Depression: The deadened feeling that’s different from just feeling sad

Sep 01, 2019 Dr Zulfikar Bux, Features / Columnists

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By Dr Zulfikar Bux

Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
We all have our moments of feeling down when things didn’t go our way. Most of the time that feeling is usually that of disappointment and not depression.

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. Unfortunately, some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They’re wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms.
Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can just “snap out of” by getting yourself together. It affects over 300 million persons worldwide and its worst, it can lead to suicidal thoughts or suicide.
Today we will discuss it, so that we can all appreciate this awful state of mind.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms such as these listed below:
• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
Common causes of depression include:
• Family history- You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.
• Early childhood trauma- Some events impact the way that body reacts to fear and stressful situations.
• Brain structure- There’s a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don’t know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.
• Medical Conditions- Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Drug use- A history of drug or alcohol misuse can impact your risk.
• Low self- esteem or being self-critical
• Personal history of mental illness
• Certain medications
• stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce.
The cause for depression is not always known and sometimes your doctor will go ahead to initiate treatment although he/she cannot figure out the cause.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
It’s important to seek help from your doctor if you think you may be depressed. Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it’s best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medication. Addressing the trigger is most often the first and most important step. Your recommended treatment will be based on whether you have mild, moderate or severe depression. If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest waiting to see whether it improves on its own, while monitoring your progress. This is known as “watchful waiting”. They may also suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise and self-help groups. Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are often used for mild depression that is not improving or moderate depression. Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed. For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended. If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a specialist in mental health for intensive talking treatments and prescribed medication.
LIVING WITH DEPRESSION
Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol, giving up smoking and eating healthily. If you suffer from depression, know that you are not alone. There is help out there. Confide in someone trustworthy and seek medical help if you feel that you cannot manage it alone.

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