Depression Talk - Symptoms, How To Deal With It

Depression can drain your energy, hope and drive, making it hard to do what you need to feel better. But while overcoming depression isn't easy, there are plenty of little things that can help you on the way to recovery.

Many people make the fundamental mistake of presuming that depression is sadness, but the two are entirely different things. While sadness is a normal human emotion that comes and goes and is usually caused by certain events, depression is a constant feeling of sadness and hopelessness.

It is normal to experience feelings of sadness and dispair in response to adverse life events. Such events could include loss, major life changes, stress, or disappointment. In most cases, the sad feelings resolve as you come to terms with the changes in your life. In situations such as bereavement, these feelings may persist for months and return at significant times.

You can’t just will yourself to “snap out of it,” but you do have more control than you realize—even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key is to start small and build from there. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there by making positive choices for yourself each day.

Continue on for days or even weeks and months at a time. 

* Feeling sad, lost, empty, hopeless, or just generally unhappy 
* Losing interest in or enjoyment from activities you previously enjoyed 
*Changes in sleeping habits ranging from insomnia to spending most of your time sleeping or in bed 
*Exhaustion and a lack of energy that makes even simple everyday task If you've wondered if you could have depression or if the feelings you've been experiencing are normal there are some common signs and symptoms to be aware of that can help you decide if you should seek professional treatment. 

These symptoms generally occur for most of your day without letting up and can seem difficult..

*Anxiety, agitation, and restlessness 
*Slowed thinking or difficulty paying attention 
*Feeling worthless or not good enough (often in conjunction with overthinking past mistakes or failures) 
*Feeling guilty about things that aren't your fault or are out of your control 
*Difficulty making decisions or remembering things 
*Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide 
*Physical issues, such as headaches or muscle pain 

If you’ve taken self-help steps and made positive lifestyle changes and still find your depression getting worse, seek professional help. Needing additional help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes the negative thinking in depression can make you feel like you’re a lost cause, but depression can be treated and you can feel better! There’s always hope.