Approximately one in every five young adults between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four suffer from clinical depression. Around five thousand within this group commit suicide every year. Even more disturbing— around seventy-five percent of people with mental disorders, never receive the treatment they need.
What is Depression
Depression belongs to a cluster of mental disorders that have a tendency toward comorbidity. This means that two or more mental conditions exist simultaneously in a given sufferer. Common disorders that sit alongside depression include anxiety, bipolar depression, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Diagnosing depression is handled on a case by case basis. Although there is no official depression testing regime, primary doctors can give insight into personal symptoms and background history.
If a doctor suspects a mental condition is likely, he or she may suggest visiting a mental health professional. This would entitle a consultation with a psychologist and/or a psychiatrist. These specialists can determine the best path of treatment and medication options for the given case.
Symptoms of Depression
Signs of chronic depression are different than the hormonal or event-driven depressive episodes.
As a mental condition, depression includes suicidal thoughts, insomnia or unstable sleeping patterns, poor concentration and memory, and severe dips in motivation and energy levels. Individuals may also express strong waves of irritability and self-destructive feelings such as apathy, inadequacy or worthlessness.
Through the eyes of a sufferer, the following poem describes what depression feels like:
Sometimes I feel like I don’t have a purpose.
Life can suck even when there’s no reason for
it to. I try to remember I’m loved but it’s hard
to believe when I’m so depressed.I wake up a ghost.
My skin is cold,
and there are creases under my eyes
like ruffled dirty sheets.Salt and pepper static block my line of vision
and I shuffle slowly. So slowly.You can’t tell but with each step my veins pulsate, as if
they’re ready to jump out of my skin and into
the body of someone like him—
someone brighter and more approachable
than my head allows me to believe I can be.
There is an emptiness that lingers inside my heartAnd I just want to sleep
a little while longer
to see if something changes
and mostly, to dream of a love that’s here to stay.Dear Brother,
This love exists, and I see you.
How Exercise Can Heal
Depression sufferers may also benefit from the mood boost of physical activity.
Although it may feel like the last thing on their minds, sufferers who engage in regular exercise reap substantial benefits. According to Dr. Miller of Harvard Medical, ”[for] some people, it works as well as antidepressants.”
Regular, low-intensity exercise results in improved brain function. When this feeling clicks in, it makes us feel good.
Dr. Miller also explains that “[in] people who are depressed, neuroscientists have noticed that the hippocampus in the brain—the region that helps regulate mood—is smaller.” By partaking in regular, moderately intense (but still enjoyable) exercise, nerve cells are able to continue appropriately. This is what is biologically responsible for relieving depression.
Like most things in life, exercise is best done in moderation. Start small. Take a brisk walk or light jog for five or ten minutes each day and experiment.
You don’t have to be another Jillian Michaels mule or drop weights. See what consistent exercise does for your mood, energy, and even your sleeping patterns. If you’re looking to heal, it may be time to get serious and get your heart pumping.
I feel that people should relize it’s disease Iv’e tried everything to get better.I know where going through tough times right know.I’m drinking more just too cope.It just suck’s I hope we all get truogh these rough times.I’m going to keep the fight up and not let this covid thing get to me.Stay strong were all in this together.Deppression suck’s but stay strong.I’m batteling 2 thing’s Keep strong All the best.
Depression is an illness. We appreciate what you shared with us. You got this. Make sure you have great support around you. You deserve to live and you are worth it.