Since May is The Mental Health Awareness Month, so all my post in this month is going be about Mental health.

I’m going to talk about a topic which is often neglected. Most widespread yet underrated topic, DEPRESSION. If you open up about it, you can save lives. You can either save yourself or someone around you.

Do you know that suicide was under top 10 leading cause of death last year? The average suicide rate in India is 10.9 for every lakh people and the majority of people who commit suicide are below 44 years of age.

India is the most depressed country in the world according to WHO.

Though there are effective measures and treatments, there is an extreme shortage of mental health workers.

Even individuals who are high functioning and successful also suffer from crippling anxiety or severe depression in silence.

Social media display only happy parts of our lives. And we have learned to put up a brave, happy face despite how we are feeling inside.

Depression is not just about feeling sad or lonely. What separates depression from sadness is that the sadness is about melancholy while depression persists.

A person suffering from depression struggles with overwhelming feelings of grief, hopelessness, worthlessness and emptiness on daily basis.

1. MAJOR DEPRESSION

This is the most common type of depression.

Symptoms: Extreme sadness, hopelessness, lack of sleep and eating, and even suicidal thoughts are very common with this type of depression. Difficulty in sleeping, feeling exhausted and sluggish, feeling restless and agitated, loss of interest in things you usually like, feeling guilty or worthless, and difficulty concentrating.

By definition, major depression is diagnosed when a person has many of the symptoms listed above for at least two weeks.

2. Situational Depression

Situational depression isn’t like major (or chronic) depression. It’s triggered by something that has happened, such as a breakup, death of a family member, job loss, divorce, failing in exam etc.

While the feelings of depression are no less than the other types, the main difference is that the feelings end. You are experiencing a moment of depression that will fade as time goes on.

I believe if people are taught the difference between chronic and situational depression, the world might see a decrease in suicide. Currently, people suffering from situational depression don’t know that the pain ends. Symptoms are similar to major depression.

3. Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder is very similar to major depression and is often referred to as chronic major depression. The main difference is that you fall within this category if you’ve been suffering from major depression for more than two years (for a long time).

The symptoms of this type of depression are a little different, as the depression is caused by a chemical imbalance as opposed to a trigger. Often times, no matter how good life is, you can seem to avoid the following (without treatment):

• Sudden change in dietary habits (overeating or not eating enough)
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep
• Feeling fatigue and sluggish
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless

4. Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is often referred to as manic depression. With this mental illness, you experience a range of extreme highs and extreme lows. And these moods are sudden, there’s rarely a middle ground.

This type of depression does need to be treated with medication in an effort to stabilize your moods.

5.Seasonal Affective Disorder

It’s a period of major depression you experience during a specific season. Often times, for most people suffering, it’s during the winter months. However, you can experience SAD during the summer months as well.
Treating seasonal affective disorder is fairly easy in comparison to the other types of depression.

6.Melancholia

Melancholia is a severe form of depression. It’s characterized as a complete loss of pleasure in basically everything.

Symptoms: persistent feelings of extreme sadness for a long period of time, loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, having a lack of energy or feeling fatigued, feeling anxious or irritable, eating too much or too little, sleeping too much or too little, experiencing changes in body movement (for example, jiggling your leg when you didn’t before), difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things, thinking or talking about death or suicide, deep feelings of despair and worthlessness

7.Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Yet another reason why women love getting their period (please note my sarcasm) is the wonderful dose of PMS that can come with it. This type of depression occurs at the start of a menstrual cycle.

Symptoms premenstrual dysphoric disorder

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Change in appetite (hello, chocolate!)
• Change in sleep habits
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed and emotional

8.Psychotic Depression

Don’t let the name of this depression get you down. Psychotic depression does not mean you’re a psycho. You just experience different types of symptoms that are associated with other major mental illness.

Along with the other symptoms of major depression, someone suffering from psychotic depression may experience:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia

Depression is a serious health concern. Discover what types of depression you (or you known ones) have and finally obtain the help, tips, and tricks to overcome this illness.

I’m going to write more about depression, anxiety, coping skills and many more. I strongly believe that our mental health influences how we think, feel, and behave in daily life. It also affects our ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, build relationships, and achieve what we want. In short it helps live life in a better way.

Also, I am not a professional therapist but I feel sharing is caring. So here I’m sharing my knowledge, struggle and experiences. Hope you will find this helpful.

References:

Noonday Demon

The loss os sadness

Manufacturing Depression: The secret history of a modern disease

https://www.vandrevalafoundation.com