How To Know If You’re Depression

Watch for symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). You will feel happy and relaxed during the summer, but feel sad in the cold and murky winter. The symptom called SAD begins to appear when you see the day get shorter and when the sun is no longer visible. Symptoms of SAD can vary, but are generally quite similar to the main symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder and vary geographically. ^[7] Places with little sunlight for a period of time (like Alaska, USA) have a higher incidence of SAD.

• If you have SAD, take advantage of sunlight if you can. Get up early in the morning and go for a walk, or eat a midday snack outside.
• SAD can be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of people with SAD do not feel better through light therapy alone. For more information about light therapy, check out some related readings on wikiHow.

Recognize the difference between depression in adolescents. Teens get depressed in a different way than adults. They are often irritable, grumpy, or always spiteful when depressed. Complaints of inexplicable pain and aches are also somewhat more descriptive of adolescent depression. ^[8]

• Sudden anger and extreme sensitivity to criticism can also lead to depression.
• Poor grades, alienation from friends, and alcohol or drug abuse can all lead to depression-related problems in teens. ^[9]

Check for symptoms of postpartum depression. Childbirth is a sacred moment that creates a family and gives birth to a baby. For a woman, no matter what, the postpartum period is nothing but joy and joy. The hormonal, physical changes, and adding a new role to having to take care of another baby can be overwhelming for them. An estimated 10 to 15% of women experience postpartum depression. ^[10] For some mothers, depression occurs very early in the postpartum period, while for others it occurs in the early postpartum period. during the first 3 months, then gradually became more pronounced. ^[11] In addition to the depressive symptoms above, some additional signs of postpartum depression include: ^[12]

• Lack of care for the baby
• There are many negative feelings about the baby
• Worrying about harming the baby
• Lack of self-care

Recognize persistent depressive disorder. This form of depression is less severe than Major Depressive Disorder, but persists for a longer period of time. People with persistent depressive disorder often have symptoms of depression that last 2 years or longer. Symptoms of depression usually appear within a certain time frame, but the depressed mood persists for up to 2 years. ^[13]

Recognize the symptoms of depression and psychosis. This depression occurs when a person has severe depression accompanied by psychosis. Psychosis can include false beliefs (such as believing that you are the president or a spy), hallucinations (a distance from reality, such as believing that you are being watched) or delusions. other senses (hearing or seeing things that others do not experience). ^[14]

• Depression and psychosis can be dangerous and deadly because of the distance from reality. Get help right away by contacting a friend, or calling emergency services.

Recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The hallmark of bipolar disorder is fluctuating moods. A person’s mood can go down (major depression) and then go up (manic). Bipolar disorder significantly alters an individual’s mood, behavior, and thinking. During a manic episode, a person may behave differently, such as suddenly quitting work, shopping a lot, or working for days without sleep. Depression tends to get worse, such as making you not want to get out of bed, keep up with your work, or do your daily activities. ^[15] If you experience symptoms of bipolar disorder, seek professional help. These symptoms do not go away on their own without intervention. Some symptoms of mania include: ^[16]

• Feeling unusually optimistic
• I feel so irritable
• Feeling full of energy even with very little sleep
• Rushing thoughts
• Talking too fast
• Impaired judgment, impulsiveness
• Illusion or hallucination?
• For more information about bipolar disorder, check out some of the wikiHow articles on bipolar disorder.

You should know that depression manifests differently in men and women. Men and women sometimes experience different symptoms of depression. For example, men often express anger, while women often express sadness. Being aware of this can help you better understand your symptoms.

• Common symptoms in men include: irritability, increased alcohol/drug consumption, reckless work, and inability to complete tasks at home or at work. ^[17]
• Common symptoms in women include: feeling sad or guilty, eating unhealthy, mood swings, crying for no reason. ^[18]

Find a mental health professional. When you’re still uncertain about your emotional state or feel like you’re struggling with a depressive episode, seek treatment right away. A therapist can help you understand depression and offer effective coping strategies to prevent future episodes of depression. Therapy is an effective treatment for depression, when it helps people understand the cause of the illness, help them overcome negative feelings, and begin to calm down and behave normally again. ^[19]

• Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is considered to be quite effective in treating depression. It helps you deal with negative thoughts and turn them into more positive thoughts. You can learn to look back at your environment and relationships with a more empathetic attitude. ^[20]

Consider seeing a psychiatrist for advice. For some patients, drug therapy can be helpful in treating depressive symptoms. Be aware that medication is not a complete cure and may carry some risks. ^[21] Get yourself a medical or psychiatrist to learn more about antidepressants.

• Ask your prescribing doctor about the side effects and any risks of taking the medication.
• If you feel you are contemplating suicide with medication, tell your prescriber right away.
• If you start taking an antidepressant, stop taking it immediately if it helps. Use as directed by your doctor.

Avoid isolating yourself. It’s important to feel loved and supported, especially if you’re suffering from depression. You will tend to isolate yourself from friends and family, but spending more time with friends can help you get in the mood more easily. When you’re depressed, try to spend time with friends, even if your body or mind doesn’t allow it. ^[22]

• You can also join a support group. Visit the National Alliance for Mental Health Support (NAMI) at https://www.nami.org/ for more information about depression and how to find a support group.

Physical health training. According to most studies, physical exercise has many benefits in treating depression. Some studies show that exercise can help ease symptoms of depression and prevent future relapses. It can be a little hard to tell if you’re going to the gym or going for a walk — especially when depression takes all your energy out of it — but try to find motivation to help yourself work out. ^[23]

• Exercise as simple as walking 20-40 minutes a day. If you have a dog, take your dog for a walk every day to double your happiness.
• If you find it hard to find the motivation to be active, remind yourself that once you’ve been active, you won’t regret trying your best. Rarely does anyone leave the gym thinking, “I’m just wasting my time here, I shouldn’t have gone”.
• Find yourself a companion to motivate you to practice. A sense of responsibility will probably help you get to the gym.