Feeling blue?

 

All of us have felt down, blue or discouraged at times throughout our life. It is normal

and expected to have variations in moods over time and even day-to-day.

A variety of things can impact how we feel each day. Some common triggers for mood

changes include times in which we experience unpleasantness or pain, such as:

 

• Transitioning and adjusting to a new environment

• Academic or employment stress and difficulties

• Conflict or emotional distress in relationships (e.g. family or roommate problems)

• The loss of a significant relationship (e.g. break up; death)

• Concerns about the future

• Financial stress

 

 

 

What is the difference between feeling blue and experiencing Depression?

 

Sooner or later, everyone gets the blues. Feeling sadness, loneliness or grief when you go through a difficult life experience is part of being human. And most of the time, you can continue to function. You know that in time you will bounce back, and you do.

But what if you don’t bounce back? What if your feelings of sadness linger, are excessive, or interfere with your work, sleep, or recreation? What if you’re feeling fatigue or worthlessness, or experiencing weight changes along with your sadness? You may be experiencing major depression.

 

 

 

What Causes Depression?

 

Clinical depression is a significant disturbance in the mood which persists for a minimum of two weeks at a time. Depression can affect people of all ages, including children and elderly adults, though the mean age. Depression may range from mild to severe depending upon the associated symptoms and the extent the condition interferes with everyday functioning. In milder forms, depressed moods are usually brief and may have little effect on everyday activities. Moderate to severe depression includes symptoms that are more intense, last longer, and tend to interfere more with school, work and social functioning.

Depression is a medical illness which can be caused by a variety of factors, including biological, genetic, psychological or environmental factors. Depression affects approximately 15 million Americans every year and is a leading cause of suicide. Although depression might initially begin as a reaction to an event or situation, it is a serious disorder that requires treatment. For others, their mood concerns can occur without identifiable causes. Depression is NOT a result of a personal failure, lack of will power or laziness.

 

Symptoms of Depression

 

Depressive symptoms are a significant change in the person’s functioning. Symptoms include:

 

• Feelings of sadness or emptiness

• Disinterest in activities you previously enjoyed (e.g. isolating from others)

• Feeling worthless, excessively guilty, or hopeless

• Low self-esteem

• Lack of motivation

• Disruptions in sleeping habits (e.g. insomnia, excessively sleeping)

• Disruptions in eating habits or weight (e.g. decrease in appetite; significant weight gain)

• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Difficulty concentrating

• Indecisiveness

• Frequently crying

• Physical ailments nonresponsive to treatment (e.g. chronic pain, digestive problems)

 

How do I know when I need professional help?

 

• When you are starting to feel like a danger to yourself or others.

• When you feel stuck or tired of suffering.

• When others notice you are not yourself, or there is a change in your behavior.

• When someone who loves you, or whose opinion you response, says you should.

• When what you are doing is not working and you don’t know what to do next.

• When symptoms are interfering with your daily life

 

 

We at PsychInsight, create balance in your day, Include activities every day in which you gain a sense of Achievement, Connection with Others, Enjoyment, Practice gratitude and a platform where one can share his thoughts and feelings.

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