Fighting Depression..

Doctor, I feel like am drowning, except everyone around Me is breathing fine.

 A lot of people think that being depressed means you just feel blue. Everybody experiences sadness at some points in their lives but that doesn't mean they meet the criteria of depression as a diagnosis. Depression is actually a psychiatric disorder. It's a mood disorder that can affect both adults and children.

Depression is not a sign of weakness,it means you have been strong for far too long. 

  Depression is accompanied by a change in overall level of activity. Depression tends to be recurrent and onset of individual episodes is often related to stressful situations. Depressive episodes could either be mild, moderate, severe or recurrent.

 Common symptoms of depression include the following ;
. Reduced self-esteem and confidence;
. Ideas of guilt and unworthiness;
. Ideas or acts of self harm or suicide;
. Reduced concentration and attention ;
. Disturbed sleep and diminished appetite.e.t.c.
 
  Stressful life events like death of a loved one,end of a relationship and even pregnancy can precipitate depression in vulnerable individuals .

   Management of depression include;
. Drug treatments which is individualized after consulting with your doctor
. Psychotherapy which includes family therapy too.

  To the depressed individual the following ways can help you cope with it personally ;
.Learn how to relax. ...
.Go easy on alcohol and drugs(these worsen the prognosis) . ...
.Eat well, keep active.
.Take some time out to do things you enjoy. ...
.Learn something new.
.Talk to someone you trust.

  To the family and loved ones of a depressed individual;
. Please,try and understand the way they think and feel. It's not their choice,they are sick. Show them you really do love them.
. When you notice they have started nurturing the ideas of self harm or even attempted suicide kindly take them to the nearest hospital because suicide is a psychiatric emergency.

Hope you've learnt a thing or two.

If you have any question, do drop it in the comment section.