Unshackled Souls

Episode 3: From Despair to Hope: Navigating the Darkness and Understanding Depression


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What is Depression?

Depression is a serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating or working.

Diagnosis?

In order to diagnose depression the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
Types of Depression? Major Depression - Includes symptoms of depressed mood or loss of interest, most of the time for at least 2 weeks, that interfere with daily activities.
Persistent Depressive Disorder - Also know as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder. Consists of less severe symptoms of depression that last much longer, usually for at least 2 years.
Perinatal Depression - is depression that occurs during or after pregnancy. Depression that begins during pregnancy is prenatal depress and depression that begins after the baby is born is postpartum depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder - is depression that comes and goes with the season, with symptoms typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.
Depression with symptoms of psychosis - is a severe form of depression in which a person experiences psychosis symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations.

Who can get Depression?

While studies show women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, Depression can happen to anyone

Signs and Symptoms of Depression:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

Difficulty sleeping, waking early in the morning, or oversleeping

Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes

Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment

Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Depression can also involve other changes in mood or behavior that include:
Increased anger or irritability

Feeling restless or on edge

Becoming withdrawn, negative, or detached
Increased engagement in high-risk activities
Greater impulsivity
Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Isolating from family and friends

Inability to meet the responsibilities of work and family or ignoring other important roles

Problems with sexual desire and performance

*** Keep in mind everyone is different and not everyone experiences all or even some of the symptoms above ***

Ways to Help Manage Depression:

Try to get physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost your mood.

Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.

Eat regular, healthy meals.

Break up large tasks into small ones; do what you can as you can. Try to talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.

Delay making important decisions, such as getting married or divorced, or changing jobs until you feel better.
Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.
Make an appointment with a health care provider such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or a social worker
The holidays can be a challenging time for those dealing with depression. It's important to remember that you're not alone and there are resources available to help you. It might be helpful to reach out to a professional and to engage in self care activities that bring you joy and comfort. Surround yourself with loved ones who understand and support you, and ask for help when you need it. Remember its okay to not be okay and always be kind to one another.


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Unshackled SoulsBy Amanda Paige Medina