Depression - Symptoms
Depression is a psychological condition that changes how you think and feel, and
also affects your social behaviour and sense of physical well-being. Depression can
affect anyone. Once identified, most people diagnosed with depression are
successfully treated. Unfortunately, depression is not always diagnosed, because
many of the symptoms mimic physical illness, such as sleep and appetite
disturbances.
Depression is a "whole-body" illness, involving your body, mood, and thoughts. It
affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way
you think about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue
mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or
wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves
together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks,
months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who
suffer from depression.
The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person, and also depend on
the severity of the depression. Depression causes changes in thinking, feeling,
behaviour, and physical well being.
·
Changes in Thinking - Sufferers may experience problems with
concentration and decision-making. Some people report difficulty with
short-term memory, forgetting things all the time. Negative thoughts and
thinking are characteristic of depression. Pessimism, poor self-esteem,
excessive guilt, and self-criticism are all common. Some people have selfdestructive thoughts during a more serious depression.
·
Changes in Feelings - Sufferers may feel sad for no reason at all. Some
people report that they no longer enjoy activities that they once found
pleasurable. They might lack motivation, and become more apathetic. They
might feel "slowed down" and tired all the time. Sometimes irritability is a
problem, and it may be more difficulty controlling temper. In the extreme,
depression is characterised by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
·
Changes in Behaviour - Changes in behaviour during depression are
reflective of the negative emotions being experienced. Sufferers might act
more apathetic. Some people do not feel comfortable with other people, so
social withdrawal is common. They may experience a dramatic change in
appetite, either eating more or less. Because of the chronic sadness,
excessive crying is common. Some people complain about everything, and
act out their anger with temper outbursts.
Changes in Physical Well-being - Chronic fatigue, despite spending more
time sleeping, is common. Some people can't sleep, or don't sleep soundly.
These individuals lay awake for hours, or awaken many times during the
night. Others sleep many hours, even most of the day, although they still
feel tired. Many people lose their appetite, feel slowed down by depression,
and complain of many aches and pains. Others are restless, and can't sit
still.
Depressive disorders come in different forms. There are several different diagnoses
for depression, mostly determined by the intensity of the symptoms, the duration
of the symptoms, and the specific cause of the symptoms, if that is known.
Major Depression - This is the most serious type of depression, in terms of number
of symptoms and severity of symptoms, but there are significant individual
differences in the symptoms and severity.
Dysthymic Disorder - This refers to a low to moderate level of depression that
persists for at least two years, and often longer. While the symptoms are not as
severe as a major depression, they are more enduring and resistant to treatment.
Unspecified Depression - This category is used to help researchers who are studying
other specific types of depression, and do not want their data confounded with
marginal diagnoses. It includes people with a serious depression, but not quite
severe enough to have a diagnosis of a major depression.
Adjustment Disorder, with Depression - This category describes depression that
occurs in response to a major life stressor or crisis.
Bipolar Depression - This type includes both high and low mood swings, as well as a
variety of other significant symptoms not present in other depressions.
Cognitive Factors of Depression
·
Self-evaluation - In depression, self-evaluation is generally negative and
critical. When someone is depressed, he/she tends to take responsibility for
everything that goes wrong
·
Identification of Skill Deficits - When depressed, a person is more likely
to identify negative characteristics of self, and less likely to see the positive.
Evaluation of Life Experiences - When depressed, a person will focus on minor
negative aspects of what was otherwise a positive life experience
·
Self-talk - Self-talk is a way of describing all the things we say to
ourselves all day long as we confront obstacles, make decisions, and resolve
problems. We all engage in self-talk. But, negative self-talk prevents us
from solving problems, and can contribute to a variety of psychological
problems, including depression
·
Automatic thoughts - Automatic thoughts are repetitive, automatic selfstatements that we always say to ourselves in certain situations. They can
be positive or negative. Problems can develop when our automatic thoughts
are consistently negative.
·
Irrational Ideas and Beliefs - What makes these ideas irrational, or
maladaptive, is the belief that they are always correct. The result is a loss
of self-esteem, and sometimes, depression
·
Over-generalising or Catastrophising - Catastrophising is a negative
over-generalisation. It is "making a mountain out of a mole hill!" If you overgeneralize one, or even a few mistakes, to the conclusion that you are bad,
incompetent, or useless, you might become depressed.
·
Cognitive Distortions - Cognitive distortions are a way of describing the
distortion of reality by the way we evaluate a situation. The concept of
cognitive distortion highlights the importance of perceptions, assumptions
and judgements in coping with the world.
·
Pessimistic Thinking - Pessimistic thinking does not cause depression, but
it appears to be easier to become depressed if you tend to view the world
with considerable pessimism. Pessimism feeds the negative cognitive
distortions and self-talk.