Ever felt down in the dumps for a prolonged period of time? Feeling sinking farther and farther into the murky blues, like weighed down by a tremendous anchor? Feeling like nothing in the world can keep you afloat? Or that you are the world class good-for-nothing bum and an absolute waste of space? Well then I reckon it's the time to read this article and analyze yourself, for you exhibit the classic symptoms of depression.
In layman's terms, depression is a deep sinking feeling commonly associated with sadness. People suffering from depression define it as sadness, hopelessness and dejection. The feeling of despondency refuses to fade away and often cannot be attributed to a triggering factor. Depression manifests itself in a wide range of symptoms which commonly includes sleep disturbances (commonly referred to as hypo-somnia or insomnia), appetite disturbances, low mood, hopelessness and lethargy; none of which can be discarded simply at will. These symptoms persist for the minimum period of two weeks at length. You might associate it with the normal 'healthy' depression that you experience as a result of a distressing experience but once this bone-chilling sadness begins to interfere recurrently with your normal routine or diversely influences your psycho-motor skills, well it's time to be serious and face the reality: you have depression.
The first fact you need to realize is that depression is a real illness, a full-blown disorder. Simply put, our brain contains chemicals that are responsible for our moods. Depression disorder is caused by their unprompted imbalance in the brain. Sometimes a person may suffer due to a severe loss but clinical depression is simply a spontaneous malfunctioning in the brain. Thus a person is helpless in respect to this disorder, so you should not conclude that you are somehow responsible for it.
Secondly depression does not only affect the brain but often displays itself physically. It creates and augments all sorts of body aches and pains. These include chronic joint pain, limb pain, back pain, chest pain and headaches. The person feels inexplicable fatigue and weakness and droopy self esteem. Because these symptoms crop up with many conditions, many people never get help, because very few people are able to identify that these are symptoms of depression.
Thirdly, depression deranges your ability to concentrate, analyze and think. Thus people find it hard to focus or make a decision. Their cognitive functions are severely disturbed and they might find it hard to learn or recall events or details.
Fourthly, depression causes a persistent irritability and peevishness and consequently, social impairment. The patient is easily inflamed by the slightest provocation from the family or friends, or can be very touchy about trifling matters. Thus he suddenly finds himself wishing to isolate himself from everybody or hiding his inner feelings from the others. However this self-imposed isolation is the most dangerous of all.
This self imposed isolation is dangerous because the patient often entertains self-destructive thoughts, which leads us to the last truth: suicide. This is the biggest damage depression can cause. The patient has recurrent ideas, thoughts or even daydreams about death, as his life seems to stretch hopeless before him regardless of the fact that he is reasonably well-settled. He thinks about suicide, including the suicide plan, the attempt and the life after. The fact remains that he does not conjure this up by himself; these thoughts are generated by themselves. Thus if the patient shows the slightest indication towards suicide, he should be taken to a hospital and treated by a professional at once, as well monitored vigilantly.
Depression may conceal itself tenfold and strike very subtly, thus one needs to be heedful. Hope this article helps you protect you and your loved ones from this devious killer.
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