Major depression is a mood state that goes well beyond temporarily feeling sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness that affects one’s thoughts, mood, physical health and feelings. Depression is a life-long condition in which periods of wellness alternate with recurrences of illness. Without treatment, the frequency and severity of these symptoms tend to increase over time.
All age groups and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups can experience depression. Some individuals may have one episode of depression in a lifetime, but people often have recurrent episodes. Once an individual has encountered an episode of depression, he or she will encounter another episode of depression in his or her lifetime. Some may have ongoing symptoms and some may have several episodes in a year.
If these symptoms are untreated, these episodes may last from a few months to many years. Major depression is also known as clinical depression, major depressive illness, major affective disorder and unipolar mood disorder. It involves a combination of the following symptoms: sadness, poor concentration, insomnia, fatigue, excessive guilt, appetite disturbances and thoughts of suicide. If these symptoms are untreated, it may lead to serious impairment in daily functioning and even suicide.
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and represents a global public health challenge. It is treatable in most people no matter how devastating it is. Most of us recognize depression with its heavy veil of helplessness and sadness.Here are some surprising warning signs of depression that you won’t want to miss:
YOU’RE IN PAIN
Depression and pain share some biological pathways. It is believed that people with depression suffer chronic pain. People with depression were likely more prone to and neck and low back pain compared to those who are depressed. When you’re in a negative state, you’re apt to tune in your body more carefully, and therefore feel any discomforts more acutely. At times, you might also notice stomach aches and headaches or just experience greater sensitivity to pain in general. It has been proved people with depression anticipate pain, their brain activity indicates more emotion and less coping, so such people cannot handle the hurt.
YOU’RE BUSTING OUT OF YOUR PANTS
When a person is in a depression he tends to eat more. Either you are inhaling ice-cream late at night or you are have frozen dinners because you don’t feel like shopping or cooking. Over time, emotional eating may lead to weight gain and feelings of guilt and shame, plus it does nothing to treat the underlying cause of depression. Studies have confirmed that high levels of stress and depression make it tough to drop pounds, on the contrary, some people may lose weight, as depression zaps appetite.
YOU HAVE A SHORT FUSE
If you are depressed, then a small mishap sends you into a rage or being grouchy is your new normal. You feel hostile, grumpy, argumentative, foul-tempered and angry when you are in a depression. Once you’re on the negative side of the room, you’re more accessible to the other rooms which are best known for negative hangouts-irritability, frustration, and anger.
YOU FEEL NOTHING
All of us have motivations that get us out of bed in the morning, whether it’s work, exercise, socializing or making breakfast. But for people who are depressed, these pulls daily up. And all the things that once brought tears and smiles now is barely registered. This kind of zombie behaviour is a hallmark of depression and it can make you seem old, distant and aloof, pushing away all the people who really love you and who will give you support.
YOU’RE GLUED TO FACEBOOK
Or gambling or shopping… basically doing anything in excess especially online. Several studies confirm that people who go online compulsively and have more virtual social interactions than the real ones maybe depressed. They may feel deprived of human companionship and/or may use the online world to escape from their thoughts and feelings.
