Depression
is a serious disorder and should never be ignored. You need to know the early
warning signs and the symptoms that accompany this illness.
Some of the major signs of depression
are: prolonged sadness and lethargy; hopelessness and pessimism; feelings of
guilt, worthlessness and helplessness; loss of interest in enjoyed activities;
fatigue, tiredness, listlessness; loss of appetite and not sleeping enough;
trouble with concentration, making decisions, bad memory; lack of interest
causes inattentiveness; difficulty concentrating on anything; incapable of
deciding on or about anything; and problems remembering that happened or what
others said.
The most telltale sign of depression
is the loss of interest in things that are normally enjoyed. This lack of
interest causes inattention, difficulty concentrating, difficulty in making
any decisions about anything, and difficulty remember what happened or what
others said.
Not getting enough sleep, or sleeping too much, is also a
telltale sign of depression.
The lack of sleep results in lack of physical energy and could lead to
physical illness.
If you have feelings of sadness or hopelessness then here's a
list of what you should do to try to alleviate these feelings and get back to
your happy self.
Make sure you get enough sunshine, or
light. The body creates the hormone melatonin, which causes feelings of
lethargy and unhappiness, because it's not getting enough light. Melatonin is
secreted by your body in the dark. So if your not getting enough sunlight,
your body is producing too much melatonin, and you begin to feel sluggish.
Stay busy. Do the things you enjoy. If you stay busy you won't
notice those feelings of depression.
Setting a goal, striving towards it with determination and perseverance, will
keep your mind occupied.
Take the time to have a little fun. A hot bath; soothing
music; a massage; relax. Relaxing and taking a break from the daily stresses
in your life is important to your overall wellbeing and will make you feel
better.
Make sure you eat healthy foods. Lots of fruits of and
vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish should be part of your daily diet. Watch
the amount of sugar and caffeine and alcohol you use. These are only short
term 'solutions' to feelings of depression
and once the the effects wear off you'll feel even worse than before.
Exercise is the number one factor in preventing depression.
When you exercise your body produces more endorphins. These endorphins are the
chemicals that reduce stress and create happiness. All you have to do is go
for a walk, ride a bike, play a sport that you enjoy, even dancing. You don't
have to go to the gym if you don 't want to!
One more important factor is a social life. Being with friends
will make you feel better and your friends will give you moral support
whenever you need it. Hugging, a pat on the back, always makes you feel
better. The simple power of touch. Not only will a loving and caring
relationship with your family and friends make you feel more secure and happy,
it will also boost your immune system.
Any signs of depression
should always be taken seriously. If you suspect you or a loved one may be
depressed, don't put off helping them till tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come.
Serious depression can lead to suicide. If you are feeling depressed for two
weeks or more seek help. If you don't, it will only get worse. Seek a
therapist and talk out your problems and issues with him. You will be
surprised at how helpful this therapy is and you'll start feeling a lot
better. If you need to take an antidepressant, find a reputable psychiatrist,
talk to him, and take any medications he may prescribe. There is no shame in
this.
You only have one life ... be happy! You deserve it!
