depression and how to overcome it?

Answer 1

depression, in psychiatry, a symptom of mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of loss, sadness, hopelessness, failure, and rejection. The two major types of mood disorder are unipolar disorder, also called major depression, and bipolar disorder, whose sufferers are termed manic-depressive (see bipolar disorder). Other types of depression are recognized, with characteristics similar to the major mood disorders, but not as severe: they are adjustment disorder with depression, dysthymic disorder, and cyclothymic disorder.

Close to 20% of Americans are likely to suffer major depression at some time, and women tend to be more susceptible to the disorder than men. Major depression is likely to interfere significantly with everyday activity, with symptoms including insomnia, irritability, weight loss, and a lack of interest in outside events. The disorder may last several months or longer—and may recur—but it is generally reversible in the short run.

Bipolar disorder is much rarer, affecting only about 1% of the U.S. population; women and men tend to be equally susceptible. Its sufferers alternate between states of depression—similar to that which is experienced in unipolar disorder—and mania, which is characterized by intense euphoria and frenetic activity. Bipolar disorders are often interspersed with periods of relatively normal behavior, which may last for long periods of time between episodes of depression or mania. Manic-depressives have an extremely high rate of suicide, and episodes of the disorder tend to recur.

Medical evidence suggests that depressive states may be connected to deficiencies in the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin. Drug therapy includes various antidepressants that act on the flow of neurotransmitters and lithium for bipolar disorder (antidepressants can cause mania when used to treat depression in bipolar patients). There also has been success with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depression.

In recent years, theorists have argued that many depressed individuals depend upon others for their self-esteem, and that the loss of one of these emotional supports often precipitates a depressive reaction. A number of psychologists contend instead that depression is a result of learned helplessness, which occurs when a person determines through experience that his actions are useless in making positive changes. Other theorists have shown that genetic factors play a major role in depression.

Answer 2

I talked to a doctor once and they said there is no cure for depression; it can only be treated. And I would say that is the same as overcoming it. If you get some kind of medication, it will probably help. The only thing I have ever taken was Prozac. I think it helped. My wife said it did. Whenever I get back home, I was thinking about trying something different to see if maybe i can get a better effect from it. Ya, that one girl is right about exercising. But like she said, it's like when you are depressed you don't even what to do that. All you you really want to do is stay in bed. Or at a minimum stay in one spot for hours and just stare at one spot not moving, that usually helps. but don't get me wrong, that's not a productive, healthy thing to do. Chronic depression I think is depression that lasts for more than 6 months. I read that everyone gets depressed at some point it their lives. Ive been generally depressed my entire life. But I don't like to act depressed around other people because it gives the impression that you are lazy, or have a bad attitude. I hate that. So whenever i feel depressed, I just leave. Oh, something else. It wasn't until only a few years ago that I realized that I had depression. Before that I thought that everyone just felt the same way, so then I thought something else was with with me. I'm glad I figured it out finally.

Answer 3

The usual answers are to socialise with people, exercise, take the right medication etc...

I say etc.. because it's all just sticking plaster on a gaping wound. Who wouldn't be depressed if they thought about the unfairness, the coldness and the abitariness of the world? A world where genius can go undiscovered whilst the average, the everyday or the downright incompetent reach the greatest heights of power?

There arre many reasons why people become depressed. Some people think that depression is more prevalent in the intelligent but that is not wholly true- it is probably more accurate to say that it is more prevalent in the sensitive, whether they are intelligent or not. However, being sensitive does not necessarily mean that you are more 'good' than other people.

Being sensitive is not necessarily ALWAYS a good thing. It can render some people hesitant, leaving them unable to fulfil their potential or even not giving them the confidence to make the decisions that they feel are correct.

Doctors usually say that depression occurs because of an imbalance in the brain. They don't really care about other factors such as bereavement or profound sadness about one or more matters- they regard that as a matter for counsellors, not them.

Getting over depression can take a while but it is always aided by having close friends or family that you trust and are on a similar 'wavelength' to. And, when you are depressed, you must try to remember what you are as a person because it is no bearing on how good or bad you are. You might have done something bad, causing you to become depressed out of guilt or you might be a relatively good person who has become depressed out of becoming isolated.

Answer 4

There's depression, and then there's *depression*, and then there's DEPRESSION. You're not saying which one you're experiencing - but here are some hints.

If we're talking DEPRESSION - like, you're not getting out of bed, *nothing* gives you any pleasure, you're planning suicide - then you need some professional help pronto, that's all there is to it. Fortunately, that kind of help is generally all over the place, and only a phone call away.

If you're *depressed* because you're going through a rough patch - life crisis, sudden tragedy, etc - well, realize that that's to be expected in those kinds of circumstances. Talking to someone who cares about you can help a lot. If you don't feel that you have anyone who matches that description, a trained counselor or therapist can also be very helpful. It can also help to reflect on the fact that this problem is, in all likelihood, transitory...

If you're just a little down because you don't know what to do about some problem or another, I find that taking action - *some* action, *any* action - is a good way out. Even cleaning a room can give you some sense of accomplishment and purpose, and get you out of the "nothing I do makes any difference" funk.

In general, I always try to find something in the course of a day to give me a good bellylaugh - find some silly video online, read some jokes, rent a Charlie Chaplin movie. That can be a good preventative.

If you can find a book called LIGHTEN UP! by CW Metcalf, you'll find a lot of suggestions for keeping joy in your life...

Answer 5

Depression can be really serious, and it really buggs me when people get on here and give smart *** responses to a serious problem.

If you are clinically depressed, there are good medications out there that can help. Depression is sometimes caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. These medications help get the chemical balance back and you feel better. However, it does take some time to do this because they have to build up in your body before you notice effects.

A trained psychologist can diagnose your depression and work with you to find a medication that works for you. Not all antidepressants are created equal and not all will work for everyone. You must stick with it and try out different meds in order for you to find the one that works for you.

Sometimes exercise can help, even if it is just a walk around the block. It is good for relieving stress, and can actually improve your depression symptoms.

Get help, it is the only way. Talk to someone. Depression is not something most people can just overcome on their own.

Answer 6

The best way to see mental disorders is a series of varying degrees of depression and stress. Mild stress produces an excellent person for creativity and performance. More depression saps the energy and creativity that these people once had as the leave neurosis and become bipolar. There are three levels used to describe Bipolar. Then the imbalance of chemicals made by your own brain plays havoc with the whole control system. The auto brain or lower brain can aggressively access messages that were kept from it earlier. As the depression continues and more and more logic substitutions are made the mind goes into a full psychosis where ideas are disassociated and language decays. The end result of psychosis from severe depression is schizophrenia which has been described as incurable . There are of course are always a few people who have been able to recover mental stability. The greatest learning step required for all levels of depression recovery is to see that society as two groups . Study what you group are in and stay with your own kind to find peace and happiness.

Answer 7

Try this:

Look into your past and after a deep look ( sometimes painful ) you will notice that most of what are depressed of are unsolved issues, related to relatives, during your childhood, things that remained in "stand-by" inside you and now that you know about them you are able to "forgive and forget", then you solved them and the pain and depression ill be disappearing little by little, is not easy but is not very hard either.

Do not take medicine, at all.

Speak to your most trustable friend or sister, the more you speak, the better.

Try Aromatherapy, Lavender, Orange, Patchouli oils are great.

Picture yourself living a happy life, remember those happy moments you've had.

Remember that the universe won't be the same without you.

Answer 8

You should try exercising. It helps, and this is coming from experience. The only problem is, when you're depressed, then you dont feel like doing it, so in the beginning you will need someone to give you that push. After a while, you will be able to get into the groove yourself.

Answer 9

I was so depressed I was suicidal at one point in my life, but since I became a born-again-Christian, I have never been happier. I just put my trust in God, and Jesus Christ healed me completely of it. I believe the Holy Spirit healed me as he has done on many occassions and to many people.

I know that your local college usually do courses for depression and will work with you and your doctor, the courses are discreet and many people have completed them, myself included. The best thing to do is get in touch with the College, and they will be only to glad to help you out on a "Personal Development Course", which depression goes under, as well as many other courses for different symptoms. Hope all goes well and God Bless You.

Answer 10

When I get depressed, I write. I have a note book for when I get depressed. It helps me figure out whats bothering me and through writting I can figure out how to fix it if I can. Either that, or I'll find random people to talk to on the internet. They don't know you in real life and sometimes it's good to have feedback on your issues.

Answer 11

never think you can overcome depression by yourself.go see your doctor.try to convince them you need couselling,sometimes doctors prefer to give antidpressents which although is good for the shortterm counselling is a big asset and a long term healer as you become aware of what makes you feel this way and learn how to cope with it.my opinion only of course