What is the difference between depression vs. low mood? | Are depression and a low mood a dangerous combination?

What is the difference between depression vs. low mood? | Are depression and a low mood a dangerous combination?

What is the difference between depression vs. low mood?

A low mood is usually triggered by current stresses; for example, disappointments, stress, financial worries, limiting physical disorders or conflict with other people. People affected by low mood feel more exhausted, more thin-skinned or more restless than usual. Some people need more time for themselves, while others try to distract themselves or confide their problems in trusted people such as friends or relatives. A low mood is not a psychological illness. It reflects the current emotional state in the context of current events.

Depression, on the other hand, can develop if a variety of stress factors occur at the same time or a low mood lasts for more than two weeks. Women are affected by this illness around twice as often as men. Doctors differentiate the following severities depending on the number of main and additional symptoms: minor depressive episode, moderate depressive episode, major depressive episode.

Are depression and a low mood a dangerous combination?

Many people experience phases from time to time in which they feel down, restless, tired, sad and lack drive. Often, such a depth of emotion passes after one or two weeks. However, if the negative thoughts and feelings last for longer and are more severe than usual, this is generally a low mood that, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to serious depression.

What are the causes of low moods and depression?

The causes of low moods or depression are completely different. These include diseases affecting the metabolism (for example diabetes) and neurological diseases. Furthermore, severe infectious diseases and heart disease have a major effect on the psyche. Older people are affected especially often by illnesses and major changes in their life and are more at risk of developing a low mood. Medications can also trigger a low mood in older people, or also young people.

Which symptoms point to a low mood or depression?

Diagnosis of a low mood or in the worst case scenario depression is not always easy. If typical signs persist for longer than two weeks this can indicate an episode of depression.

The main symptoms include:

• Persistent low mood
• Lack of drive and exhaustion
• Loss of pleasure and lack of interest
• Increased fatigue

Additional symptoms may include:

• Feelings of self-doubt and inferiority
• Feelings of guilt
• Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
• Sleep disorders
• Hopelessness
• Changes in appetite
• Suicidal thoughts

Furthermore, other characteristic symptoms include:

• Brooding
• Restlessness
• Lack of emotion
• Loss of libido
• Physical symptoms

How can depression be treated?

Regardless of the cause, depression is treated with medication and/or psychotherapy. The medications are primarily antidepressants. In contrast to painkillers or sedatives, it generally takes around 10 to 14 days before the patient starts to see an initial improvement of their symptoms. Therefore, it is important for people who are affected take the prescribed medication consistently and do not discontinue the medication of their own accord due to a perceived lack of effectiveness. The active participation of the patient is a prerequisite for beneficial psychotherapy. Therefore, the psychotherapeutic conversation can only take place after preparatory treatment with antidepressants if the depression is severe. The most suitable psychotherapeutic method is defined in a personal therapy concept between the doctor and patient.

What is a seasonal affective disorder?

The long hours of darkness in the autumn and winter months lead to a temporary depressed mood in many people. However, this is not usually a depression in the medical sense. The true seasonal affective disorder is rare and only affects around one to three percent of the total population. Sufferers of this are not necessarily sad and depressed, but primarily tired, listless and exhausted. An increased need for sleep and craving sweet foods high in calories are typical for seasonal affective disorder.

The lack of natural daylight and the reduced light intensity during the dark months cause this form of depression. Light signals to the body to produce the mood-enhancing hormone serotonin. At the same time, the body minimizes the release of the hormone melatonin which influences the rhythm of waking and sleeping.

The seasonal affective disorder is treated the same way as other forms of depression. Many patients benefit from a special light therapy with very bright light sources (at least 10,000 lux), which compensate for the lack of light and artificially lengthen the day. With just this therapy, it is difficult to get the depression under control.
Helping people to help themselves – what can people affected do?

While severe depression essentially belongs in medical hands, the following measures may help to regain emotional balance in the case of mild depression:

• Sport and exercise
• Relaxation exercises (meditation, yoga, autogenic training)
• Talking and social contact
• A wholesome diet
• Sufficient light (exercise in the fresh air)
• Enough free time for compensatory and/or exciting hobbies
• Regular times for sleeping and waking.

Furthermore, naturopathy offers a variety of options for self-medication. For example, high-dose extracts of St. John's wort block the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in nerve cells. These neurotransmitters remain in the so-called synaptic cleft (space between the nerve cells) and continue to exert an effect.

There are a variety of options for self-tests on the internet for those people who are not sure whether their problem is a low mood or is already depression. For example, the Max Planck Institute created such a test for the WHO. However, in the case of a severe low mood that persists for longer, a doctor or psychotherapist is the appropriate point of contact.

Study: The secret logic of depression

Depth psychological study reveals a hidden structure. Our contemporary culture is geared towards maximising happiness and promises everyone unlimited achievement. So the interesting question is: How does a depression with its never-ending sadness, the feeling of paralysis or isolation equate to the maxim that everyone forges their own destiny?

A current Pascoe study by the Rheingold Institute sheds light on the problem. In two-hour probing interviews, the interviewers triggered a wave of narratives, which downright inundated the interviewers. Amazing findings were brought to light on the structure of depressive moods extending far beyond a biologistic-genetic or medical-chemical consideration.

This structure results in courses of action for ways out of the depression:

• Openly confront your own aspirations and put them into perspective
• Incorporate some room for manoeuvre into your daily life: extended breaks, open days, moments for boredom and idleness
• Have confidence not only to use the label depression but also to share with others how you are really feeling
• Set priorities in your everyday life: Try out little imperfect intermediate steps
• Radiate energy outwards and open your horizon beyond the symptoms
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Hygiene for the psyche instead of a gentle wash cycle:
• Defend yourself actively
• Mourn losses or setbacks - do not just accept them
• Also, make yourself unpopular

Be willing to take constraints not only as an affront but as an impulse to actively call yourself and your environment into question.

Help is key to combating depression and despondency

If depression and despondency continue for long or they constantly dominate your daily life, you should not fail to consult your physician or alternative practitioner.

Further advice

• Be aware that depression is not due to personal failure or a character defect.
• Talk with friends and a therapist.
• Learn to say "NO"!
• Benefit from the sun and sport's capacity to heal: get plenty of exercise in the fresh air.
• Sleep at regular times and do not retire to bed during the day.
• Do not put yourself under pressure, but set specific and clear goals for the day.
• Do not hold back your tears; they can release pressure.
• Learn and do regular relaxation exercises (yoga, autogenic training, Tai Chi).
• Find out more about "the secret logic of depression".

Stop Testing Your Partner | Testing your partner can cause problems

Sonya and Martin (not their real names) have been dating for six months, and Martin has shown himself to be a loving and thoughtful partner.

Sonya wants to register the two of them for a Wednesday night salsa class, but she knows that Martin plays poker with his friends on Wednesdays.

Eyeliner Drawing Methods: Best Eyeliner Tips for Perfect Lines

How to draw eyeliner, what are the methods of drawing eyeliner, and what are the best eyeliners? 

We searched for answers to all these questions for you. Here is everything you need to know about eyeliner and eyeliner suggestions ...

What are the benefits of ceiling fans? | The 5 Best Fans of 2020

What are the benefits of ceiling fans?

Most fans are built for year-round use, and taking advantage of this can help homeowners improve their energy savings. According to estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy, correctly using a ceiling fan can save on both cooling and heating costs. When used in conjunction with air conditioning in summer, you can raise the thermostat 4 degrees with no loss of comfort and recoup up to 30 percent on your energy bills; in winter, you can expect to cut costs by up to 15 percent. 

To fully realize the savings, you must get in the habit of turning off the ceiling fan when all the occupants have left a room. The fan operates by making people in the room feel cooler or warmer, rather than changing the temperature of the air itself. Therefore, shutting the fan off when the room is empty ensures no electricity is wasted. Installing a ceiling fan with remote control or a ceiling fan switch makes it much easier to control the ceiling fan operation, with many remotes offering fan direction changes at the tap of a button. Absent a remote or wall switch, ceiling fans have a reverse switch on the motor housing. Check the location of that switch before you purchase a new ceiling fan to be sure that it is easy to reach. 

Tip: Remember that indoor ceiling fans cannot be installed outdoors because the heat and humidity can warp the blades or damage the motor.  

10+ Small Room İdeas

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As interior designer Rita Konig states 'It is often in those small rooms that might not look so promising that you can find the fun in a house.' Small rooms may be a challenge, but they are one to be approached with a sense of adventure rather than dread. If you really think through the intended purpose and do some research, you'll end up with a creatively-designed and practical room of the house that you can't be without. 

Rita continues with her small room decorating advice: 'Give rooms like this thought. The inclination is to ignore them, shove leftover bits of furniture in there and wonder why they are not that nice. The good thing about going to town in a small room is that you need less of everything. So throw it some love and think how divine it will be to have TV suppers while sitting on a comfortable sofa.' Think of it as an opportunity to create a cosy haven for yourself or someone in your household. Perhaps you need a study or a place to do some serious reading? 

Small spaces are ideal for that. Whatever you decide to do, don't be daunted and let these ideas help guide you.

Allergies | Symptoms of allergies | Living with allergies

Allergies

An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that’s not typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They can include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.

Your immune system’s job is to keep you healthy by fighting harmful pathogens. It does this by attacking anything it thinks could put your body in danger. Depending on the allergen, this response may involve inflammation, sneezing, or a host of other symptoms.

Your immune system normally adjusts to your environment. For example, when your body encounters something like pet dander, it should realize it’s harmless. In people with dander allergies, the immune system perceives it as an outside invader threatening the body and attacks it.

Allergies are common. Several treatments can help you avoid your symptoms.

Symptoms of allergies

The symptoms you experience because of allergies are the result of several factors. These include the type of allergy you have and how severe the allergy is.

If you take any medication before an anticipated allergic response, you may still experience some of these symptoms, but they may be reduced.

For food allergies

Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue, and more. It may take a while for a person to realize that they have a food allergy. If you have a serious reaction after a meal and you’re not sure why, see a medical professional immediately. They can find the exact cause of your reaction or refer you to a specialist.

For seasonal allergies

Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold. They include congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes. Most of the time, you can manage these symptoms at home using over-the-counter treatments. See your doctor if your symptoms become unmanageable.

For severe allergies

Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms after coming in contact with a possible allergen, seek medical help immediately.

Everyone’s signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are different. Read more about allergy symptoms and what might cause them.

Allergies on skin

Skin allergies may be a sign or symptom of an allergy. They may also be the direct result of exposure to an allergen.

For example, eating a food you’re allergic to can cause several symptoms. You may experience tingling in your mouth and throat. You may also develop a rash.

Contact dermatitis, however, is the result of your skin coming into direct contact with an allergen. This could happen if you touch something you’re allergic to, such as a cleaning product or plant.

Types of skin allergies include:

• Rashes. Areas of skin are irritated, red, or swollen, and can be painful or itchy.
• Eczema. Patches of skin become inflamed and can itch and bleed.
• Contact dermatitis. Red, itchy patches of skin develop almost immediately after contact with an allergen.
• Sore throat. Pharynx or throat is irritated or inflamed.
• Hives. Red, itchy, and raised welts of various sizes and shapes develop on the surface of the skin.
• Swollen eyes. Eyes may be watery or itchy and look “puffy.”
• Itching. There’s irritation or inflammation in the skin.
• Burning. Skin inflammation leads to discomfort and stinging sensations on the skin.

Rashes are one of the most common symptoms of a skin allergy. Find out how to identify rashes and how to treat them.

Causes of allergies

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why the immune system causes an allergic reaction when a normally harmless foreign substance enters the body.

Allergies have a genetic component. This means parents can pass them down to their children. However, only a general susceptibility to allergic reaction is genetic. Specific allergies aren’t passed down. For instance, if your mother is allergic to shellfish, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be, too.

Common types of allergens include:

• Animal products. These include pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches.
• Drugs. Penicillin and sulfa drugs are common triggers.
• Foods. Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg allergies are common.
• Insect stings. These include bees, wasps, and mosquitoes.
• Mold. Airborne spores from mold can trigger a reaction.
• Plants. Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, are very common plant allergens.
• Other allergens. Latex, often found in latex gloves and condoms, and metals like nickel are also common allergens.

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are some of the most common allergies. These are caused by pollen released by plants. They cause:

• itchy eyes
• watery eyes
• runny nose
• coughing

Food allergies are becoming more common. Find out about the most common types of food allergies and the symptoms they cause.

Allergy treatments

The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the reaction. If that’s not possible, there are treatment options available.

Medication

Allergy treatment often includes medications like antihistamines to control symptoms. The medication can be over the counter or prescription. What your doctor recommends depends on the severity of your allergies.

Allergy medications include:

• antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• corticosteroids
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)
• decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE, Sudafed)
• leukotriene modifiers (Singulair, Zyflo)

Singulair should only be prescribed if there are no other suitable treatment options. This is because it increases your riskTrusted Source of serious behavioral and mood changes, such as suicidal thoughts and actions.

Immunotherapy

Many people opt for immunotherapy. This involves several injections over the course of a few years to help the body get used to your allergy. Successful immunotherapy can prevent allergy symptoms from returning.

Emergency epinephrine

If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, carry an emergency epinephrine shot. The shot counters allergic reactions until medical help arrives. Common brands of this treatment include EpiPen and Twinject.

Some allergic responses are a medical emergency. Prepare for these emergency situations by knowing allergic reaction first aid.

Natural remedies for allergies

Many natural remedies and supplements are marketed as a treatment and even a way to prevent allergies. Discuss these with your doctor before trying them. Some natural treatments may actually contain other allergens and make your symptoms worse.

For example, some dried teas use flowers and plants that are closely related to plants that might be causing you serious sneezing. The same is true for essential oils. Some people use these oils to relieve common symptoms of allergies, but essential oils still contain ingredients that can cause allergies.

Each type of allergy has a host of natural remedies that may help speed up recovery. There are also natural options for children’s allergies, too.             

How allergies are diagnosed

Your doctor can diagnose allergies in several ways.

First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They’ll ask about anything unusual you may have eaten recently and any substances you may have come in contact with. For example, if you have a rash on your hands, your doctor may ask if you put on latex gloves recently.

Lastly, a blood test and skin test can confirm or diagnose allergens your doctor suspects you have.

Allergy blood test

Your doctor may order a blood test. Your blood will be tested for the presence of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These are cells that react to allergens. Your doctor will use a blood test to confirm a diagnosis if they’re worried about the potential for a severe allergic reaction.

Skin test

Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist for testing and treatment. A skin test is a common type of allergy test carried out by an allergist.

During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched with small needles containing potential allergens. Your skin’s reaction is documented. If you’re allergic to a particular substance, your skin will become red and inflamed.

Different tests may be needed to diagnose all your potential allergies. Start here to get a better understanding of how allergy testing works.

Preventing symptoms

There’s no way to prevent allergies. But there are ways to prevent the symptoms from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid the allergens that trigger them.

Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent food allergy symptoms. An elimination diet can help you determine the cause of your allergies so you know how to avoid them. To help you avoid food allergens, thoroughly read food labels and ask questions while dining out.

Preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies comes down to knowing where the allergens are located and how to avoid them. If you’re allergic to dust, for example, you can help reduce symptoms by installing proper air filters in your home, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned, and dusting your home regularly.

Proper allergy testing can help you pinpoint your exact triggers, which makes them easier to avoid. These other tips can also help you avoid dangerous allergic reactions.

Complications of allergies

While you may think of allergies as those pesky sniffles and sneezes that come around every new season, some of these allergic reactions can actually be life-threatening.

Anaphylaxis, for example, is a serious reaction to the exposure of allergens. Most people associate anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause the telltale signs:

• suddenly narrowed airways
• increased heart rate
• possible swelling of the tongue and mouth

Allergy symptoms can create many complications. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms as well as the difference between a sensitivity and a full-blown allergy. Your doctor can also teach you how to manage your allergy symptoms so that you can avoid the worst complications.

Asthma and allergies

Asthma is a common respiratory condition. It makes breathing more difficult and can narrow the air passageways in your lungs.

Asthma is closely related to allergies. Indeed, allergies can make existing asthma worse. It can also trigger asthma in a person who’s never had the condition.

When these conditions occur together, it’s a condition called allergy-induced asthma, or allergic asthma. Allergic asthma affects about 60 percent of people who have asthma in the United States, estimates the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Many people with allergies may develop asthma. Here’s how to recognize if it happens to you.

Allergies vs. cold

Runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are common symptoms of allergies. They also happen to be common symptoms of a cold and a sinus infection. Indeed, deciphering between the sometimes-generic symptoms can be difficult.

However, additional signs and symptoms of the conditions may help you distinguish between the three. For example, allergies can cause rashes on your skin and itchy eyes. The common cold can lead to body aches, even fever. A sinus infection typically produces thick, yellow discharge from your nose.

Allergies can impact your immune system for prolonged periods of time. When the immune system is compromised, it makes you more likely to pick up viruses you come into contact with. This includes the virus that causes the common cold.

In turn, having allergies actually increases your risk for having more colds. Identify the differences between the two common conditions with this helpful chart.

Allergy cough

Hay fever can produce symptoms that include sneezing, coughing, and a persistent, stubborn cough. It’s the result of your body’s overreaction to allergens. It isn’t contagious, but it can be miserable.

Unlike a chronic cough, a cough caused by allergies and hay fever is temporary. You may only experience the symptoms of this seasonal allergy during specific times of the year, when plants are first blooming.

Additionally, seasonal allergies can trigger asthma, and asthma can cause coughing. When a person with common seasonal allergies is exposed to an allergen, tightening airways can lead to a cough. Shortness of breath and chest tightening may also occur. Find out why hay fever coughs are typically worse at night and what you can do to ease them.

Allergies and bronchitis

Viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis, or it can be the result of allergies. The first type, acute bronchitis, typically ends after several days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, can linger for months, possibly longer. It may also return frequently.

Exposure to common allergens is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. These allergens include:

• cigarette smoke
• air pollution
• dust
• pollen
• chemical fumes

Unlike seasonal allergies, many of these allergens linger in environments like houses or offices. That can make chronic bronchitis more persistent and more likely to return.

A cough is the only common symptom between chronic and acute bronchitis.

Allergies and babies

Skin allergies are more common in younger children today than they were just a few decades ago. However, skin allergies decrease as children grow older. Respiratory and food allergies become more common as children get older.

Common skin allergies on babies include:

• Eczema. This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red rashes that itch. These rashes may develop slowly but be persistent.
• Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of skin allergy appears quickly, often immediately after your baby comes into contact with the irritant. More serious contact dermatitis can develop into painful blisters and cause skin cracking.
• Hives. Hives are red bumps or raised areas of skin that develop after exposure to an allergen. They don’t become scaly and crack, but itching the hives may make the skin bleed.

Unusual rashes or hives on your baby’s body may alarm you. Understanding the difference in the type of skin allergies babies commonly experience can help you find a better treatment.

Living with allergies

Allergies are common and don’t have life-threatening consequences for most people. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learn how to manage their allergies and what to do in an emergency situation.

Most allergies are manageable with avoidance, medications, and lifestyle changes. Working with your doctor or allergist can help reduce any major complications and make life more enjoyable.

https://www.healthline.com/

What is Sociological Theory?

 What is Sociological Theory? I'll give you some information about what social theory is. Let's find out what social theory is.

Sociology is a social science that examines the elements that produce social reality in the context of social reality. Sociologists who are engaged in sociology and trying to access the knowledge of the social reality they are interested in do not have the opportunity to directly examine and investigate the social reality and its elements in their own way. Sociologists who try to access the knowledge of social reality try to explain the events and facts that take place within social reality from within certain models and acceptances. 

What is a Scientific a Theory?

Now I want to write you a few words about what is a scientific theory.

The purpose of each science is to reach the information of the object to which it is directed to explain. Sciences are considered as systematic information wholes.

However, it is not a simple process for sciences to obtain the information of the objects they are talking about. The sciences examine the objects or reality they are trying to access because of certain models. These models help scientists understand and explain the object that is being accessed. 

In addition, even in sciences oriented towards the same field of objects, there are approaches and scientists who accept reality differently due to different models. Theories offer scientists, scientific models. Thus, the theory is closely related to the production of knowledge and knowledge. In general, the following definitions have been made for theory.