Depression goes far beyond occasional feelings of sadness and often includes debilitating physical discomfort. Treatment involves a combination of antidepressant medications and talk therapies.
The depression definition that mental health experts use is a persistently down mood and loss of interest that affects a person’s day-to-day life, and can even lead to thoughts of suicide. The condition is also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, and it affects nearly 15 million Americans. Although depression typically starts in the 20s or 30s, it can affect people of all ages. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to depression because of illness and the loss of loved ones.
Many different types of depression exist. Postpartum depression is a sad mood that begins in the weeks or months after a woman gives birth. Bipolar disorder alternates between periods of depression and unusually high moods. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that emerges during the winter months, when sunlight is in short supply.
Identifying depression is the first step toward treating it. Depression symptoms include: feeling sad, anxious, hopeless, guilty, or anxious; fatigue or decreased energy; loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed; trouble concentrating or remembering; trouble sleeping or sleeping too much; loss of appetite, or eating too much; irritability; vague physical symptoms, such as a headache or stomachache; and thoughts of death, or wanting to end your life.
Doctors typically diagnose depression by first ruling out medical conditions that can cause the same symptoms, such as a thyroid disorder. Then the doctor will likely do a depression test, asking questions about feelings, sleep, energy level, and other common indicators of the disease.
Are you or a loved one suffering from constant sadness? Do you ever have difficulty concentrating or sometimes just feel helpless?
If so, claim your FREE copy, right now, of our definitive guide on depression.
If you’ve been struggling to figure out how to overcome depression, you may have turned to medications, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and/or alternative treatments. Each can be effective, but they also won’t guarantee relief from that cloud of depression.
How to Overcome Depression: Medications
Medications are thought to improve mood by adjusting … Read More
You’ve heard of it, but you still may be wondering, “What is dopamine?” Its reputation centers around its reputation as the “feel-good hormone.” Dopamine is associated with feelings of euphoria, bliss, motivation, and concentration, yet there’s more to it than that.
Like serotonin, dopamine is a type of brain chemical called … Read More
Some people don’t like to take drugs. While it’s definitely not advisable to self-treat for depression without the guidance of your doctor, and you should never, ever stop taking medication for depression against medical advice, there are instances when so-called natural depression remedies may be in order. St. John’s wort, … Read More
Knowing about the benefits of exercise doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll get off the couch and do it. So… here are 7 steps to help you get motivated to exercise. … Read More
If you are a man in the U.S., you have a 12% chance of suffering from depression symptoms at some point during the course of your life. The key for you to beat depression naturally is to recognize these symptoms. … Read More
Research shows that when you’re consistently sad, pessimistic, or moody you may have a serotonin deficiency that you can treat yourself by using serotonin supplements. The four natural serotonin supplements presented here have all been shown to help treat serotonin deficiency symptoms such as depression, insomnia, and more by increasing … Read More
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms have been linked to numerous health problems, including heart disease, depression, and even cancer.[1] Here are 10 signs you’re not getting enough vitamin D:
Depression or anxiety
Bone softening (low bone density) or fractures
Fatigue and generalized weakness
Muscle cramps and weakness
Joint pain (most noticeable … Read More
Most people live their lives on a pretty even keel. Day-to-day, their temperament remains the same, although they may experience periods of happiness and sadness in response to life events. For people with bipolar depression, however, life is often a rollercoaster ride. Their moods may shift radically from week to … Read More
Depression is miserable and debilitating. It can rob you of your motivation, energy, and zest for life. The goal of treating depression is simple—to feel better! With more than 10 percent of the population taking antidepressants, it seems prudent to ask, “Do antidepressants really work?”
Antidepressants are the second most commonly … Read More
Depression is a disorder that negatively affects mood, thoughts, and behavior. It is also known as “major depressive disorder” or “clinical depression,” and for a diagnosis to be made, symptoms must have been present for at least two weeks. It is a common but serious mood disorder, but with appropriate … Read More
You are trying to access subscribers-only content. If you are a subscriber, use the form below to log in.
Subscribers will have unlimited access to the magazine that helps people live more sustainable, self-reliant lives, with feature stories on tending the garden, managing the homestead, raising healthy livestock and more!
You are trying to access subscribers-only content. If you are a subscriber, use the form below to log in.
Subscribers will have unlimited access to the magazine that helps the small-scale poultry enthusiast raise healthy, happy, productive flocks for eggs, meat or fun - from the countryside to the urban homestead!
