While being sad at times is quite normal. Depression is a common chronic psychological illness, like a chronic state of sadness. Depression and sadness can put you in a debilitating condition that causes you to waste time, energy, and productivity because you are sad. When feeling low, you feel like crying, alone, and demotivated.
Depression affects your mood. Thus, you are captive to feelings of emptiness and unfulfillment.
Undoubtedly, when you are down, you feel confused, anxious, worried, or sad for no reason.
Depression doesn’t discriminate. In fact, it can affect everyone. From older adults, young adults, and children to teenagers, males and females. And anyone in between.
What are the Causes of Depression and Sadness?
Research has yet to unravel the actual cause of depression and sadness. While other health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, for example, can have specific reasons. Depression, however, can be challenging to diagnose as various factors can lead to it.
These factors include chemical imbalances in the brain. At the same time, It can also involve genetics and a family history of depression—traumatic life-changing events like losing a loved one. Furthermore, medical conditions can affect our feelings, and medications can have severe side effects, causing depression.
What are the Symptoms of Depression and Sadness?
The common symptoms of depression include constant sadness, hopelessness, and worry—feelings of irritation, frustration, and insecurity are also common.
Indecisiveness, loss of memory and difficulty in focusing. Energy levels can be low, and fatigue takes over.
Sleeping patterns are affected either by insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much).
Similarly, one’s appetite can go to either end of the spectrum – you can eat too much or too little.
Depression can also manifest physically in our bodies. It can cause headaches, stomach cramps or sexual malfunctioning. Therefore, depression can be a physical illness, too.
Depression, mainly a mental dysfunction, affects our thinking ability. It can lead to thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
Suppose you have been experiencing one, two, or any combination of the above symptoms for over two weeks. Most likely, you are suffering from depression, and you are not alone. The number of depression sufferers worldwide has skyrocketed in the last century.
Moreover, depressive symptoms can vary from person to person. Signs are also associated with the type of depression experienced:
- Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), including, Seasonal Affective Disorder; Prenatal Depression and Postpartum Depression and Atypical Depression;
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD);
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) or Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
What are the Medical Treatments for Depression and Sadness?
There are many ways to treat depression. Because depression is not an exact science – different treatments will suit different needs:
- Psychotherapy: Talking to someone might help identify unhealthy emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. The most common type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioural therapy.
- Anti-depressants: Traditional Western medicine to treat depression. These drugs target different molecular pathways in the brain. Thus promoting or inhibiting the production of our feel-good hormones: serotonin (the mood stabiliser), dopamine (the pleasure hormone), endorphins (the anti-stress and pain hormones), and oxytocin (the love hormone).
- Alternative Medicine: As people learn more about Traditional Western medicine’s pros- and cons-. More people are turning to alternative remedies to keep their depression under wraps. Some examples include techniques of acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback.
- Brain stimulation therapy: Within this category of anti-depression treatments – patients can opt for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). VNS is at present all over social media.
- Will power: Assume you have the ability within your brain to make small lifestyle changes. Despite your feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety – you must take charge of your life:
What Else can you do for Depression and Sadness?
- Do exercise more regularly;
- Be strict with your bedtime routine and ensure quality sleep. Don’t allow yourself to sleep too much or too little;
- Follow a healthy diet. Let go of all the bad stuff for your body. Nowadays, there is so much information and education at your fingertips; therefore, listen and follow sound advice;
- Avoid alcohol if you are down – alcohol can make you more depressed;
- Be smart with your daily choices – spend quality time with loved ones. Use your time wisely, as life is short;
- Find joy in the little things life has to offer. Find something to be grateful for. No matter how small. You might find that there is no space in your heart for depression.
Lastly, Are you Ready to Awaken your Brain and Fight Back?
Before diving into medical intervention, you can awaken your spiritual brain. Science is showing that a spiritual life is neuroprotective against depression. Dr. Lisa Miller is a clinical psychologist and researcher at Columbia University. She is the author of several books. Check out her latest book: “The Awakening Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.” In this book, Dr. Miller states, based on scans of the brain:
“Recent research in neuroscience, genetics, and epidemiology now establish that humans are not only universally equipped with a capacity for (and inclination towards) spirituality but that our brains, when awakened, become more resilient and robust—and our lives more meaningful and content.”
The good news is that depression is a treatable mental illness. Many persons with depression respond well to treatment. They can lead everyday lives surrounded by their loved ones.
Many of our world’s population rely on anti-depressants to proceed with their lives. That’s the bad news.
Contact your healthcare provider if you need help with the advice on this information post.
But keep in mind that a grateful heart and depression seldom co-exist together!