How Can You Determine If An Illness Is Causing Depression Or Depression Is Causing An Illness
Illnesses that can lead to depression are usually major, chronic, and/or terminal. When an illness is causing depression, there is often long-term pain or physical disability present or there is a sudden change in lifestyle.
Depression causes illness in a different way. Like psychological stress, it can weaken the immune system , allowing a person to get more colds or the flu. There is often a notable presence of aches and pains with no particular cause. Having depression may also cause the symptoms of another medical illness to last longer and intensify its symptoms, but the true relationship of depression-induced illness, in terms of major disease, has not been thoroughly defined.
It is important to seek the advice of your doctor if you think you or someone you know may have depression. Your primary care doctor is a good place to start. They can screen you for depression and develop a treatment plan to help manage your symptoms.
Ways To Respond To Someone Who Is Depressed
One good thing that came out of Robin Williams death is that we are once again talking about depression. Depression can be a silent killer and still has a stigma despite the numbers of people who struggle with it in any give year. We dont like to talk about it, mostly because we dont know what to say or worry we might say the wrong thing.
So we avoid or stay silent. Worse, we offer platitudes that make the depressed person feel even worse.
No one likes to hear, Snap out of it, Think of all the good things in your life, or the classic, Time heals all wounds. Those phrases accentuate powerlessness, guilt and hopelessness because at the moment, none of it feels true.
So how do you respond when someone tells you he/she isnt having a good day or is depressed?
Dont:
1. Try to talk the person out of being depressed. This is like trying to talk someone out of having high blood pressure.
2. Minimize their pain.
3. Tell them you know just how they feel. You really dont.
1. Comfort with a statement of empathy, It must be difficult, or I see you are really struggling.
2. Encourage the person to get through the moment, not the entire day.
3. Listen a lot. Be in the moment with the person.
4. Stay connected with the person via text or short messages. A brief, Praying for you is good.
5. Offer help if the person seems receptivedepression is treatable.
6. Be available when the person is ready to talk. Isolation plays on the mind in negative ways.
What If I Dont Know What To Say
Dont wait to talk just because youre not sure what to say. You can keep it simple. You can start just by saying, Got a minute? I need to talk. Then say whats on your mind. For example, Ive been feeling down a lot lately. I think I should talk to you about it. The person youre talking to might ask you to tell them more. Sometimes, thats all it takes to get started talking.
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How And When To Talk
No single method of communication works for everyone. A person can consider how they usually speak with the individual with depression which method offers the most intimacy and fosters the deepest dialogue?
In a 2017 poll, 86% of respondents said that face-to-face discussions of depression are the best option. However, some people may feel more comfortable texting.
There are some instances where it is not helpful or advisable to talk about mental health issues. Some tips include:
- Do not bring up depression during a fight or a time of high stress.
- Do not use depression as a shaming tactic.
- Wait for a time when the person is reasonably calm.
- Do not talk with someone when they are distracted or tired.
- Avoid blindsiding the individual, such as by bringing depression up for the first time in a fight.
Encourage Them To Seek Help
While there are several different treatments for those with depression that can be very helpful, depression treatment can never begin if a person doesnt seek help. If you have a friend or family member living with depression, encourage them to seek treatment and do what you can to help them take the first step. Without professional intervention, they will be less likely to recover from their depression.
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How To Help Yourself While Helping Your Friend
If youre feeling overwhelmed by the stress of supporting a friend who doesnt want help, its okay to reach out for support yourself.
- Read tips on how to take care of yourself when taking care of a friend, and how to help a friend reach out for support.
- Reach out to your own support system. Talk to another friend or family member.
- Text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor. These counselors can support you and offer advice on how to help your friend.
- Your safety is critical. If your friend reacts angrily or violently, its important to tell someone you trust and seek outside support. If you have reason to believe that a friend is in immediate danger of harming themselves or someone else, call 9-1-1 or emergency services immediately.
Questions Doctors Ask When Screening For Depression
Mental health professionals rely on a number of screening tools to accurately diagnose depression. Heres a peek at the questions they ask so you can assess your own risk.
Not everyone experiences the same warning signs of depression. Some people may endure sadness, hopelessness, feelings of guilt others may lose interest in their favorite activities, have trouble thinking clearly, or face fatigue and changes in their sleeping or eating patterns. Thats why diagnosing depression isnt always easy and why doctors have developed a number of screening tools to help determine if you are at risk.
Diagnosing depression requires a complete history and physical exam, says Richard Shadick, PhD, associate adjunct professor of psychology and director of the counseling center at Pace University in New York City. Doctors must also rule out medical problems such as thyroid disease and consider coexisting emotional health issues issues like anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress, and substance abuse.
What goes into a depression screening? There are many types of depression scales and depression screens, explains Shadick. The questions asked look for common symptoms as well as how much these symptoms might be affecting a persons ability to function and maintain relationships.
Which Depression Screening Will Your Doctor Use?
The Type of Questions Your Doctor Will Ask
Here are some typical questions from a few of the more common depression screening scales:
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Its All In Your Head You Need To Think Positive
Optimism and having a hopeful outlook can certainly be important, but its important to remember that positive thinking doesnt always work especially when forcing it.
For example, a 2010 study demonstrated that making declarative statements isnt actually that effective for getting motivated. Rather, interrogative self-talk may be better.
In the study, participants were asked to solve a puzzle. The participants who asked themselves Will I? solved nearly twice as many as those who declared I will
Telling a loved one to just be positive is the same as snap out of it. Youre implying that what theyre feeling isnt real or a big deal, or that they can control their depression.
Depression is a health condition like any other. We wouldnt dream of telling someone with diabetes, for example, that its all in their head.
Get Professional Help For Depression
At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we know how difficult it can be to navigate life with a mental illness like depression. Thats why were the only private, full-service facility in the Sacramento area to offer outpatient services, including managing medications and therapy. We offer services like ketamine treatments and transcranial magnetic stimulation, all to provide compassionate and comprehensive care.
Get in touch to schedule an appointment with us at any of our four locations in Folsom, Sacramento, Roseville and Elk Grove.
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Life Events And Depression
Research suggests that continuing difficulties, such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness or prolonged exposure to stress at work can increase the risk of depression.
Significant adverse life events, such as losing a job, going through a separation or divorce, or being diagnosed with a serious illness, may also trigger depression, particularly among people who are already at risk because of genetic, developmental or other personal factors.
Remember That You Wont Be The Fixer
Its important to speak with your loved one about your concerns, but its also important to realize that you arent going to be the person who ends up curing their depression. Only the person who is depressed can ultimately choose to seek help, especially if they are an adult.
While your words can encourage the person to seek help, be prepared for the possibility of resistance.
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Ask The Expert: Common Questions About Depression
Jed Magen, associate professor and chair in the Department of Psychiatry, answers common questions about depression.
1. How common is depression?
About 4% of the population has what we call major depressive disorder, the most severe kind of depression, at any one time. Less severe depressions are probably more common. It is important to note that everyone gets a low mood at times, but most pull out of this within a couple of days.
2. What are the major symptoms of depression?
Common symptoms of more severe depressions include depressed mood , appetite changes either increased or decreased, sleep changes either more sleep such as taking naps after sleeping all night, or decreased sleep. Decreased motivation to do things and decreased enjoyment of things that usually are enjoyable is also very common.
Anxiety and depression seem to go together so many people notice an increase in worries and feeling like they cant stop thinking about things that are problems. Others might notice that the depressed individual is very negative about almost everything, even things that most people would see as positives.
Of course, we worry a lot about suicidal ideation. If someone has suicidal thoughts, it is vitally important that they tell someone they trust, call a suicide hotline or their physician and get assistance. Depressions will always go away with treatment eventually and it is tragic when someone ends their life when treatment may have been lifesaving.
Therapy Activities For Adults With Depression
Science has proven the healing benefits of some activities, especially those that allow the mind to relax. Some of the best therapeutic things to do for depression include the following.
- Yoga: Since this ancient practice is a spiritual one at its core, the benefits of yoga go beyond physical. When you include yoga and all its mindfulness practices with your treatment for depression, like antidepressants and therapy, you will likely see an overall improvement in your physical and mental health.
- Meditation: Like yoga, meditation is an excellent way for you to learn how to relax your mind and efficiently refocus it.
- Coloring: Adult coloring books may seem like a fad, but they have legitimate value in treating depression. Allowing you to be creative, focused and occupied, adult coloring books soothe and bring peace of mind.
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Follow Gratitude In Life
Of course, the present life stage is not something that youre wishing for. Agree, you have different perspectives and desires from life than this. But still, many things are enough to make you feel blessed in life.
Think about those positive sides of life, feel grateful for things that youve and have achieved so far. When you feel positive about your life, you start to feel confident eventually. Practicing gratitude in life is the better way to come out of such feeling depressed time in life.
Also read: 10 Ways You Can Practice Gratitude Every Day
Ways To Help Yourself Through Depression
If you are going through depression, it’s best to get help from a therapist. To get the most from your therapy, you can do things to help yourself too.
Here are 5 things you can do to feel better. They may seem simple, but they can help a lot.
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They Tend To Search For Purpose
We all need a purpose in this life. We want to be sure that we are in some form doing meaningful things. People suffering from hidden depression are not exempt from this. They too want to know the reason for their existence. They are much more susceptible to feeling things like inadequacy and anxiety which leaves them searching for something they can never seem to achieve in their own minds.
But Dont Become A Psychologist
and start diagnosing them or trying to give advice beyond your knowledge that is best left to the professionals. Just listen to them, believe everything they tell you and let them know youll love and support them every step of the way.
Dont force treatment on them, but remember to seek further help immediately if theyre feeling suicidal or showing no willingness to get better if you feel there is a risk of immediate danger tell a trusted adult or call 999.
You can always contact Ditch the Label or other charities like Samaritans or Mind if you feel you need guidance on this matter. Supporting someone with depression can be stressful and frustrating so be careful not to neglect your own needs too.
Taking time to look after yourself is really important talk to others about how youre feeling or consider joining a local support group with people who are also in a similar situation to you.
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Tips To Help Someone Who Has Depression
There are a few ways you can help someone who has depression:
- Let them know you care and are there to listen.
- Accept them as they are, without judging them.
- Help them to stay active, eat good food and get a good night’s sleep.
- Find support groups and psychological therapy services that may be available.
- Stay in touch with them by messaging, texting, phoning or meeting for coffee – people who are depressed can become isolated and may find it difficult to leave their home.
- Try to be patient.
Are There Warning Signs Of Suicide With Depression
Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Suicidal thoughts or intentions are serious. Warning signs include:
- A sudden switch from sadness to extreme calmness, or appearing to be happy
- Always talking or thinking about death
- Clinical depression that gets worse
- Taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving through red lights
- Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- Putting affairs in order, like tying up loose ends or changing a will
- Saying things like “It would be better if I weren’t here” or “I want out”
- Talking about suicide
- Visiting or calling close friends and loved ones
If you or someone you know shows any of the above warning signs, call your local suicide hotline, contact a mental health professional right away, or go to the emergency room.
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The Risk Of Suicide Is Real
What to do in a crisis situation
If you believe your loved one is at an immediate risk for suicide, do NOT leave them alone.
In the U.S., dial 911 or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
In other countries, call your countrys emergency services number or visit IASP to find a suicide prevention helpline.
It may be hard to believe that the person you know and love would ever consider something as drastic as suicide, but a depressed person may not see any other way out. Depression clouds judgment and distorts thinking, causing a normally rational person to believe that death is the only way to end the pain theyre feeling.
Since suicide is a very real danger when someone is depressed, its important to know the warning signs:
- Talking about suicide, dying, or harming oneself a preoccupation with death
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or self-hate
- Acting in dangerous or self-destructive ways
- Getting affairs in order and saying goodbye
- Seeking out pills, weapons, or other lethal objects
- A sudden sense of calm after depression
If you think a friend or family member might be considering suicide, dont wait, talk to them about your concerns. Many people feel uncomfortable bringing up the topic but it is one of the best things you can do for someone who is thinking about suicide. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a persons life, so speak up if youre concerned and seek professional help immediately!