Depression

If you find yourself constantly mired in feelings of despondency, unease, or emptiness, it is possible that you may be grappling with depression or another mental health ailment. Moreover, the loss of enthusiasm for activities that once brought genuine joy could also serve as an indicator. Depression manifests itself through a myriad of symptoms such as heightened irritability and anger, disrupted sleep patterns, fluctuations in weight and appetite, feelings of exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating on tasks at hand - all culminating into even more alarming symptoms like contemplation of suicide or thoughts of death.

To officially diagnose depression according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), medical professionals refer to a set criteria consisting of five or more of these symptoms which persist over two weeks on an almost daily basis: depressed mood characterized by persistent sadness; diminished interest causing detachment from previously enjoyed pursuits; alterations in eating habits accompanied by consequent shifts in body weight; disturbances in sleeping patterns; physical slowness or agitated movements; overwhelming fatigue impeding normal functioning throughout the day; sentiments laden with guilt and worthlessness; cognitive challenges such as difficulties thinking clearly or maintaining focus for extended periods; or thoughts of death with ideations about self-harm and suicide. The last detail to note about these criteria is that the symptoms significantly hinder individual performance during routine daily activities and that they are unrelated to any external factors such as substance use.

Depression can also present in less obvious ways like increased anger, feelings of restlessness, withdrawing from social situations and family events, or engaging in high-risk activities like gambling. Sometimes, depression also comes out through physical symptoms in your body like headaches or stomach aches.

Like many mental health concerns, it's important to note that depression varies from person to person and not everyone experiences all of these symptoms. The symptoms can also vary in intensity from person to person, some more mild while others are much more severe . To put depression simply and in one sentence: depression affects how you function in daily life andcauses significant distress to you and those around you.

Depression can be a sneaky villain, it is capable of manifesting itself in distinct ways in men versus women. While conventional wisdom may associate sadness with depression in all genders, men tend to actually present with anger, irritability, weight loss, and risky behaviors more than women. What’s also intriguing is that men tend to avoid seeking help or initiating conversations about their emotions and mental health and present more often with physical than emotional symptoms to their health care provider.

On the other hand, women tend to struggle with feelings of guilt, a typical weight gain rather than loss, and suffer with a deluge of negative thoughts more so than men. Fortunately, women tend to display a greater willingness to seek help for depression than their male counterparts.

As Dr. P.V. Nickell, a psychiatrist and depression expert, stated in an interview about depression: “There are several effective, evidence-based treatments available. These include different types of psychotherapy, or talk therapy, as well as somatic treatments, most commonly medication. Often, it is most effective to combine psychotherapy with medication.”

And we agree, the treatment of depression usually involves a multi-faceted approach that caninclude therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications. Psychotherapy is a critical component ofmost people’s depression treatment and often uses techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy. Treatment plans for any mental health issue are highly personalised to each individual, and it's crucial for anyone experiencing signs of depression toconsult with a qualified healthcare professional to help them find the most effective approach for their specific situation.

Remember, help is available, and treatment can make a significant difference, even if you only have a few symptoms. The severity and duration of symptoms can vary, so seeking support early is essential.

If you’re feeling suicidal call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free at 1-800-273-8255. Or, simply call or text 988 to reach the crisis lifeline.