Dealing with Depression : Real-Life Talk with Precious

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On today's show,
Being depressed often feels like carrying a very heavy burden, but you are not alone in this struggle. Many people suffer from some form of depression every year, making it one of the most common mental disorders especially with the middle aged.

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What is Depression?

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According to the America psychiatric association, Depression also called Major depressive disorder is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

Also depression can be persistent sadness and loss of interest in life or in activities once enjoyed. It can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

Statistics
Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that in 2014, depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any giveadultsone in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life.
On average, depression first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression.

Is Depression Just Sadness?

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Depression is more than just feeling sad. Everyone feels upset or unmotivated from time to time, but depression is more serious.
To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

However, being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving process is natural and and shares some of the same symptoms of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities.
But are also different in the following ways:

• In grief, painful feelings come in waves, intermeddled with positive memories of [for example] the deceased. In depression, interest or pleasure are decreased for most of two weeks.

• Self-esteem is usually maintained in grief, while in major depression, feelings of unworthyness, worthlessness and self-loathing are very common.

For some people, sad experiences can bring on major depression. When grief and depression co-exist, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression.

Types of Depression

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There are different types of depression people experience:

=> Major Depression:
This is the most common type of depression. Often, people with major depression experience recurrent episodes throughout their lives. Most people experoence their first episode in their 20s.

=> Seaonal Affective Disorder:
This is a type of depression brought on from a lack of natural sunlight. It is often experienced in places or seasons when sunlight is scarce.

=> Dysthymia:
This is a severe form of depression because it involves persistent low mood over a long period of time, even a year or more. It could be described as feeling like you’re living on autopilot.

=> Atypical Depression:
People who suffer from this often report feeling of heaviness in their limbs. It causes irritability and relationship problems and could as well result to overeating and oversleeping.

=> Postpartum Depression:l
This type is more relatable with women however it is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that women expeeience but clears within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth.
Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery. The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression make it difficult for these new mothers to function properly in daily care activities for their babies.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:

Major Symptoms of Depression

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• Constant feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed or in life.
• Frustration and restlessness
• Irregularities with sleep, sleep disturbances or excess sleeping.
• Fatigue and exhaustion

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Treatments

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Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that causes symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Therefore gaining a deeper understanding of depression can help begin the journey to recovery.

These are steps that can be taken to treat depression;

1. Set Goals:
   When you're depressed, setting daily goals for yourself is a good way to push back from the usual feeling that you can't accomplish anything which makes you feel worse about yourself.
   Make your goal something that is easily attainable like doing the dishes every other day.

2. Sleep and Rest Well:
   One symptom of depression is its effect on sleep making it hard to get enough sleep time and this can make depression worse.

3. Setting Boundaries:
   If you always feel like you just can’t say no, even when you are stressed and overwhelmed, you are more at risk for depression. Setting healthy boundaries in relationships and at work can help reduce stress, identifying and the right boundaries are good and therapy can help with this.

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1. Do exercises:
   Having exercise routines boosts certain chemicals that make you feel good called endorphins. This may also have long-term benefits for people who suffer depression. It retrains the brain to feel positively again.

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Other references:

1. National Institute of Mental Health. (Data from 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.) www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-adults
2. https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments

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REAL-LIFE TALK WITH PRECIOUS
Where we discuss real life experiences and challenges, fix worries and find solutions.

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Today my special shout out goes to the strong and beautiful queen @mermaidvampire who has been such an inspiration and holds a special spot in my heart. She is a wonderful person who despite her illness still puts smiles on the face of many. I celebrate you

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