Recognising And Treating Depression For Improved Health

As a result of a range of factors including long working hours, financial concerns, anxieties relating to job security and at this time of year – gloomy, grey days, many people are presently suffering from mild forms of depression. Whilst people respond to depression in different ways, common symptoms can include: loss of interest in activities and hobbies, low self-esteem, loss of appetite, insomnia or sleeping too much, disrupted sleep-patterns, aches and pains, forgetfulness, lack of confidence, feelings of remorse, regret and guilt and extreme lethargy.

In the medical community there is a differentiation between having a depressed mood and actually suffering from depression. If an individual is consistently depressed for a period of two weeks and beyond, they are classified as a depressive, and will be categorised as one of types: Dysthymia – which is considered to be long-term and often represents a life-long struggle, and Recurring-Deep-Depression, which exists in shorter bouts and is often considered as a form of milder-depression.

Fortunately, whilst depression can be distressing for those that experience it, there are many forms of treatment available that can help you to manage it:

As a starting point, exercise can help to improve moods by releasing endorphins that foster feelings of happiness in people. Reducing work-stress can help you to mentally de-clutter and become less anxious in professional situations. Speaking to people about your problems and benefiting from their advice and wisdom can also help you to feel better and realise that you are not alone. Keeping a mood chart can be an effective means of minimising depressive moods, as it can help you to understand the link between feeling depressed and the situations that lead to its onset. Finally, consulting a trained professional may be beneficial and help you to develop long-term strategies that can keep depressed moods at bay in the future.