Usually in our adolescence, we are exposed to many sudden
and inexplicable mood swings as a result of our body undergoing various hormonal
changes that prepare us for adulthood.
Aside from increased social
pressures, the onset of menstruation, for example, introduces adolescent girls
to premenstrual tension (or premenstrual syndrome) and the menstrual cramps, the
former being a mixture of physical and psychological symptoms, including
temporary weight gain, fluid retention, depression, fits of temper and the
like.
Of these, depression is perhaps one of the most commonly identified
conditions that both males and females attest to, particularly at the onset of
puberty.
Depression is a term we colloquially use to pertain to any
particular period of prolonged sadness and lethargy. Colloquial use would even
allow us to call depression any 'low' point in between periods of 'high' or
happiness. A popular one-liner, which many of us are familiar with, even goes as
far as saying that depression is in fact simply anger without
enthusiasm.
However, the real essence of depression is the fact that you
can't simply 'snap out of it', and that it has the capacity to disrupt your
daily activities. It is characterized by prolonged sadness, anxiety, unusual
mood shifts accompanied by a degree of irrational thought, pessimism, and is
responsible for changes in the way we eat, sleep, or interact with other people
that in effect incapacitates us from participating in productive
activities.
Depression is deemed a disorder that requires treatment and
attention first because it may be a cause for withdrawal from society as it
gives a semblance of suffering, pessimism, and low self-esteem. Secondly,
depression may cause changes in physical behavior (like eating or sleeping) that
may disrupt regular daily activities or may be mortally dangerous for whoever
suffers from it. It may also, in effect, harm interactions with other people,
particularly those within the atomic community (like family and
friends).
Lastly, the accompanying decrease in rational thought causes
some people to eventually result to thoughts of harming oneself or even
suicide.
Should you find yourself potentially exhibiting that degree of
depression, it is best that you seek immediate help from a professional. The
reason is because the many forms of depression, each varying in degree of
abnormality it lends, are currently treatable. It will also allow you to
accurately determine whether you may simply be suffering from a common or minor
depression, which is a mild but similarly prolonged form of depression, or a
severe or major depression.
What is severe or major depression then?
Severe or major depression, which medical experts also call clinical depression,
unipolar depression, or major depressive disorder, is a sort of depression that
necessitates medical treatment.
This is because severe depression is
thought to be a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. This particular
brand of depression is recognized as possibly hereditary by many psychiatrists
and specialists.
Doctors detect severe depression by particular
behavioral patterns that emerge. The first is that of a constant feeling of
sadness or anxiety. This may be accompanied by feelings of inadequacy and low
self-esteem. Another is when you feel lethargic, tired, or without energy
despite the fact that you did not engage in any physical activity of any form
alongside a feeling of restlessness. You may also feel a decreased capacity to
concentrate and make decisions.
The more 'telling' signs that accompany
the previous symptoms, which may be attributed to seasonal hormonal imbalances,
strenuous physical activities, or physical sickness for non-depressive
individuals, have a more or less social implication to them.
If you are
suffering from severe depression, you may have a feeling of being uninterested
in usual activities or hobbies and you may eventually withdraw from them.
Changes in your appetite may also emerge, leading to drastic weight
loss.
Another change is in sleeping habits, which may imply difficulty in
sleeping, waking up too early, or sleeping too much. With these physically
notable changes and the previous general symptoms is a prevalent feeling of
inadequateness, hopelessness and guilt. Altogether, these may lead to thoughts
of suicide or obsession over death and dying.
The fact that depression
can happen to anyone including you, should be enough impetus to better
understand depression. Understanding that people around you (and there are many
of them) suffer from depression will both allow you to better interact with
them, or, should you be suffering from it as well, allow you to benefit from
support groups or other people who can better help you deal with the disorder
and stop you from succumbing to it.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time of experience
in the mental health field www.depressionhelpguides.com
