Why People Suffering From Depression Feel They Are Alone?

Scientifically speaking, there are certain factors that cause us to feel as we do. Chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, control our moods. When these chemicals fall beyond their normal levels, negative mood manifestations are very likely to happen.

One specific feeling one experiences is that of being alone. Depressed individuals tend to believe that they are the only ones suffering, that they are the only ones being made to suffer, or that they are the only ones who deserve to suffer. These feelings can be mild at first, but without the proper management, these can become intense to the point that they can affect one's health or inflict pain to other persons.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression Requiring Help

Depression usually occurs following a stressful event or a traumatic experience. In many cases, the feelings of sadness fade in due time. But there are times when they do not. If you or someone you know is in a depressed state, observe the presence of the following signs and symptoms:

extreme feelings of sadness

withdrawn and aloof

lack of or no interest at all to perform daily tasks

fatigue or lack of energy

sleeplessness or insomnia

oversleeping

loss of appetite

overeating

These signs and symptoms can affect one's physical health in a big way, the reason why necessary measures are called for. Besides, uncontrolled depression can progress into a major depressive disorder which can mean bigger trouble for the affected individual.

Some Helpful Coping Mechanisms

If you know someone who is under the state of depression, helping him/her cope with it in a constructive way is very important. Some coping mechanisms that will be useful under the circumstances include:

Talking. Get your loved one to talk about his/her feelings, but never judge him/her. Your opinion is not what matters here; rather it's your simply being there that's more important.

Take your loved one to an empty room where he/she can be free to shout or to cry his/her feelings out. Taking it out on the wall is way better than taking it out on someone else.

Treat your loved one out. Don't allow your loved on to wallow in self-pity. Get him/her out of his/her shell to watch the beautiful surroundings and kids playing around, or simply to enjoy the sun. These things can do a lot of wonders to one's mood.

Take a break from work or go out of town. Sometimes a change of scenery is all one needs to bounce back.

Depression shouldn't last longer than a couple of weeks. If it does, and if it is accompanied by signs and symptoms that affect one's health in one way or the other, medical approaches have to be instituted to prevent a worsening case. Remember, once, depression has turned into a full-blown mental disorder, it will be very difficult to treat it. In fact, there is no cure for the likes of Bipolar or Manic Depressive Disorder, although there are means you can control it.

The first thing you can try to do, then, is to convince your friend to see a psychotherapist. A psychotherapist is someone who has had training and skills in dealing with depressed individuals. He/she properly assesses the case of the depressed individual, considering historical facts and physical manifestations among others. The psychotherapist then helps the individual come to a better understanding of his/her depression and assists him/her also in making and carrying out plans and objectives.

Along with psychotherapy, taking depression medications may be necessary. However, medications for depression come with many side effects. It's important that your patient is made to fully understand the necessity of taking medications and the risks associated with these drugs.