Depression
For people who never experienced depression or never been close to
someone who suffered from depression it is difficult to imagine
what it feels like. In fact, many people confuse depression with
sadness. Yet depression is not an extreme form of sadness, neither it
is a natural reaction to loss, such as bereavement. Depression
is a clinically significant condition characterised by
negative thinking, persistent low mood, physiological
reactions and specific behaviour patterns, such as
withdrawal.
What is
Depression?
Everyone experiences episodes of sadness, low
motivation, self-doubt or preoccupation with loss. These
episodes are usually short lived and generally resolved with little
effort.
People who suffer from depression go through an array of
overlapping experiences. These experiences are generally divided
into four main categories of depressive thinking,
emotions, physiological reactions and behaviours. For more
information on these overlapping categories, please read
below:
Depressive Thinking
Depressive thinking refers to negative, pessimistic thinking
patterns. It is often related to most aspects of an
individual's life. When depressed, people think negatively about
themselves (e.g., low self-esteem), about their environment (e.g.,
devaluing one's job or relationship), and about their future (e.g.,
lack of motivation and drive). As these thoughts take over, people
find it difficult to concentrate and pay attention to things they
supposed to engage with (e.g., children, jobs,
friendships).
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Depressive
Emotions
Depressed mood is more than just being
"blue". Clinical depression is associated with a lethargic mood
state that does not seem to change or ease off. People often also
feel worthless, inadequate, irritable and guilt ridden.
One of the key features of depression is the loss of
pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. People with depression
may engage in an activity that they liked before, such as
socialising, music or sporting activities, but it gives
them little or no pleasure. It is not surprising
that people describe the feelings of depression as "living
in a dark hole" or "feeling that the world is caving in on you".
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Physiological
Reactions
Depression is associated with different
physiological changes and reactions. People generally feel
fatigued and low on energy. Sleep is often disturbed, either
oversleeping or experiencing sleep difficulties. People may wake up
in the middle of the night, or in the early hours of the morning,
and are unable to go back to sleep.
People may experience
sexual difficulties and a drop in their sex drive. Others experience
difficulties with appetite, either overeating and gaining
significant weight, or eating minimal amount resulting in
significant weight
loss.
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Depression and
Behaviour
People with depression have difficulty
working up the initiative to engage in most activities. The
combination of lack of energy, negative thinking and low mood often
leads to withdrawal and isolation. People with depression turn down
invitations to social events, neglect friendships and
relationships and generally do less than they used to before their
depression.
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Symptoms of Depression
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Depressed mood, feeling hopeless, sad and
pessimistic.
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Decreased interest in previously enjoyed
activities.
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Significant weight loss or weight
gain.
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Insomnia (sleeplessness) or hypersomnia
(oversleeping).
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Slow speech and movements.
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Low energy and feeling depleted.
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Feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Negative
self evaluation (e.g., "I can't do anything right").
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Difficulty with concentration and decision
making.
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Suicidal ideation or thoughts of
death. |
