Learn To Fight Depression

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It can be defined as a feeling of loss, anger, or sadness that interferes with the daily activities.

It is also fairly common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 8.1% of American adults aged 20 and over had depression in any given two-week period from 2013 to 2016.

People experience depression in different ways. It can interfere with the day-to-day job, contributing to lost time and lower productivity.  It can also influence relationships and certain underlying health conditions.

Conditions that can get worse due to depression include:

·         cardiovascular disease

·         cancer

·         arthritis

·         asthma

·         obesity

·         diabetes

It's essential to realize that feeling down at times is a part of life. Upsetting and sad things happen to everyone. But, if you feel down or hopeless daily, you may be struggling with depression.

Depression is considered a significant medical disorder that may get worse without adequate treatment. People seeking treatment also see improvements in symptoms in few weeks.

Depression symptoms

Depression can be more than a persistent state of sadness or feeling "blue." 

Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some influence your mood, and others influence your body. Symptoms may also be persistent or come and go.

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among women, men, and children.

Men may experience symptoms associated with:

·         mood, such as aggressiveness, irritability, anger, restlessness, anxiousness

·         emotional wellbeing, such as feeling sad, hopeless, empty

·         behavior, such as no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, loss of interest, feeling tired easily, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities, thoughts of suicide,

·         sexual interest, such as lack of sexual performance, reduced sexual desire

·         cognitive abilities, such as difficulty completing tasks, inability to concentrate, delayed responses during conversations

·         physical wellbeing, such as pains, headache, fatigue, digestive problems

·         sleep patterns, such as restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, insomnia, not sleeping through the night

Women may experience symptoms related to their:

·         emotional wellbeing, such as feeling empty or sad, hopeless or anxious

·         mood, such as irritability

·         behavior, such as withdrawing from social engagements, loss of interest in activities, thoughts of suicide

·         sleep patterns, such as waking early, sleeping too much, difficulty sleeping through the night

·         cognitive abilities, such as talking more slowly, or thinking

·         physical wellbeing, such as greater fatigue, changes in appetite, decreased energy, pain, headaches, increased cramps, weight changes, aches

Children may experience symptoms related to their:

·         mood, such as crying, anger, mood swings,  irritability

·         emotional wellbeing, such as intense sadness, feelings of incompetence (e.g., "I can't do anything right"), or despair

·         behavior, such as refusing to go to school or getting into trouble at school, avoiding siblings or  friends, thoughts of suicide

·         cognitive abilities, such as a decline in school performance, difficulty concentrating, changes in grades

·         physical wellbeing, such as digestive problems, changes in appetite, loss of energy, weight gain, or loss

·         sleep patterns, such as sleeping too much or difficulty sleeping

The symptoms can extend beyond your mind.

 

USING SELF-EMPOWERMENT TO COMBAT ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION 

It all boils down to your "self." Whichever way you look at it, regardless of what transpires in your external environment, none of these would ever hold the slightest meaning in your life if you choose to be dead to all of it. But human, as you are, just like everyone else, putting up a barrier between you and the rest of the world for as long as you live, is simply not probable. Turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to what is going on around you can be easy during certain instances. However, if you are directly in the line of fire, not getting hurt should life bombard you with troubles; one after another is a fantasy you would eventually snap out of once you are hit. There would always be a point of breaking, not only for you but for all of us who thrive in this material world. And the world, unlike humans, is devoid of mercy or consideration at times. When it shows the dark side of its face to you, it does so without any warning or thought of how you might be affected in the process. If it catches you off guard, you might end up crumbling beneath its force, succumbing to your inner demons donning an identity known to everyone as depression and anxiety.

Identifying Your Demons

Characterized as a mental state whereby a person loses his self-worth and interest in his usual activities, depression can literally sap the life out of the person, leaving him at the mercy of himself. As opposed to occasional depressed moods or glum feelings, depression can stretch on for days, intensifying further the longer it prevails.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is characterized as a mood state that strikes a person without any identifiable trigger, unlike fear, which is set off by identifiable influences. As in most cases, depression and anxiety are comorbid conditions, going hand in hand once a person gives in to the pressure brought on by his troubles. All of us are susceptible to these two mental demons every time we are confronted with the dark side of reality. The only difference lies with how each one of us manages himself, staying intact even in the face of difficulties.

Bracing Yourself for the Challenge

Falling to your knees in dealing with a strong opponent is an inherent human trait; after all, no man is invincible. Frequent exposure to problems would eventually wear you down, leaving you more vulnerable to breaking as you persist. But in facing challenges, what counts most is your ability to rise up to it and get back on your feet should you fall down. Your capacity to regain your footing is embedded in how strong your sense of self is.

Having a strong sense of self means you are assured of your worth and essence as a person despite external forces. Identifying yourself and your achievements with aspects found in your environment or way of life makes for a weak sense of self. In effect, you become hollow and dependent on them, which in turn renders you vulnerable to depression and anxiety when confronted by adversity. Thus, empowering yourself by strengthening your sense of self would serve as the foundation of your defense against them.

In order to realize the value of your "self," it is significant to acknowledge the truth that you are an individual worthy of love, attention, and the many blessings life has to offer regardless of your possessions, inherent traits, and accomplishments. Too often a time, people make the big mistake of identifying their nature and self-worth with their possessions or capabilities. What you are as a person depends not on what you have or what you can do. In truth, your abilities and material possessions are dependent on what you truly are from within and not the other way around. Basing your value on external and material influences would only hurl you directly into the gaping mouth of depression and anxiety once your life is devoid of them.