Depression is a widespread illness and mental health challenge. It has become more popular than ever in recent years. In higher chance, around 17% of women and 13% of men will suffer depression at some point in their lives.
However, although depression is one of the most common psychological disorders, it is still unknown for many people. But, it can be different by its duration and intensity. Depression can be briefly explained into three kinds.
1. Depression
There is a depression that comes in milder and more short-term forms. Almost everyone has been depressed at some point in their lives. Pain and death are unavoidable aspects of life, and they leave most of us feeling blue, unhappy, lacking in confidence, apathetic, or inactive when they happen. We can lose some part of our enthusiasm, and the future looks grim.
It is a normal thing to show this kind of reaction. These emotions and thoughts generally disappear after the incident has passed or the person becomes adjusted to the new environment.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Clinical)
There is a depression called ‘persistent depressive disorder,’ which lasts a long time-least two years- and is more intense than the ones mentioned above. It can continue for years, with occasional periods of normal mood that last only a few weeks or months. It has effects on personal and job-related performance.
3. Major Depression (Clinical)
And there is a ‘major depression’ which feels sadness intensely and inability to experience pleasant emotions. They are unable to perform successfully in their daily lives as a result of this.
This is a case study of the ‘major depression.’
J has been depressed for three years, but things have gotten significantly worse. He has a deep sense of inadequacy and inferiority. Sleeping at night becomes a challenging thing, and J loses all hope for the future. Also, he can barely feel and move during the day, and his moods vary between deathly sadness and severe anxiety. J believes he has fallen too far down the rabbit hole of hopelessness to ever feel happy again. He is questioning himself about how long he wants to continue to live in his own personal hell.
There is a final goal that exists for people who have recovered from depression.
The final goal is that the environment and itself interact positively with each other. Most importantly, people who recover from depression can cheer up their surroundings. They brighten the lights in the house, and there are many cases start volunteer work. And some people also help people who have experienced similar things to themselves. They are being praised and get an appreciation for making a positive impact on themselves and others. In short, this is the final goal of the recovery.
Another Phrens Blog Post Related to This Topic- What Foods Can Help You When You Are Feeling Depressed
References
Photo by Gift Habeshaw, Emanuel Ekström, Martin Sanchez, Wesley Pacífico, Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash
- Passer, M & Smith, R. (2015). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Department of Health, State Government of Victoria. (2020). Depression explained. More information here.