Depression

I find psychology to be very fascinating, so I thought that I would choose something to study and share about on here. Depression is something that I think everyone probably experiences at some point in their life. I know that I have definitely gone through periods of time where it seems like there is very little good in the world and it is hard to feel any joy. I have found my own ways to keep myself from falling too deep into that dark pit, so I haven't experienced it in a while. And, I also know that depression can be a pretty deceivingly comfortable place to go and can be very difficult to get out of. My heart goes out to anyone going through their own battle with depression. Keep fighting. It really does get better. Below is some brief information I found about depression.

What it is

There are many types of depression. In order for depression to be diagnosed, symptoms need to be present for a minimum of two weeks (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). While anyone can be affected by depression, women are more often diagnosed. This may be partially due to the negative perception that society has on men recognizing their emotions and seeking help. Some symptoms that may be experienced include sadness, changes in sleep, loss of interest or enjoyment in hobbies, anger, neglecting responsibilities, and/or isolation. How depression appears can be different for everyone. In some cases, symptoms may even appear physically.

Risk Factors

Some factors that may put people at higher risk of experiencing depression include certain personality traits, traumatic or stressful events, a biological family history related to depression, lack of support related to sexuality, history of other mental health disorders, substance abuse, serious or chronic illness, and certain medications (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2022).

How to Treat it

While there are ways of treating depression that include the use of therapy and medication, there are some things that can be done without the use of professionals to help improve depression. Some methods include getting exercise, quality sleep, eating healthy, avoiding alcohol, and spending more time around people who care about you (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). These methods can also be used to help prevent depression.

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Depression: Causes, symptoms, types & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, October 14). Depression (major depressive disorder). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

Have you ever experienced depression?

• Yes
• No