Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Depression symptoms | Depression causes | Depression test

Depression symptoms | Depression causes | Depression test
Depression symptoms | Depression causes | Depression test

Depression can be more than a constant state of sadness or feeling “blue.”
Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood, and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing, or come and go.
The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among men, women, and children differently.
Men may experience symptoms related to their:
  • mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness
  • emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, hopeless
  • behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities
  • sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire, lack of sexual performance
  • cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, delayed responses during conversations
  • sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, not sleeping through the night
  • physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, digestive problems
Women may experience symptoms related to their:
  • mood, such as irritability
  • emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious or hopeless
  • behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, thoughts of suicide
  • cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly
  • sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, sleeping too much
  • physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, increased cramps
Children may experience symptoms related to their:
  • mood, such as irritability, anger, mood swings, crying
  • emotional well-being, such as feelings of incompetence (e.g. “I can’t do anything right”) or despair, crying, intense sadness
  • behavior, such as getting into trouble at school or refusing to go to school, avoiding friends or siblings, thoughts of death or suicide
  • cognitive abilities, such as difficulty concentrating, decline in school performance, changes in grades
  • sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • physical well-being, such as loss of energy, digestive problems, changes in appetite, weight loss or gain
The symptoms can extend beyond your mind.

There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial.
Common causes include:
  • Family history. You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.
  • Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.
  • Brain structure. There’s a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don’t know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.
  • Medical conditions. Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Drug use. A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.


About 21 percent of people who have a substance use problem also experience depression. In addition to these causes, other risk factors for depression include:
  • low self-esteem or being self-critical
  • personal history of mental illness
  • certain medications
  • stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce
Many factors can influence feelings of depression, as well as who develops the condition and who doesn’t.
The causes of depression are often tied to other elements of your health.
However, in many cases, healthcare providers are unable to determine what’s causing depression.



There isn’t a single test to diagnose depression. But your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and a psychological evaluation.
In most cases, they’ll ask a series of questions about your:
  • moods
  • appetite
  • sleep pattern
  • activity level
  • thoughts
Because depression can be linked to other health problems, your healthcare provider may also conduct a physical examination and order blood work. Sometimes thyroid problems or a vitamin D deficiency can trigger symptoms of depression.
Don’t ignore symptoms of depression. If your mood doesn’t improve or gets worse, seek medical help. Depression is a serious mental health illness with the potential for complications.
If left untreated, complications can include:
  • weight gain or loss
  • physical pain
  • substance use problems
  • panic attacks
  • relationship problems
  • social isolation
  • thoughts of suicide
  • self-harm

Depression can be broken into categories depending on the severity of symptoms. Some people experience mild and temporary episodes, while others experience severe and ongoing depressive episodes.
There are two main types: major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is the more severe form of depression. It’s characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness that don’t go away on their own.
In order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, you must experience 5 or more of the following symptoms over a 2-week period:
  • feeling depressed most of the day
  • loss of interest in most regular activities
  • significant weight loss or gain
  • sleeping a lot or not being able to sleep
  • slowed thinking or movement
  • fatigue or low energy most days
  • feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • loss of concentration or indecisiveness
  • recurring thoughts of death or suicide
There are different subtypes of major depressive disorder, which the American Psychiatric Association refers to as “specifiers.”
These include:
  • atypical features
  • anxious distress
  • mixed features
  • peripartum onset, during pregnancy or right after giving birth
  • seasonal patterns
  • melancholic features
  • psychotic features
  • catatonia

Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) used to be called dysthymia. It’s a milder, but chronic, form of depression.
In order for the diagnosis to be made, symptoms must last for at least 2 years. PDD can affect your life more than major depression because it lasts for a longer period.
It’s common for people with PDD to:
  • lose interest in normal daily activities
  • feel hopeless
  • lack productivity
  • have low self-esteem


Depression can be treated successfully, but it’s important to stick to your treatment plan.

Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider about possible options.
You may successfully manage symptoms with one form of treatment, or you may find that a combination of treatments works best.
It’s common to combine medical treatments and lifestyle therapies, including the following:

Medications

Your healthcare provider may prescribe:
  • antidepressants
  • antianxiety
  • antipsychotic medications
Each type of medication that’s used to treat depression has benefits and potential risks.

Psychotherapy

Speaking with a therapist can help you learn skills to cope with negative feelings. You may also benefit from family or group therapy sessions.

Light therapy

Exposure to doses of white light can help regulate your mood and improve symptoms of depression. Light therapy is commonly used in seasonal affective disorder, which is now called major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern.

Alternative therapies

Ask your healthcare provider about acupuncture or meditation. Some herbal supplements are also used to treat depression, like St. John’s wort, SAMe, and fish oil.
Talk with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement or combining a supplement with prescription medication because some supplements can react with certain medications. Some supplements may also worsen depression or reduce the effectiveness of medication.

Exercise

Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity 3 to 5 days a week. Exercise can increase your body’s production of endorphins, which are hormones that improve your mood.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

Drinking or misusing drugs may make you feel better for a little bit. But in the long run, these substances can make depression and anxiety symptoms worse.

Learn how to say no

Feeling overwhelmed can worsen anxiety and depression symptoms. Setting boundaries in your professional and personal life can help you feel better.

Take care of yourself



You can also improve symptoms of depression by taking care of yourself. This includes getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, avoiding negative people, and participating in enjoyable activities.
Sometimes depression doesn’t respond to medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend other treatment options if your symptoms don’t improve.
These include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression and improve your mood.



Traditional depression treatment uses a combination of prescription medication and counseling. But there are also alternative or complementary treatments you can try.
It’s important to remember that many of these natural treatments have few studies showing their effects on depression, good or bad.
Likewise, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve many of the dietary supplements on the market in the United States, so you want to make sure you’re buying products from a trustworthy brand.
Talk to your healthcare provider before adding supplements to your treatment plan.

Supplements

Several types of supplements are thought to have some positive effect on depression symptoms.

St. John’s wort

Studies are mixed, but this natural treatment is used in Europe as an antidepressant medication. In the United States, it hasn’t received the same approval.

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)

This compound has shown in limited studies to possibly ease symptoms of depression. The effects were best seen in people taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of traditional antidepressant.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

5-HTP may raise serotonin levels in the brain, which could ease symptoms. Your body makes this chemical when you consume tryptophan, a protein building block.

Omega-3 fatty acids

These essential fats are important to neurological development and brain health. Adding omega-3 supplements to your diet may help reduce depression symptoms.

Essential oils



Essential oils are a popular natural remedy for many conditions, but research into their effects on depression is limited.
People with depression may find symptom relief with the following essential oils:
  • Wild ginger: Inhaling this strong scent may activate serotonin receptors in your brain. This may slow the release of stress-inducing hormones.
  • Bergamot: This citrusy essential oil has been shown to reduce anxiety in patients awaiting surgery. The same benefit may help individuals who experience anxiety as a result of depression, but there’s no research to support that claim.
Other oils, such as chamomile or rose oil, may have a calming effect when they’re inhaled. Those oils may be beneficial during short-term use.

Vitamins

Vitamins are important to many bodily functions. Research suggests two vitamins are especially useful for easing symptoms of depression:
  • Vitamin B: B-12 and B-6 are vital to brain health. When your vitamin B levels are low, your risk for developing depression may be higher.
  • Vitamin D: Sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because exposure to the sun supplies it to your body, Vitamin D is important for brain, heart, and bone health. People who are depressed are more likely to have low levels of this vitamin.
Many herbs, supplements, and vitamins claim to help ease symptoms of depression, but most haven’t shown themselves to be effective in clinical research.
Depression isn’t generally considered to be preventable. It’s hard to recognize what causes it, which means preventing it is more difficult.
But once you’ve experienced a depressive episode, you may be better prepared to prevent a future episode by learning which lifestyle changes and treatments are helpful.
Techniques that may help include:
  • regular exercise
  • getting plenty of sleep
  • maintaining treatments
  • reducing stress
  • building strong relationships with others
Other techniques and ideas may also help you prevent depression.

Bipolar depression occurs in certain types of bipolar disorder, when the person experiences a depressive episode.
People with bipolar disorder may experience significant mood swings. Episodes in bipolar 2, for instance, typically range from manic episodes of high energy to depressive episodes of low energy.
This depends on the type of bipolar disorder you have. A diagnosis of bipolar 1 only has to have the presence of manic episodes, not depression.
Symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder may include:
  • loss of interest or enjoyment from normal activities
  • feeling sad, worried, anxious, or empty
  • not having energy or struggling to complete tasks
  • difficulty with recall or memory
  • sleeping too much or insomnia
  • weight gain or weight loss as a result of increased or decreased appetite
  • contemplating death or suicide
If bipolar disorder is treated, many will experience fewer and less severe symptoms of depression, if they experience depressive episodes.

Depression and anxiety can occur in a person at the same time. In fact, research has shown that over 70 percentTrusted Source of people with depressive disorders also have symptoms of anxiety.
Though they’re thought to be caused by different things, depression and anxiety can produce several similar symptoms, which can include:
  • irritability
  • difficulty with memory or concentration
  • sleep problems
The two conditions also share some common treatments.
Both anxiety and depression can be treated with:
  • therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy
  • medication
  • alternative therapies, including hypnotherapy
If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of either of these conditions, or both of them, make an appointment to talk with your healthcare provider. You can work with them to identify coexisting symptoms of anxiety and depression and how they can be treated.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes unwanted and repeated thoughts, urges, and fears (obsessions).
These fears cause you to act out repeated behaviors or rituals (compulsions) that you hope will ease the stress caused by the obsessions.
People diagnosed with OCD frequently find themselves in a loop of obsessions and compulsions. If you have these behaviors, you may feel isolated because of them. This can lead to withdrawal from friends and social situations, which can increase your risk for depression.
It’s not uncommon for someone with OCD to also have depression. Having one anxiety disorder can increase your odds for having another. Up to 80 percentTrusted Source of people with OCD also have major depression.
This dual diagnosis is a concern with children, too. Their compulsive behaviors, which may be first developing at a young age, can make them feel unusual. That can lead to withdrawing from friends and can increase the chance of child developing depression.

Some individuals who have been diagnosed with major depression may also have symptoms of another mental disorder called psychosis. When the two conditions occur together, it’s known as depressive psychosis.
Depressive psychosis causes people to see, hear, believe, or smell things that aren’t real. People with the condition may also experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability.
The combination of the two conditions is particularly dangerous. That’s because someone with depressive psychosis may experience delusions that cause them to have thoughts of suicide or to take unusual risks.
It’s unclear what causes these two conditions or why they can occur together, but treatment can successfully ease symptoms. Treatments include medications and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Understanding the risk factors and possible causes can help you be aware of early symptoms.

Pregnancy is often an exciting time for people. However, it can still be common for a pregnant woman to experience depression.
Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:
  • changes in appetite or eating habits
  • feeling hopeless
  • anxiety
  • losing interest in activities and things you previously enjoyed
  • persistent sadness
  • troubles concentrating or remembering
  • sleep problems, including insomnia or sleeping too much
  • thoughts of death or suicide
Treatment for depression during pregnancy may focus entirely on talk therapy and other natural treatments.
While some women do take antidepressants during their pregnancy, it’s not clear which ones are the safest. Your healthcare provider may encourage you to try an alternative option until after the birth of your baby.
The risks for depression can continue after the baby arrives. Postpartum depression, which is also called major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, is a serious concern for new mothers.

Research has established a link between alcohol use and depression. People who have depression are more likely to misuse alcohol.
Out of the 20.2 million U.S. adults who experienced a substance use disorder, about 40 percent had a cooccurring mental illness.
According to a 2012 study, 63.8 percentTrusted Source of people who are alcohol dependent have depression.
Drinking alcohol frequently can make symptoms of depression worse, and people who have depression are more likely to misuse alcohol or become dependent on it.

Depression can be temporary, or it can be a long-term challenge. Treatment doesn’t always make your depression go away completely.
However, treatment often makes symptoms more manageable. Managing symptoms of depression involves finding the right combination of medications and therapies.
If one treatment doesn’t work, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you create a different treatment plan that may work better in helping you manage your condition.
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression

What Is Depression? | Hazard Factors for Depression

What Is Depression? | Hazard Factors for Depression
What Is Depression? | Hazard Factors for Depression 


Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.



Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:


  • Feeling pitiful or having a discouraged state of mind 
  • Loss of intrigue or delight in exercises once appreciated 
  • Changes in hunger — weight reduction or increase disconnected to abstaining from excessive food intake 
  • Inconvenience dozing or resting excessively Loss of vitality or expanded exhaustion 
  • Increment in purposeless physical action (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or eased back developments and discourse (activities noticeable by others) 
  • Feeling useless or regretful 
  • Trouble thinking, focusing or deciding 
  • Considerations of death or suicide 


Side effects should last in any event fourteen days for an analysis of misery.

Additionally, ailments (e.g., thyroid issues, a mind tumor or nutrient insufficiency) can impersonate side effects of sadness so it is essential to preclude general clinical causes.

Sadness influences an expected one out of 15 grown-ups (6.7%) at whatever year. What's more, one of every six individuals (16.6%) will encounter melancholy sooner or later in their life. Wretchedness can strike whenever, yet all things considered, first shows up during the late adolescents to mid-20s. Ladies are almost certain than men to encounter discouragement. A few examinations show that 33% of ladies will encounter a significant burdensome scene in the course of their life.



Discouragement Is Different From Sadness or Grief/Bereavement 


The demise of a friend or family member, loss of an occupation or the cutting off of an association are troublesome encounters for an individual to persevere. It is typical for sentiments of trouble or pain to create because of such circumstances. Those encountering misfortune frequently may depict themselves as being "discouraged."

Be that as it may, being tragic isn't equivalent to having wretchedness. The lamenting procedure is regular and novel to every person and offers a portion of similar highlights of gloom. Both misery and discouragement may include extreme trouble and withdrawal from normal exercises. They are likewise unique in significant manners:

In misery, excruciating emotions come in waves, frequently intermixed with positive recollections of the perished. In significant melancholy, state of mind as well as intrigue (delight) are diminished for a large portion of about fourteen days.

In pain, confidence is normally kept up. In significant discouragement, sentiments of uselessness and self-hatred are normal.

For certain individuals, the demise of a friend or family member can welcome on significant wretchedness. Losing an employment or being a casualty of a physical ambush or a significant fiasco can prompt sorrow for certain individuals. At the point when sorrow and misery exist together, the pain is more extreme and keeps going longer than despondency without discouragement. Notwithstanding some cover among despondency and melancholy, they are extraordinary. Recognizing them can assist individuals with getting the assistance, backing or treatment they need.


Hazard Factors for Depression 


Sadness can influence anybody—even an individual who seems to live in moderately perfect conditions.

A few variables can assume a job in despondency:


  • Natural chemistry: Differences in specific synthetic substances in the mind may add to manifestations of despondency. 



  • Hereditary qualities: Depression can run in families. For instance, on the off chance that one indistinguishable twin has sadness, different has a 70 percent possibility of having the ailment at some point throughout everyday life. 



  • Character: People with low confidence, who are effortlessly overpowered by pressure, or who are commonly negative have all the earmarks of being bound to encounter wretchedness. 



  • Natural variables: Continuous presentation to brutality, disregard, misuse or neediness may make a few people progressively powerless against sadness. 


How Is Depression Treated? 


Wretchedness is among the most treatable of mental issue. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of individuals with gloom in the long run react well to treatment. Practically all patients increase some help from their indications.

Prior to a determination or treatment, a wellbeing expert should direct an exhaustive symptomatic assessment, including a meeting and perhaps a physical assessment. Now and again, a blood test may be done to ensure the downturn isn't because of an ailment like a thyroid issue. The assessment is to distinguish explicit manifestations, clinical and family ancestry, social variables and ecological components to show up at a finding and plan a strategy.

Prescription: Brain science may add to a person's downturn and may factor into their treatment. Thus, antidepressants may be recommended to help change one's cerebrum science. These meds are not narcotics, "uppers" or sedatives. They are not propensity framing. By and large upper drugs have no invigorating impact on individuals not encountering discouragement.

Antidepressants may create some improvement inside the primary week or two of utilization. Full advantages may not be seen for a few months. On the off chance that a patient feels next to zero improvement following half a month, their therapist can change the portion of the prescription or include or substitute another upper. In certain circumstances other psychotropic meds might be useful. It is imperative to inform your PCP as to whether a prescription doesn't work or on the off chance that you experience symptoms.

Therapists as a rule prescribe that patients keep on taking medicine for at least a half year after side effects have improved. Longer-term support treatment might be recommended to diminish the danger of future scenes for specific individuals at high hazard.

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or "talk treatment," is in some cases utilized alone for treatment of mellow misery; for moderate to serious gloom, psychotherapy is regularly utilized in alongside energizer drugs. Intellectual social treatment (CBT) has been seen as viable in treating discouragement. CBT is a type of treatment concentrated on the present and critical thinking. CBT encourages an individual to perceive twisted reasoning and afterward change practices and thinking.

Psychotherapy may include just the individual, yet it can incorporate others. For instance, family or couples treatment can help address issues inside these cozy connections. Gathering treatment includes individuals with comparative diseases.

Contingent upon the seriousness of the downturn, treatment can take half a month or any longer. By and large, critical improvement can be made in 10 to 15 meetings.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a clinical treatment most normally utilized for patients with serious significant sorrow or bipolar issue who have not reacted to different medicines. It includes a short electrical incitement of the cerebrum while the patient is under sedation. A patient normally gets ECT a few times each week for a sum of six to 12 medications. ECT has been utilized since the 1940s, and numerous long periods of research have prompted significant upgrades. It is typically overseen by a group of prepared clinical experts including a therapist, an anesthesiologist and a medical caretaker or doctor right hand.


Self improvement and Coping 


There are various things individuals can do to help lessen the side effects of melancholy. For some individuals, ordinary exercise makes positive inclination and improve state of mind. Getting enough quality rest all the time, eating a sound eating regimen and keeping away from liquor (a depressant) can likewise help diminish side effects of melancholy.

Despondency is a genuine disease and help is accessible. With legitimate finding and treatment, by far most of individuals with discouragement will beat it. On the off chance that you are encountering side effects of despondency, an initial step is to see your family doctor or therapist. Discussion about your interests and solicitation a careful assessment. This is a beginning to tending to emotional wellness needs.

Should Children Be Allowed To Use Phone?


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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? | 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".

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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

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