The concept of depression is broad and encompasses a number of different phenomena. The term is used in the vernacular to refer to a simple “blue” mood. In a medical sense it can label anything from a long-lingering feeling of hollowness to a critical situation ending in a suicide.
The simple “down mood” or “bad hair day” really isn’t depression at all. It’s merely the experience of normal human emotions in response to external and internal factors. Every case of being sad or lonely is not an example of depression. Low feelings are normal and even healthy. Depression refers to more severe cases where those negative feelings take hold and have a more serious or lasting influence on one’s well-being or ability to function.
There are three types of depression, all of which share that similarity. One is known as dysthymia. Dysthymia is a chronic, low-grade depression that lasts over a long period of time. This type of depression is “sneaky” and may not be spotted easily. Its long-lasting nature allows one to “adjust” to its symptoms somewhat, making a depressed mood seem like the normal every day nature of things.
Dysthymia sufferers have the overall quality of their lives undermined by depression, often without realizing it. They may think they are simply dour people or that life is inevitably something less than enjoyable.
Those with dysthymia are able to function with a high degree of normalcy, but are constantly nagged by feelings of sadness, despair, loneliness and related emotions.
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Situational depression can have more severe symptoms. This is the form of depression that rears its head in direct response to external circumstances. Any number of traumas or trying events can trigger a bout of situational depression. The death of a loved one, or the loss of a job, for instance, may produce intense and temporarily debilitating depressive symptoms.
The key to differentiating situation depression from its clinical counterpart is the temporary nature of the symptomology and the fact that it can often be traced back to a specific cause. One should note that traumatic events can also herald the onset of clinical depression, however.
Those suffering from situational depression may find life very difficult for a period of time. They may feel agitated or nervous, have disruptions in sleeping habits, or experience other common depressive symptoms. However, the problem usually passes as the individual learns to cope with the problems that triggered the episode.
Clinical depression is more severe. If one experiences symptoms that interfere with regular functioning for a period longer than two weeks in length, they may be suffering from clinical depression. Clinical depression can last indefinitely and can be quite devastating.
The hallmark of clinical depression is the inability to enjoy almost any aspect of life. In some cases, the sufferer may even begin to consider suicide as an alternative to continuing on in their depressed state. Symptoms can run the gamut from a vague sense of unease to utter and complete hopelessness.
Interventions are usually required for one to overcome clinical depression. These can involve the use of psychotherapy, prescription antidepressants and other strategies aimed at solving the problem. Those who do not seek treatment for this condition may find the problem literally fatal in the long run. Fortunately, these methods can often be successful in helping one overcome the dreaded symptoms of clinical depression.
Depression is a growing problem, and as the epidemic continues to grow, it only makes sense for all of us to gain a better understanding of the disease. The World Health Organization posits that by the year 2020 depression will be second most devastating disease facing humanity, second only to heart disease in its impact. Depression touches the lives of most everyone and all of us should develop a stronger appreciation of what separates depression from simply having a “lousy week.”
Although the term “depression” may encompass many things in popular use, in a strict sense it refers to one of the three variations mentioned in this article. Dysthymia, situational depression and clinical depression represent the three primary types of depression. They share a great deal in common, but can be differentiated from one another by the severity of their symptoms and their longevity.
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john savage is a former health education official and has taken a keen interest in health matters. Click Here to visit his blog which shows a way to conquer depression, stress and anxiety.
it does not help when even your own family, tells you to “just stop that” “what’s wrong?” If they could only just try to understand that you have no control over it-and even on medication- that one half of the time you just wish that you would just not wake up at all
Seeing other people with problems does not help you with your’s- so that is out too., sometimes that just just makes you sadder’
One can have good hours and even some good day’s but mostly- no
- not really as in the back of your mind you are so miserable
I agree with what Madeliene1 says since a lot of people experienced the feeling of being miserable despite of all the good things given to her/his own life…
As one who has experienced clinical depression for over 20 years let me say that you can live a fairly normal life IF…..you can find a really good Psychiatrist. Most people think a psychiatrist is a “shrink” but that is false. A psychiatrist is a M.D. who treats the organ of the body the brain and can prescribe medication for your specific condition. Many people make the mistake of going to a doctor who is not a psychiatrist and is not qualified to treat depression; they end up on medication many times that isn’t right for them. It may take a few times to get your exact medications figured out but if you have a good Dr. it is possible. Good luck. Hope this helps.
As a long term suffererer with unsatisfactory medication experiences, I af=gree that the ‘why can’t you just get over it” or “there’s nothing wrong with you. “You are just not trying to get better” makes you feel even worse if that is possible. In my case there were also those who insist you must be on drugs or something… We need help and compassion not insults and false accusations
I too have suffered from severe depression and am currently on medication. It started when we lost my daughter, I thought. That was just the stimulus that made it come to the forefront. I found out that I had been suffering from it and didn’t even know it. It is a silent disease and doesn’t show on the outside. However, remarks that there is nothing wrong with you etc. only tend to worsen it. It makes you feel like maybe they are right because you can’t really put your finger on just exactly is wrong. In some cases short term medication can help and in others, like myself, it is something that will have to be dealt with for the rest of my life.
Seek help and don’t give up. My first six weeks on medication did nothing; then my doctor upped the dose and within days I was sleeping normally again, hopeful about the future, grateful for everything in the present, at peace with the past, able to concentrate, able to function fully. It was like stepping out of the darkness into the light. My heart goes out to all who are suffering from depression. Seek help and don’t give up.
I have suffered from depression for more than 40 years. I thank heaven for antidepressants — I would be dead without them. I do not allow myself negative thoughts. When they start (as start they will) I stop them and think of something for which to be grateful. The sunshine, chocolate, pizza — anything. I try not to listen to depressing music, and I “Put On A Happy Face.” Only my dearest friends know I’m depressed. Not even my family really knows. Even though I have trouble walking, I try to do a little dance each day. My mother told me: feelings are transient. They pass. Your blue mood today can be purple this afternoon, grey tonight and yellow tomorrow. And most important, I try to laugh at myself. After all, I am the funniest person I know (sarcasm works, too).
Major depression is a real and debilitating disease. I have been depressed for most of my life. I have a chemical imbalance and will have to deal with medication for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, finding the right combination of medications is difficult. The side effects of drugs differ between people. My depression is still not under control and they aren’t sure if I am bi-polar or not. I don’t exhibit the “normal” symptoms for being manic-depressive. So we keep trying different medications and I am running out of medications to try. Don’t ask me ‘why can’t you just get past it’, I cannot control it.
I’m depressed,;< its my first time to experience ,I know it to myself because i feel that im alone,im sad,always feelin blue,im lossin my hope, and i cant sleep at night still awake and imagining what gonna happen next mornin' on how to deal with my darkness side of my life..
I loss my job , i loos my boyfriend,i loss my bestfriend,m common friends out there disappeared,,and im alone,,no could help me and talk to me,,i tried to read aspiring books,novels,bible to help me to cope it,,actually it helps me sometime but I always experience it ,,i dont know what to do..i dont what to see people,i dont want to talk someone,i just need to be alone,,and i keep cryin,,;< help me God…
Hi Angie Parane and all other friends in here. There is nothing impossible with God, believe me. Even if you don’t like asking help, even if you don’t like praying, try it. Try asking God’s guidance in choosing good people to come along, He would surely give you not just one FRIEND. Try to trust, relate and tell your feelings, problems or just anything to a friend, or to an elder, or to a religious minister, but most of all, ask the help of a psychiatrist(even if you don’t like), God would give you a good person who would be willing to listen and understand anything you say. Don’t lost hope. God loves you. God loves you all. May God would heal you all very soon…
I have suffered from chronic depression for years. It has ruined my marriages. I have been on medication, which I call my happy pill, for several years. I am so grateful for the counselor who introduced me to the psychiatrist who put me on my medication. It took years for my mother to accept that I had a problem. I am usually happy but find that in return the medication I take somewhat deadens my emotions and I am sometimes unable to feel the joy that most others feel on occasions. However, I would not want to go off my medication in the hope to feel that. My medication has given me a better life than I had without it. I still experience the situational depression, but know that given time things will change and I will feel better again. I continue to look for food combinations that will replace the medication. I hate feeling captive to pharmaceutical companies. There was no help for me when I lost my job and couldn’t afford the prescription. I am working again but continue my search. I believe nutrition is a more powerful and cheaper alternative
Your mind is your medicine. It works for me. Thinking of how a monk can survive with $500 a month and live happily without clinging on material stuffs, thinking how a family of 5 surviving happily without seeking high class luxurious life , be contented , thankful and grateful that we are still alive now. Live simple life , do not let the ‘norm’ stereotyping and the outside temptation lure you to misery and suffering, set your own right value of life. Materialism bring more suffering and pain than happiness. Simplicity is beauty.
I always think of a mentor above my head taking care of me if i couldnt sleep at night, is peaceful and serene, thinking of yourself sitting at the top mountain looking into the crystal blue sky , peace will eventually be with you