Saturday, March 23, 2024

Can Depression Happen Without A Reason

Changes After Giving Birth

How To Cope With Depression

After having a baby, it’s common for new moms to experience feelings of sadness and anxiety this emotional response is often referred to as the baby blues. But in more serious cases, these feelings last longer than a few days and may be a form of depression called postpartum depression.

Studies estimate that postpartum depression affects 10%â15% of new mothers, but Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, a psychologist and lactation consultant who specializes in postpartum depression, previously told Health it may actually be as high as 25%.

Does Depression Change Your Personality

Research has turned up mixed results about whether or not depression can actually change a persons personality.

However, according to of 10 studies, depressive symptoms may be associated with changes in several specific aspects of personality including extraversion, neuroticism, and agreeableness which could be temporary or persistent.

Feeling Sad For No Reason How To Tell If Its Normal Or A Sign Of Depression

Modern-day Western culture loves positive thinking. Were encouraged to smile, look on the bright side, think happy thoughts, to the point where sadness has been marginalised as an almost problematic emotion or a red flag for mental health. However, sadness is a normal, valid, healthy emotion that you should not be afraid to express. It may not be comfortable, and no one particularly enjoys feeling sad, but sadness has a crucial role in our lives and is a healthy emotional response to unpleasant situations: failing to achieve an important goal, losing a loved one, getting sick, or witnessing a distressing situation. Sometimes, even the weather can make us feel down , or you may have an undiagnosed medical condition that affects your mood, such as a food allergy.

Its impossible for all our experiences to be pleasant. From time to time, life throws unexpected challenges at us, and sadness is a valid response to some of them. Sadness can teach you to be more empathetic, connect with others, and understand how you want to be treated. If you allow yourself to feel sad and vulnerable, you wont get stuck feeling that way forever. On the contrary, bottling up those feelings will do more harm than good. So, if your day didnt go as planned or youre going through something, you shouldnt feel guilty about being sad or disappointed. Its all a part of life.

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Socialize With Friends And Family

Even if you are experiencing mild depression or a funk, you might find yourself drawing away from others, avoiding social situations, or not wanting to burden people with your feelings. One of the hardest but most helpful things you can do to see yourself through depression is to find that strong support circle and spend time with the people you love.

Schedule times to visit with family and friends or plan to grab lunch with a coworker so you have a specific time and place where you can lean on others when youre feeling blue. You might also find that some of these people have experienced depression themselves and they might be able to relate with you on the subject and share ideas of what has helped them in the past or just lend an open ear.

Talk To A Friend Or Family Member

HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Talking to a loved one or a family member can help you sort out your emotions. Even if they dont give advice, its just nice to talk to someone if you feel sad.

Sometimes, if you feel depressed, its nice just to verbalize what you feel. Your friends and family can offer you support when you need it. Its the best feeling in the world knowing that youre not alone and can talk to someone if youre feeling down.

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What Are The Different Types Of Depression

Two common forms of depression are:

  • Major depression, which includes symptoms of depression most of the time for at least 2 weeks that typically interfere with ones ability to work, sleep, study, and eat.
  • Persistent depressive disorder , which often includes less severe symptoms of depression that last much longer, typically for at least 2 years.

Other forms of depression include:

  • Perinatal depression, which occurs when a woman experiences major depression during pregnancy or after delivery .
  • Seasonal affective disorder, which comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in late fall and early winter and going away during spring and summer.
  • Depression with symptoms of psychosis, which is a severe form of depression where a person experiences psychosis symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations .

Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder also experience depression.

What Are The Symptoms Of Depression

Depression can affect your emotions, mind and body. Depression symptoms include:

  • Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried.
  • Not enjoying things that used to give you joy.
  • Being easily irritated or frustrated.
  • Eating too much or too little.
  • Changes in how much you sleep.
  • Having a difficult time concentrating or remembering things.
  • Experiencing physical problems like headache, stomachache or sexual dysfunction.
  • Thinking about hurting or killing yourself.

If you or someone you know has thoughts of hurting themselves, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. This national network of local crisis centers provides free, private emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Thoughts Of Death Or Suicide

A person with depression may think more about death and dying. They may also think about suicide and how they could end their life. The term for this is suicidal ideation .

Sometimes, a person may tell others about these thoughts. If someone is talking about death or suicide, this could be their way of asking for help, and it is vital to seek assistance right away.

Depression is a common but serious condition that can be life threatening. Not every person who thinks about suicide will attempt it. However, if someone mentions suicide, it is important either to contact a doctor or to help the person seek urgent medical care.

Nick Hayes Phd Lmfta Lcdc

10 Things Depression Makes Us Do

CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER

Dr. Nick Hayes is the Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, overseeing all research, technology and quality related initiatives for the organization. His research focuses on measurement-based practice systems, digital phenotyping and intensive longitudinal monitoring.

Nicks work highlights Cumberland Heights commitment to outcome-oriented care, using proven techniques to put those struggling with substance use disorder on a path to success.

Nick received his PhD in Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. He is also on the faculty of Lipscomb University as an adjunct professor of psychology.

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Spend Some Time In The Sun

Have you tried going outside? can sound like something a well-meaning loved one with no real knowledge of mood disorders might say. Yet while sunlight wont completely cure feelings of sadness or depression, regular sun exposure can make a difference for both physical and mental well-being.

Experts believe sunlight prompts your brain to . When you have lower levels of this hormone in your system, youre more likely to feel depressed, especially as fall and winter roll around. Spending more time in the sun, then, can increase serotonin and potentially relieve sadness.

Exercise can also offer some mood-boosting benefits , so if you feel up to it, combine your sun exposure with a walk around your neighborhood or in your favorite park.

Cant get outside easily? Little sun to speak of? Light therapy with a SAD lamp can help you get some artificial sun that still offers very real benefits.

Coping strategies wont always help relieve sadness. If nothing seems to help you find relief, it may be time to talk to a therapist or other healthcare professional.

Professional support is always recommended when symptoms:

  • go away and come back regularly or continue to get worse
  • begin to affect daily life and relationships
  • keep you from taking care of responsibilities
  • show up in physical ways appetite or sleep changes, unexplained aches and pains

What Are The Main Symptoms Of Depression

Some symptoms of depression could include:

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in your activities
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Trouble getting to sleep or feeling sleepy during the day
  • Feelings restless and agitated, or else very sluggish and slowed down physically or mentally
  • Being tired and without energy
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Trouble concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of suicide

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Why Treatment Is Important

While many medications, such as antibiotics, cure the illnesses they are designed to treat, antidepressants do not cure depression. Their effect is only temporary. This is because antidepressants work by changing the brain’s chemistry, but only for as long as the person is taking them. They do not address the underlying causes of depression.

The National Institute of Mental Health shares that depression has a number of potential, and oftentimes complex, causes. Some may be genetic or biological and others may be environmental or psychological.

No matter the cause, untreated depression can be extremely debilitating to an individual, interfering with every part of life. In addition, severe depression can potentially lead to suicide if it does not receive immediate attention.

Depression has also been linked to a variety of physical health issues, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic disorders. In the case of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, depression may accelerate the progression of the disease.

Having depression can even make it more difficult to treat other medical illnesses because the lack of motivation and energy associated with depression makes it more difficult for patients to comply with their treatment regimens.

Some Common Causes Of Depression

7 Proven Facts About Depression

Some factors that contribute to depression include:

  • Brain chemistry: The “chemistry” of depression is not well understood, but researchers do know that an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters can happen in anyone, even in the absence of an obvious “trigger.
  • Non-modifiable risk factors: Some influences, such as brain structure, genetic predisposition, and environmental exposures, are not something a person can control.
  • Modifiable risk factors: Risk factors that fall under the category of lifestyle choices are considered modifiable, but the extent to which an individual can do so will depend on their own ability and how much support they have.

Depression can make it much more challenging to address factors that might be contributing to depression, such as substance use or diet. As much as it is a mental illness, depression can also be physical. Symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue can make it difficult for people to take on lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, even if they want to and believe they could help.

To make these changes people need to have the right tools and a good deal of support. To get treatment, a person with depression needs to feel safe talking about how they are feeling.

A person who believes they are depressed for no reason may not feel they deserve to ask for or get help. Thats why its important to focus less on the reason for depression and instead think about the causes.

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Other Reasons People Hide What They Are Feeling

Parents who are experiencing depression may worry about how their children or family could be affected. They may even fear that they will be seen as unfit parents if they admit to having feelings of depression.

The pressure to justify depression can be overwhelming, but remember the old saying that you cant judge a book by its cover. The way someone elses life appears to be may not show the whole truth.

People who are depressed may work very hard to try to hide how they really feel. On the outside, they may look and even act as though they feel OK and that everything is fine.

Whether youre experiencing depression yourself or you care about someone who is, it can be helpful to reframe how you think about the condition. Start by focusing on the causes of depression rather than focusing on reasons .

Why Do I Feel Sad For No Reason

Edited by: Laura Burgess

We all have days where we feel down and sometimes feeling sad can happen for no apparent reason. Occasionally, sadness is natural but other times it isnt and perhaps it is a symptom of depression. The good news is that there are plenty of useful tools available for people living with unexplained sadness. One of our psychologists Dr Jessica Valentine explains the possible reasons behind feeling sad and what you can do to make yourself feel better.

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Can Depression Be Prevented

You can help prevent depression by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.

If youve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help. Care can help you feel better sooner.

How To Manage Your Depression

Why Anxiety and Depression Are Connected: Avoidance and Willingness With Painful Emotions

Proper management of depression requires support from a trained mental health professional, cooperation from friends and family members, the right medications and motivation.

Extreme symptoms such as suicidal ideation, hallucinogenic episodes and severe depression may require electroconvulsive therapy and hospitalization.

Here are a few tips to manage your depression.

  • Try to be physically active and exercise daily. Exercise has been known to combat episodes of depression.
  • Dont be too hard on yourself. Set realistic goals for your career, family life and body.
  • Spend quality time with your friends, family and confide in a trusted friend or relative with your problems.
  • Join a support group for mental health disorders.
  • Engage yourself in hobbies such as gardening, hiking and reading to keep negative thoughts at bay.
  • Keep a gratitude journal to note down the things you should be grateful for.
  • Postpone important decisions such as getting married or divorced or changing jobs until you feel better.
  • Continue to educate yourself about depression.
  • Eat healthy. Foods such as bananas, milk, almonds and dark chocolate have mood-elevating properties.

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Why Are Rates Of Depression Rising

Depression rates are rising especially among the young. While the lifetime risk of depression is approximately 20 percent, for the general population the highest rates currently occur among young adults, those between the ages of 18 and 29, while individuals over 65 have the lowest rates.

Experts cite several reasons why the young are especially susceptible. They range from social factors, such as decreasing availability of meaningful work, to individual factors, such as lack of coping skills due to overprotective parenting. Cultural factors figure in, too. An increased concern with safety and decreased tolerance for risk has curtailed the opportunities children have for free play, in which children experience joy, gain friends and learn social skills, and discover how to exercise control over their own life.

Can Stress Bring On Depression

Studies show that one factor consistently associated with depression is the number and degree of major stresses experienced in life. Poverty, for example, is a significant, enduring stressor, not easily modifiable, highly linked to depression risk. But to a degree still under study, attitude plays a major role in the perception of stress.

Some stress is necessary to keep people alert. It isnt just that situations differ in the degree to which they stress human systems much depends on how people regard some situationssay, taking final exams. People who see stress as a challenge rather than as a plague recruit positive rather than negative emotions. Whats more, they do not experience the harmful effects of stress hormones on body and brain.

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Are There Online Services People Can Use From Home

There are so many great self-help resources online. Make sure that any advice you read online is from a well-known organisation such as the NHS or WebMD. You can also book online with me to discuss more of what is discussed.There are many psychologists who work from their home offices and can help support you if you are travelling, at work or would like support from the comfort of your own home. You can simply request an online video call with me by accessing the e-Consultation button next to my photo on my profile.

If you would like to work with Dr Valentine, you can book the first appointment either to see her in the clinic or via an online video call, here.

Who Is At Risk For Depression

Six Reasons for Unexplainable Depression

Depression can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender or circumstances. About 16 million Americans experience depression each year.

Women may experience depression more often than men. And your genetics or other health conditions can increase the likelihood that youll have at least one depressive episode in your lifetime.

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Difficulty Concentrating Remembering And Making Decisions

Depression can interfere with a persons cognitive abilities. They may have trouble focusing or concentrating on personal or professional matters. Additionally, they may find it difficult to make decisions, even those involving seemingly minor, everyday choices.

People with depression may also find that they cannot remember things as well as they did previously. They might forget appointments or commitments and not recall things that they said or did recently.

Onset Of Depression More Complex Than A Brain Chemical Imbalance

It’s often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that figure of speech doesn’t capture how complex the disease is. Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events. It’s believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression.

To be sure, chemicals are involved in this process, but it is not a simple matter of one chemical being too low and another too high. Rather, many chemicals are involved, working both inside and outside nerve cells. There are millions, even billions, of chemical reactions that make up the dynamic system that is responsible for your mood, perceptions, and how you experience life.

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