Am I Just Feeling Down or Is It Depression? A Guide to Recognizing Depression
Understanding Depression
Depression is a common mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. It can also impair a person’s ability to perform daily tasks for 14 days or more.
Is Depression Really the Most Common Mental Disorder?
Yes, it is. According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It affects one in four people over the age of 40, with two-thirds of those being women. Recently, there has been an increase in depression among young people aged 24-26. Accurate statistics for CIS countries, including Belarus, are hard to come by as only 2% of patients seek help. Many do not understand what is happening to them and are reluctant to see a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
Firstly, there is a persistent low mood that is independent of circumstances and lasts for a long time. Secondly, there is a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Another sign is pronounced fatigue and a lack of energy that never goes away, regardless of physical activity. Other symptoms include:
- Pessimism
- Heightened sense of guilt
- Unexplained anxiety
- Slowed mental processes
- Difficulty concentrating and remembering simple things
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Insomnia or a desire to sleep all day
- Suicidal thoughts
What Can Trigger Depression?
Depression does not usually appear out of nowhere. It can be triggered by stress, psychological trauma caused by grief, the loss of a family member, or a breakup. It can also be caused by old experiences that were previously ignored but have accumulated over time. Depression is often a result of emotional burnout.
How Is Emotional Burnout Different from Depression?
Emotional burnout is a syndrome of chronic stress that typically occurs at work. It is more common in helping professions such as psychologists, NGO employees, doctors, journalists, and salespeople. Careerists are also susceptible. Initially, these individuals are very interested in their work and are willing to work around the clock. However, at some point, the mind can no longer cope, leading to negative emotions at the mere thought of work and a desire to withdraw.
To cope with burnout, it is important to rest more, get enough sleep, eat properly, avoid routine work, and consider changing professions.
Depression, on the other hand, affects all areas of life. A person becomes dissatisfied with themselves, relationships with family and loved ones deteriorate, work seems hopeless, and physical health declines. Depression, like any other illness, requires treatment. Therefore, do not hesitate to seek help from a specialist such as a psychologist or psychotherapist.
How Can I Help Myself in This Situation?
Share your feelings with trusted loved ones. They may notice that you have been repeating the same things for a long time and draw attention to the problem. Specialists also recommend keeping a diary and daily recording your physical and emotional sensations, noting successes and praising yourself for them.
Try to focus on positive events, take walks, exercise, and do only manageable work. Even if it is minimal, such as getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, or walking the dog.
When Should I See a Doctor?
A complete loss of ability to work can be a signal. This is not just about a bad mood or fatigue that can be alleviated by rest. It is about the inability to concentrate and make decisions, which affects all areas of life. If you do not have the strength to go to work, it is already worth considering.
Why See a Doctor?
Firstly, a psychotherapist can make an accurate diagnosis. You may be simply overworked, experiencing emotional burnout, or it could be depression or something more serious. A doctor can help you understand what is happening to you.
Secondly, a specialist can advise on how to better structure your life during depression treatment. A combination of medication and psychotherapy can make a person more productive and improve their quality of life.
Thirdly, timely seeking help prevents the risk of suicide. People in a state of depression are unable to think about why this is a bad way out of the situation and how their relatives will suffer.
Where Can I Get Help?
If your budget is limited, it is better to see a psychotherapist at a local clinic. You can make an appointment anonymously or under your own name. The doctor prescribes medication and recommends individual or group psychotherapy sessions, sometimes issuing a referral to a hospital for inpatient treatment.
Psychotherapy is paid everywhere, but it is essential for effective treatment. If you have the means, turn to private specialists. They are usually more attentive, practice an individual approach, and devote more time to each patient’s problems.
Will I Get Sick Leave?
Only in the most severe forms of depression and under two conditions: if a psychotherapist officially diagnoses you with “depression” and if you agree to hospitalization. In Western European countries, employers give employees sick leave for depression treatment, and insurance companies cover it. In our country, depression is still not an official reason for sick leave. Employers often do not understand that depression is not just a bad mood, but a serious mental disorder.
What Should I Know About Antidepressants?
It may take a long time for a doctor to find the right medication. The correct drugs can level out the emotional background, patients feel relief, and concentration and memory return.
It is not recommended to consume alcohol while taking antidepressants. Alcohol itself excites the nervous system, while the drugs try to calm it. In this state, depression symptoms worsen, and suicidal thoughts may appear or intensify.
Depression can be treated for years and recur after a long remission. In any case, you should gradually stop taking antidepressants under the supervision of a doctor. World Health Organization provides more information on depression and its treatment.
