Depression is an illness that is often misunderstood which makes it difficult for the person with depression, as well as their friends and families to address depression-related issues.
To help you understand more about depression and how you can help someone with the illness, I would like to share with you the top 5 most frequent questions that people ask me about my depression.
Here they are: Q1: What is depression? A: Depression is more than just a low mood - it is a medical condition, a serious illness that CAN be treated.
It is normal to feel sad, low or moody when events happen in your life, such as the loss of a loved one or a relationship breakup.
But there are those people who experience these feeling so intensely and for long periods of time.
These people may have depression.
Consider this fact: 1 in 5 people experience depression at sometime in their lives.
Astonishing, isn't it? As if that is not enough, depression is one of the most COMMON of all mental health problems.
Q2: What is the difference between these "normal" feelings of sadness and the feelings associated with depression? A: The INTENSITY and LENGTH of the mood is the difference.
Let me explain.
Depression is much more intense than a simple bad mood, and lasts for at least two weeks or longer.
Because of the intensity and length of the mood, a person with depression may find it difficult to fully function on a day-to-day basis.
For example, they may neglect their health, avoid going to work or school and not even want to get out of bed.
Q3: Is there a cure for depression? A: I have asked this question many times to the various mental health practitioners that I have come into contact with over my 20 year journey with depression.
And the answer that I have most often been supplied with is "no".
But here is the most important part.
Even though there may not be a cure for depression, there is absolutely nothing stopping a person with depression, from living a happy, fulfilling and successful life.
I am certainly living proof that if you get the right treatment for depression, then there is a great life ahead of you.
Q4: What is the difference between depression and bipolar disorder? A4: Both depression and bipolar are treatable illnesses.
Bipolar disorder (which was called manic depression), involves extreme changes in mood - both periods of feeling low (depressed) and high (mania).
This is why it is known as "bipolar" disorder as a person's mood alternates between "poles" of mania.
People with bipolar disorder have these extreme moods that may not relate to what is happening in their lives.
But people with depression (that would be me!), do not experience these highs and lows - we just feel lousy all the time - until we obtain the correct treatment.
Q5: I think that someone I know has depression, what should I do? A: This is a great question! Depression is an illness that requires treatment, just like any other illness.
Think about it like this.
If you know someone who seems to always be short of breath and has difficulty breathing, you may correctly think that they have asthma.
Now, do you think that it would be a good idea to just let that person's breathing continue to deteriorate or would you do something about it? Of course, you would try to help that person by suggesting that they go to their doctor, or if they are reluctant to go, offer to go with them.
See the similarity? Both depression and asthma are illnesses that need medical treatment.
I had depression for at least 5 years before I was correctly diagnosed with the illness.
And being totally honest, I went through living hell during those 5 years.
My point being that early diagnosis of depression is essential to help someone you know.
The person whom you suspect has depression may avoid going to their doctor because they are ashamed or embarrassed.
This is EXACTLY how I felt.
I did not want to be labeled as having a mental illness such as depression, because that would mean I am crazy.
Right? WRONG! My depression has nothing to do with my sanity, but because of all the stigma that society has attached to mental illness, many people do not seek treatment, just as I didn't.
This is a dangerous decision and may have fatal consequences.
If you think someone might be depressed, then please do something about it to help them...
...
by taking ACTION such as making a doctor's appointment for them, and go with them to the appointment.
There is hope out there, and trained mental health people who can help with treating depression.
A person's depression will always be there, however, if you help them to seek treatment then their future will look so much brighter and they will feel happier and more content with themselves.
To help you understand more about depression and how you can help someone with the illness, I would like to share with you the top 5 most frequent questions that people ask me about my depression.
Here they are: Q1: What is depression? A: Depression is more than just a low mood - it is a medical condition, a serious illness that CAN be treated.
It is normal to feel sad, low or moody when events happen in your life, such as the loss of a loved one or a relationship breakup.
But there are those people who experience these feeling so intensely and for long periods of time.
These people may have depression.
Consider this fact: 1 in 5 people experience depression at sometime in their lives.
Astonishing, isn't it? As if that is not enough, depression is one of the most COMMON of all mental health problems.
Q2: What is the difference between these "normal" feelings of sadness and the feelings associated with depression? A: The INTENSITY and LENGTH of the mood is the difference.
Let me explain.
Depression is much more intense than a simple bad mood, and lasts for at least two weeks or longer.
Because of the intensity and length of the mood, a person with depression may find it difficult to fully function on a day-to-day basis.
For example, they may neglect their health, avoid going to work or school and not even want to get out of bed.
Q3: Is there a cure for depression? A: I have asked this question many times to the various mental health practitioners that I have come into contact with over my 20 year journey with depression.
And the answer that I have most often been supplied with is "no".
But here is the most important part.
Even though there may not be a cure for depression, there is absolutely nothing stopping a person with depression, from living a happy, fulfilling and successful life.
I am certainly living proof that if you get the right treatment for depression, then there is a great life ahead of you.
Q4: What is the difference between depression and bipolar disorder? A4: Both depression and bipolar are treatable illnesses.
Bipolar disorder (which was called manic depression), involves extreme changes in mood - both periods of feeling low (depressed) and high (mania).
This is why it is known as "bipolar" disorder as a person's mood alternates between "poles" of mania.
People with bipolar disorder have these extreme moods that may not relate to what is happening in their lives.
But people with depression (that would be me!), do not experience these highs and lows - we just feel lousy all the time - until we obtain the correct treatment.
Q5: I think that someone I know has depression, what should I do? A: This is a great question! Depression is an illness that requires treatment, just like any other illness.
Think about it like this.
If you know someone who seems to always be short of breath and has difficulty breathing, you may correctly think that they have asthma.
Now, do you think that it would be a good idea to just let that person's breathing continue to deteriorate or would you do something about it? Of course, you would try to help that person by suggesting that they go to their doctor, or if they are reluctant to go, offer to go with them.
See the similarity? Both depression and asthma are illnesses that need medical treatment.
I had depression for at least 5 years before I was correctly diagnosed with the illness.
And being totally honest, I went through living hell during those 5 years.
My point being that early diagnosis of depression is essential to help someone you know.
The person whom you suspect has depression may avoid going to their doctor because they are ashamed or embarrassed.
This is EXACTLY how I felt.
I did not want to be labeled as having a mental illness such as depression, because that would mean I am crazy.
Right? WRONG! My depression has nothing to do with my sanity, but because of all the stigma that society has attached to mental illness, many people do not seek treatment, just as I didn't.
This is a dangerous decision and may have fatal consequences.
If you think someone might be depressed, then please do something about it to help them...
...
by taking ACTION such as making a doctor's appointment for them, and go with them to the appointment.
There is hope out there, and trained mental health people who can help with treating depression.
A person's depression will always be there, however, if you help them to seek treatment then their future will look so much brighter and they will feel happier and more content with themselves.