Depression is common. Well, this is the most familiar sentence for everyone who is suffering from the disease. But for those who have it, explaining their feelings can be hard. It is just like telling the patient he is okay because you cannot feel their pain. People with depression may not want to share what they feel. But learning more about depression can help you help someone who has it. Well, the disease is common in everyone and a very interesting thing to know about it is that, mostly professionals and the busy personalities are the sufferers. For example, in a recent study, 28% of lawyers suffered from depression. 29% of young doctors are reported to suffer from depression. Here are few facts that people with depression should know, to understand the disease better.
Depression Look Different for Different People
National Institute for Mental Health lists the following as signs and symptoms of depression:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms
This is just a partial list and not everyone experiences every symptom. Depression is easily spotted when it takes the form that people readily recognize: sadness. So, sadness is the first common symptom that tells that might be the person is suffering from depression.
Fear about Depression is Normal
A very interesting thing to know about depression is that, the fear and feeling of depression is very common in every patient. Many therapists I interviewed for the story all shared that it’s extremely common for those who struggle with depression to have fears, or sometimes even self-loathing, about how they feel.
- Fear of stigma of being diagnosed with depression.
- Fear that they might lose a relationship or their job.
- They erringly believe that feelings of depression mean that they are “crazy.”
- Their culture discourages asking for help with anything that could be seen as a mental disturbance.
Spectrum of Depression
People can mistakenly see depression as being binary. I either have depression or I don’t. However, psychotherapist says that people should view depression as being on a continuum: Thousands of people who don’t seek treatment for depression would if we viewed mental health in our culture as being on a continuum, as opposed to “either I’m crazy or I’m not.” In most of the cases, people would not continue the treatment for the longer time, claiming that they have become healthy and fine now.
People Practice Self-Compassion
There are many times when we can be incredibly judgmental and critical of ourselves and how we feel. Sometimes the person suffering from depression can find himself getting indulged in negative talks. If someone you love, say your child, your spouse, your parent, your best friend, came to you and shared that he or she was struggling with depression, what would you say to him or her? See if you can offer yourself that same level of self-compassion.
Few Helpful Tips for Curing Depression
- If you want to understand the disease then you have to give it a name anything that serves as a reminder that it is something you are experiencing and definitely not something you are.
- Increase the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Light increases serotonin production and lifts the mood.
- Make a schedule to eat, sleep and walk. Depressed people have to schedule these basics because if they wait until they “feel like it,” they may skip it altogether.
- Trying out new adventure or engaging yourself in something important can help to cure the disease.
- Talking to someone regarding the disease, can help a person to recover from the disease.
- Consulting psychiatrist regarding the disease and treatment will also help.
- Develop healthy habits. Schedules help us to develop habits, so healthy schedules become healthy habits that become effortless in time. We build resiliency as we accomplish success.
- Foster good sleep hygiene. Waking at the same time and retiring on schedule daily helps our body to retain an organic acumen for processing emotions and boosting the immune system with rest. Turn off all electronics at least an hour before you plan to retire to bed.
- Body movement activities also help in curing the disease. You should constantly indulge your body in some activity.
- Connection with others is incredibly important.
- Eating healthy is important; a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, low in sugar and caffeine, eliminating processed foods and ensuring hydration, will help the individual to equip themselves with nutritional resources to combat the demands that depression places on their body and mind.
These are few of the important facts about depression. For depression treatment in Delhi, you can contact Dr. Shashi Bhushan, who is a reliable and trusted doctor for the disease treatment.