job or being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can lead to depression for some people. When grief and depression co-exist, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. Despite some overlap between grief and depression, they are different. Distinguishing between them can help people get the help, support or treatment they need.

               So let us get to the bottom, according to American Psychiatric Association (https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression) clinically, depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

So now, what do we understand about its symptoms? Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of energy or increased fatigue, increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others), feeling worthless or guilty, difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide. Symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression. Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumor or vitamin deficiency) can mimic symptoms of depression so it is important to rule out general medical causes. Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression can strike at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances.

Several factors can play a role in depression under the following categories:  Biochemistry – Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression. Genetics – Depression can run in families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of having the illness sometime in life. Personality – People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression. Environmental factors – Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.

How Is Depression Treated? As according to APA: Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

Before a diagnosis or treatment, a health professional should conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and possibly a physical examination. In some cases, a blood test might be done to make sure the depression is not due to a medical condition like a thyroid problem. The evaluation is to identify specific symptoms, medical and family history, cultural factors and environmental factors to arrive at a diagnosis and plan a course of action.

• Medication: Brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression and may factor into their treatment. For this reason, antidepressants might be prescribed to help modify one’s brain chemistry. These medications are not sedatives, “uppers” or tranquilizers. They are not habit-forming. Generally antidepressant medications have no stimulating effect on people not experiencing depression.
• Coupled with Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is sometimes used alone for treatment of mild depression; for moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is often used in along with antidepressant medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT is a form of therapy focused on the present and problem solving. CBT helps a person to recognize distorted thinking and then change behaviors and thinking.

There are a number of things people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression. For many people, regular exercise helps create positive feeling and improve mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) can also help reduce symptoms of depression.  

Above all, here are some Self-help and Coping activities one may do from the 6 Truths about Depression and How to Overcome It by Lisa Firestone of Huffingtonpost.com and Signs & Symptoms of Depression at helpguide.org. Some guidelines can be used to alleviate the feeling of depression as follows:

               Recognize that you are suffering from depression. Though depression is different from every person, there are few signs that mean that you are having much more than just a bad day.

               Search for a personal cause. Though your depression may not be caused by the situations in your life, there is a good chance that specific people or events in your life may be making you deeply unhappy.

               Start a journal. Writing in a journal can make you feel more in touch with your thoughts, less alone, and more aware of the things that make you happy or unhappy.

               Implement some drastic changes. Take a deep breath and start cutting the undesirable elements out of your life. List down things you think you do not need and start withdrawing from them gradually.

               Maintain a busy schedule.  You can draw up a schedule for each day every week and make a goal of sticking to it. Don’t forget to list also things you enjoy doing with as your recreation.

               Maintain Healthy Relationship. You should rely heavily on your network of friends and family members, as well as your significant other if you have one. They can make you feel more loved and supportive.

               Be more generous. Being generous will increase your self-worth and will make you realize there are many people out there who need you.

               Find a new passion. A passion can be anything you care deeply about, even if it’s not something you are good at – yet.

               Improve your sleeping habits. Find a sleeping routine that is comfortable and good for your health.

               Exercise. Exercising will make you energetic and motivated throughout the day. Find an exercise plan that works for you and stick to it.

Improve your diet. Eating healthier food regularly will improve your mental and physical state.

Think positively. Try to recognize your negative thoughts and to fight them with stronger positive vibes. Find things to be grateful for and happy about every single day.

Improve your appearance. If you take more time to maintain your looks and hygiene every day, you will feel better about yourself.

For people struggling with depression, it is important to have compassion for yourself and to take actions to overcome this state. Remember that no matter what your critical inner voice may be telling you, the situation is far from hopeless. There is good help available and many active ways to treat your condition.

 

By: Jennlyn Y. Dizon |Guidance Counselor II | BNHS Senior HighSchool | Balanga, Bataan