Climbing up from depression

Life is full of good times and bad, of happiness and sorrow. But when the "down" times last more than a few weeks or cause you to have difficulty functioning in daily life, you may be suffering from a common yet serious medical illness- called DEPRESSION

Feeling down
Depression is a mood disorder that affects the whole person- body and mind. it can lead to:

• Withdrawal from people and activities
• Loss of pleasure and enjoyment of life
• Feelings of sadness, disappointment, or loneliness.
• Physical discomfort, aches, pains, sleep disturbances, etc.

How do I know it is depression?

 A depressed person often has cloudy thinking and a hard time making decisions. Given below are some of the problems or feelings which a patient suffering from depression may experience.

Symptoms of depression:

1. Life won't get better in the future. Lack of drive and motivation
2. Loss of appetite or weight gain
3. Lack of sleep
4. Tired or lethargic, and trouble motivating yourself to get anything done
5. Anxious or worried without any obvious reason
6. You feel annoyed and irritable with people, or have less interest in your family and friends
7. Hard to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
8. Suicidal thoughts or actions

             ........these are just some of the symptoms. other symptoms, that may be suggestive of depression are: less interest in sex, feeling guilty about mistakes or critical of shortcomings, less interest in hobbies or work related projects, and worries over minor aches and pains.

What I should do about depression?

Almost everyone who faces depression, recovers and feels good again. With a little help, it is possible to get back to work, rebuild the relations with family and friends, enjoy life and all that it has to offer. The step-by-step process involves the following:

Self-care

• Do not bottle things up; if you've recently had some bad news, or a major upset in your life, try to tell people close to you about it and how it feels.
• Do something, get out of doors for some exercise even if only for a long walk.
• Resist the temptation to drown your sorrows.
• Eat a good balanced diet.

Seek Professional help

Meet a psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor to determine the cause of depression and discuss the proposed plan of recovery.

A. Psychotherapy: Helps many depressed people become more self aware and better able to cope with their problems. treatment methods include individual counseling, group therapy, psychoanalysis, etc.

B.Medication: Is often used in treating seriously depressed people. it may bring relief in as little as 3-4 weeks. Drugs prescribed may include antidepressants.