Depression is an illness that affects the whole body. It changes the way
we eat, sleep, communicate and go about our daily business. Depression
is also an illness that many people have a problem acknowledging. Some
people see it as a lack or willpower, personal weakness or laziness, but
this is simply not the case. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the
brain and one that can be diagnosed, treated and overcome, but first the
patient has to recognize the problem. So how does an individual know if
they suffer from depression?
Behavioral changes
The changes in your behavior will be reflective of the negative emotions
you are experiencing. Feeling uncomfortable in social situations is a
common problem, you may have no desire to interact and therefore spend
more time alone and isolated. There may also be a dramatic change in
your eating habits: either eating much more or much less. A loss of
sexual appetite is also common and related to anxiety in social and
personal situations. Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene may
occur as well as neglect of the cleanliness of your home. Because
depression manifests in a lack of productivity, it is not uncommon for
household duties to suffer as a result.
Changes in thoughts
If you work or are at school, you may find that it is harder to
concentrate and make decisions. Many sufferers of depression report
difficulty processing information and problems with their short-term
memory. Being overly critical of your work and your ability, and having
excessive guilt are also common symptoms. In the extreme, a person may
have self-destructive thoughts
Changes in physicality
Negative emotions have direct influence on the body. A person suffering
from depression may suffer from chronic fatigue, even if they are
sleeping much more than usual. Insomnia is also a common symptom. The
inability to turn off your thoughts results in a person laying awake for
hours, unable to sleep but also unable to do anything about it. Some
sufferers find that they are sleeping much more than usual, sometimes
spending the majority of the day in bed, but still feel exhausted. Back
pain, body aches and intense headaches are also common as is a dramatic
change in diet.
Treating the problem
If you feel that you may be suffering from depression, it is vitally
important that you talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor will not be
able to tell that you are suffering form depression simply by looking
at you. Many people feel that treatment will be pointless with their
condition, but treatment is usually very effective and can help
alleviate the condition.
There are a number of treatments that can help you, from counseling
to medication. For mild to moderate depression, counseling can be a very
good method of treatment. Psychotherapy will involve a discussion with a
trained counselor about your situation. This may involve talking about
your beliefs, your past, and your relationships. Everything you talk to
the counselor about will of course be held in the strictest confidence.
About The Author:A summa cum laude graduate of the Southern
California University of Health Sciences (chiropractic), Dr. Alan
Weidner writes on a wide range of health topics, from massage chairs to nutrition to home therapy. For more articles from Dr. Weidner, for your own website, visit www.massage-chair-relief.com/free_content.html.
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