What Is Depression?

Something feels wrong. You can't shake this heavy feeling away. Suddenly, it seems as if you have no motivation. No interest in your hobbies. You feel anti-social and don't want to really talk to anyone. No matter what you try, you can't help but feel sad, for no reason at all.

“What is going on with me?” you ask yourself.

If you connect with any of that on a deep level, know that what you are experiencing is normal. It's something that, at some point, almost everyone will go through. But just because it is common, doesn't mean that it is easy to overcome.

This is what depression can feel like. It's a mood disorder that can affect anyone, at any age, for any reason. Let's go over what depression is and ways to cope with it.

Everybody will feel sad at some point. How often do you hear the words, "I feel depressed." It's a common phrase to say, but depression isn't just feeling sad. It's a chronic condition that involves far more than just being sad.

Some of the most common signs of depression are:

Changes in appetite or eating habits
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
Sleeping too much or insomnia(or not being able to sleep at all)
Digestive issues
Fatigue
Muscle tension or pain with no explanation
Feelings of guilt
Sadness that can't be explained and won't go away
Thoughts about death

What Causes Depression?

Depression, in itself, has no single cause that can attribute to it. This isn't a full list of everything that can cause depression, but here are some common ones.

Loss of a loved one or friend
Family history of depression
Genetics
Some medications
Physical injury
Chronic illness or pain
Major life events (moving, change of job, having a child)
Having other mental health issues such as anxiety
Going through something traumatic
Abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual)

How To Treat Depression

When you are going through a period of depression that just won't go away, it's important to treat it as soon as possible. Typically, in order to get a formal diagnosis of depression, it needs to last concurrently for longer than two weeks. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above for longer than 2 weeks, the cause may be because of depression.

It's important to note that you don't have to experience every single symptom listed to receive your diagnosis.

There are some common ways to begin treating depression on your own. Often it can be helpful to seek the help of a licensed therapist.

On your own, you could try:

Self-Care

There are a few ways you can help try to make your mood a little better throughout the day. Caring for your mind is also caring for your body. Physical activity, for instance, can release endorphins into your body that are mood boosters.

You can also try stress management or relaxation techniques such as meditation, prayer, and mindfulness.

Also, remember that if the only things you were able to really get done during the day was taking a shower or cooking dinner, that is enough. You are trying your best and sometimes just doing the very basics of self-care is a good foundation to start with. Nutrition and hydration are important for everyone.

Seek Professional Help

Self-care is an important step to try and combat depression, but that is just the foundation. It's also important to seek the support of licensed professionals.

Depression is often most effectively treated with the combination of therapy and possible medication management. Talking to your primary care doctor can be a great first step. There are also clinicians at The Next Step that are happy to help if you are interested in therapy.

Click here for more information on depression therapy.

What Is Depression?