Month: February 2022

Inside the mind of someone dealing with depression

Inside the mind of someone dealing with depression

Coping with depression

While each person has their own unique experience with their mental health issues, when you get inside the minds of people who are dealing with depression, there are some commonalities. It is important to identify and understand what depressive episodes may look like for those struggling with major depressive disorder, how you can get inside the mind of someone who is experiencing depression, and how to give or receive help.

Symptoms of a Depressive Episode

In the mind of someone experiencing depression, a wide range of symptoms often appear as the person dips in and out of episodes. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a depressive episode are:

  • You feel sad or down
  • Difficulty staying focused
  • Feeling foggy or disoriented
  • Feeling anxious
  • Irregular sleep patterns
  • Lack of interest
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular Eating Patterns
  • Possible suicidal thoughts
  • Feeling lost, hopeless, directionless

What is going on inside the person’s mind?

The signs and symptoms listed above are some of the most common experiences for someone experiencing a depressive episode, but the list doesn’t stop there. Someone experiencing depression may experience variations of these symptoms that manifest physically and emotionally.

For example, someone experiencing depression may have lost interest in things that used to excite them and may no longer engage in hobbies or other activities. One could feel indifference to friends, family, partner or loved ones with whom they had a strong emotional connection. A physical manifestation of this symptom may include a low sex drive, where one feels disinterested in sex or intimacy with his/her partner or in general.

When someone is dealing with depression, one of the most common misconceptions is that the person is only filled with dark thoughts and sadness. The person experiencing major depressive disorder may feel this way, but the most common symptoms of depression are related to feeling tired, apathetic, sad, and losing direction about the future.

What causes depression?

Depression is a complex mental health issue that is not limited to one cause or reason. Many different factors influence one’s tendency or susceptibility to major depressive disorder. The most common reason associated with depression is that there is a chemical imbalance in brain functions. That is, a person lacks a certain chemical (neurotransmitter) or perhaps has too much of another, affecting their mood, thoughts and experiences.

While this is true to some extent, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of depressive disorders. Each person is different in what triggers their depression, as well as their predispositions to experiencing an episode. Much is still unknown about how the brain works and what happens when you step into the mind of someone struggling with depression. What we do know is that certain external and internal influences play a catalytic role in one’s likelihood of experiencing depression. Some of the most common reasons someone may experience depression are genetic predisposition or a significant and unpleasant life event, such as the loss of a loved one.

What should I do if I think that me or someone I know is depressed?

Depending on the severity, feelings of hopelessness and fear can force isolating actions such as cutting off communication with friends and family. The truth is, no one should go through a depressive episode alone.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a depressive episode, it is important to consult a mental health professional. With the help of a therapist, you or your loved one can begin to work constructively on how to manage symptoms in order to get depression under control and then—with the help of some technical interventions—recover.

Categories: Mental Disorders

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What is the connection between physical and mental health?

What is the connection between physical and mental health?

For most people, physical health and mental health are two very different things. But this is very far from reality. Physical and mental health are closely related. When you have good mental health, your physical health can improve and vice versa. By connecting physical and mental health and understanding how they affect each other, and thus the importance of optimizing both, you can live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.

What happens when a person’s Mental Health weakens?

When you are in a good mental state, you can stay physically healthy. In fact, studies show that having a positive outlook on life can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, studies show that happiness helps reduce inflammation levels in the body. Either way, good mental health can help you live a healthier and happier life.

What happens when a person’s Physical Health weakens?

Sooner or later, we all reach a point where we realize why we shouldn’t take our health for granted. For example, when someone breaks their leg and can’t walk without help, all they’ll think about is how great it will be when they walk again. Before the accident, he probably didn’t spend any time thinking about the health of his leg.

Likewise, when a person is diagnosed with a serious condition, it can be difficult to maintain an optimistic outlook on life, and negative thoughts could lead to depression. In turn, depression can have a negative impact on a person’s overall health and further worsen the current condition.

7 Tips for improving Mental and Physical Health

Now that you have more knowledge about the mind-body connection and how our physical and mental health are connected, let’s look at some tips you can use to improve your mental and physical health and live life to the fullest.

Regular Exercise

Exercising on a regular basis can improve your physical health while helping you lose weight and increase your energy and stamina. At the same time, exercise can also help improve your mental health – and depression and anxiety in particular. The better you feel physically, the easier it is to see the world in a positive light. You spend less time dealing with aches and pains and have the energy needed to accomplish more every day.

Sleep well

If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t feel well in the morning. It is so simple. Without enough sleep, you will have to function with less energy and may have trouble concentrating. If you don’t get enough sleep, you increase your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, among other unpleasant conditions.

Getting enough sleep each night—seven to nine hours is recommended—can improve your learning and problem-solving skills while increasing your attention, creativity, and decision-making abilities.

Do not abuse alcohol

If you’ve ever had a hangover after a night of overindulgence, you probably have a good idea that alcohol isn’t good for your physical health. What you may not know is that drinking alcohol is also associated with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and an overall negative outlook on life.

By giving up alcohol, you will improve your mental and physical health. Replace these substances with healthy meals and exercise for multiple benefits.

Practice mindfulness

Many of us go through life without really paying attention to small things. By forcing yourself to pay more attention to the present moment, you can become more in tune with your body, which can help reduce depression and anxiety—and even help you manage chronic pain. All of this is possible by practicing mindfulness, a meditative practice inspired by Buddhist teachings.

See your doctor

You are used to taking care of your car with regular oil changes and service. Similarly, you should go to your doctor on a regular basis. The sooner you recognize that something is wrong with your body, the sooner you can recover. By developing a strong relationship with a medical practitioner, you can increase your physical and mental well-being.

Talk to a Mental Health Counselor / Psychotherapist

Likewise, it makes perfect sense to join forces with a trusted therapist who can help you overcome problems, change the way you think, and manage any mental health issues you may be dealing with.

A therapist can be especially helpful when it comes to solving the problems you are experiencing. When you have a strong relationship with a therapist, you will have someone who can help you maintain a good quality of life, no matter what obstacles you encounter in it.

Categories: Mental Health - General

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