Depression
Sadness from time to time is just part of being a human. If your sadness goes above and beyond and transforms into hopelessness and despair, it may actually be depression. Depression deeply affects the way a person feels, thinks, behaves, and can be debilitating to your personal life.
This condition is socially isolating and can make the future itself seem bleak and entirely hopeless. Despite the way your depression makes you feel, there is hope for the future with the right lifestyle changes and treatment options.
Do I have depression?
Depression appears very differently in different people, but most cases have some signs and symptoms in common. Having some of these symptoms occasionally occur in normal life, but with depression they are more intense and longer-lasting.
Symptoms include:
• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
• Lack of interest in daily activities
• Changes in appetite or weight (including weight gain or weight loss)
• Changes in sleep patterns (either sleeping too little or too much)
• Angry outbursts
• Irritability
• Lack of energy and fatigue
• Feelings of guilt, self-loathing, and self-shame
• Reckless or self-destructive behavior
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• Unexplained physical aches and pains
How did I develop depression?
To put it simply, depression is… complicated. Other conditions, like the common cold, have a traceable medical cause and therefore treatment is fairly straightforward. Depression is actually a complex mix of biological, genetic, and environmental factors.
Pop culture distorts how we view depression, often presenting it as nothing more than a chemical imbalance in the brain. This is only a part-truth, however, as depression can also be brought on by stressful life events, trauma, substance abuse, hormonal changes, or certain conditions as well.
Other risk factors that can contribute to the development of depression include the following:
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Relationship problems
• Stressful life experiences, either personal or professional
• Chronic disease or pain
• Family history of depression or anxiety
• Personality and temperament
• Abuse or trauma early in your childhood
• Substance abuse
How do I treat depression?
Treatment Options
Depression treatment is entering an optimistic new age thanks to traditional treatments and innovative new techniques like ketamine infusion therapy. With the right treatment, you can find relief from your symptoms. If you think this treatment is right for you, and would like to learn more, contact us at Advantage Infusions to learn more about our innovative new treatment options.
Lifestyle Changes
Depression can be socially isolating, and has a way of making you think you have to solve all the world’s problems on your own. Perhaps the best thing you can do to combat the symptoms of your depression is build a social support net. Support can come in lots of forms: friends, family, therapists, doctors, support groups, etc.
Depression can make old hobbies hard to enjoy. Take some time to get out of your comfort zone (only for a little while) and try to make yourself enjoy something again. Maybe it won’t work, but you may find it helps you combat your symptoms for a little while. You may also find yourself impressed with how much you are still able to accomplish.
Your mental health also greatly relies on your physical health. Take care of your body, and you can support your mind as well. Try to get around eight hours of sleep at night, eat well-balanced meals, and spend some time practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.