Psychology Facts

▲ Depression ▲

(READ AUTHORS NOTE BELOW)

Does anyone else feel like depression is over medialized nowadays?? And people are just starting to self diagnose, and somewhat belittle the illness?? (I have been clinically diagnosed 3 times so I'm allowed to say this) like all these people are out here said oh I have depression when in reality they're sad for a few days... like you have to feel that way for two weeks straight to consider getting diagnosed.

Also if you believe you suffer from deppression PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE seek help I promise you wont regret it. <3

This ones long so buckle up duclkings!!

》Everyone experiences sadness at times. But depression is something more. Depression is extreme sadness or despair that lasts more than days. It interferes with the activities of daily life and can cause physical symptoms such as pain, weight loss or gain, sleeping pattern disruptions, or lack of energy.

》A depressive episode is different from regular mood fluctuations. They last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

Depression causes different symptoms in different people
Someone who is depressed may experience any number of the following symptoms for at least two weeks:

persistent feelings of sadness
hopelessness
lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
difficulty concentrating
difficulty taking care of yourself
irritability
a change in sleep patterns
a change in appetite
increased anxiety
body aches
thoughts of self-harm or suicide

》Other symptoms are also present, which may include:
poor concentration
feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth
hopelessness about the future
thoughts about dying or suicide
disrupted sleep
changes in appetite or weight
feeling very tired or low in energy.

Depression can cause difficulties in all aspects of life, including in the community and at home, work and school.

》A depressive episode can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number and severity of symptoms, as well as the impact on the individual's functioning.

》Depression affects people of different ethnicities differently
According to data from 2017, rates of depressive episodes were highest in adults who reported two or more races.

two or more races: 11.3%
American Indian or Alaskan native: 8%
white: 7.9%
Hispanic: 5.4%
Black: 5.4%
native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 4.7%
Asian: 4.4%

》Depression is not a one-size-fits-all mental health disorder. The different types of "depressive disorder," as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) include:

Major depressive disorder. This type is also known as major depression or clinical depression.

Dysthymia. Otherwise known as persistent depressive disorder, this condition drags on for over two years.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD causes symptoms of depression, as well as irritability and anxiety, before your menstrual period.

Depressive psychosis. This condition combines severe depression with hallucinations or delusions.

Atypical depression. With this kind of depression, people feel better for short periods before it returns.

Seasonal affective disorder. This is believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythm due to the shorter days in winter seasons.