Coping with Depression: Understanding symptoms and solutions

By Jasmeen Kaur

Depression is a condition that affects not only our emotions but also our cognitive abilities, physical well-being, and overall quality of life. At its core, depression is far more than the fleeting sadness that is an inevitable part of the human experience. It is a pervasive mental health disorder characterised by persistent feelings of melancholy, emptiness, and a profound lack of interest or pleasure in activities that once brought joy. Depression can occur due to both external and internal factors and is often the result of a combination of these factors.

Depression isn’t a sign of weakness, and one cannot simply “snap out” of it. It often requires long-term treatment. Most people with depression experience improvement through medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

Symptoms: The symptoms of depression can vary slightly depending on the type and can range from mild to severe. In general, symptoms include:

1. Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
2. Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration, even over small matters
3. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as hobbies or sports
4. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or excessive sleeping
5. Fatigue and lack of energy, making even small tasks require extra effort
6. Changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or increased cravings and weight gain
7. Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
8. Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
9. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
10. Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
11. Difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
12. Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For many people with depression, these symptoms can interfere with their daily activities, including work, school, and relationships with others.

Types of Depression:

1. Clinical Depression (Major Depressive Disorder): This diagnosis signifies feeling sad or worthless for most days, along with other symptoms like sleep problems, loss of interest in activities, or changes in appetite. It is the most severe and one of the most common forms of depression.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Also known as Dysthymia, this is a mild but long-term form of depression characterised by a low mood persisting for at least two years.
3. Postpartum Depression: This form of depression occurs during pregnancy and develops within four weeks of delivering a baby. Those who experience postpartum depression are at a greater risk of developing major depression later in life.
4. Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a group of mood disorders in which symptoms of mania and depression alternate.
5. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): This is an unusual disorder in women that typically begins a week before menstruation and subsides within the first few days of menstruation. Symptoms must be severe enough to impair functioning in social activities, work, and relationships.

There are many more types of depression as well.

Causes of Depression: Researchers don’t know the exact cause of depression, but they believe several factors contribute to its development, including:

• Brain chemistry
• Genetics
• Stressful life events
• Medical conditions
• Medications

Diagnosis: Depression can be diagnosed based on an understanding of your symptoms and medical history.

Treatment Options: Treatment options for depression include:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy (talk therapy) involves discussing your thoughts and emotions with a mental health professional who helps you identify and change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviours.
• Medication: Antidepressants can help regulate the brain chemistry associated with depression.