As sad a fact as it might be, depression is just something that a lot of people tend to misunderstand these days. It’s so much more than just having a lack of enthusiasm or positive thinking. Depression is more than just a person’s inability to find happiness and joy in various things in life. It’s a very serious mental health issue that can dramatically affect a person’s quality of life.
Depression is a condition that can seep into the way a person approaches solving everyday tasks and projects. It can ruin a person’s ability to focus and concentrate. And sometimes, it can even affect a person’s overall productivity and performance in various aspects of life. Not to mention the toll that it can have on an individual’s energy levels. Depression is a mental health condition that can prove to be fatal if left ignored.
There are around 300 million people around the world who suffer from depression. That’s around 5% of the global population. It might be a “rare” condition but it still really does have a hold over a vast number of people. And as a result of it being relatively rare, not a lot of people really understand or grasp the severity of having such a disease.
So many people all over the world make the mistake of just brushing off feelings of depression as typical sadness or sorrow. But it’s really a lot more than that. It goes a lot deeper and its effects can be a lot heavier. Depression isn’t something that can be cured with a mere shift in mood. Depression can’t be eliminated with a mere flick of the switch. It can’t be cured by mere laughter.
You can’t just make a person smile and instantly cure them of the depression that they’re going through. That’s because depression is just so much more than just being sad. Depression has a tendency of inducing feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, exhaustion, and so much more. When you take all of these feelings and combine them with heavy doses, then it can really weigh a person down dramatically.
If you happen to suffer from depression and you feel the need to overcome it, then it’s best that you start with trying to understand the roots of what you’re feeling and what you’re going through. With a condition like this, knowledge and awareness is key. You really have to know what it is you’re up against so that you are better equipped to handle the challenges that are coming your way.
Here are a few ways in which depression can make you feel terrible and what you can do to fix it:
1. Fatigue
A lot of people might just assume that depression is purely mental and emotional and that I may not really have any affects on a person’s physical self. But that’s wrong. Depression can often overwhelm a person so drastically to the point that they become compromised on a physical level as well.
In order to manage exhaustion and fatigue better, try making sure that you are sleeping better. And also avoid putting yourself in situations that will cause you severe stress.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety is another silent killer that can arise as a result of depression. It’s a condition that can be made more severe as a result of stress and pressure. This is a very serious mental health condition that can cripple a person into feeling insignificant and lowly.
To try to combat anxiety, you can try and engage in some positive self-talk. Sometimes, it’s all a matter of just trying to convince yourself that things are going to get better and that you’re going to turn out fine.
3. Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the more popular conditions that are associated with depression. At times, the emotional weight that a person feels as a result of depression can dramatically impact that person’s sleeping patterns. And that can be a real problem because sleep is essential for promoting sanity and physical health.
If you want to get better sleep at night, then try waking up earlier during the day and avoid taking naps in the middle of the day as well. Also, having a good exercise routine going can do wonders for promoting good sleep as well.
4. Weight Fluctuations
Depending on how you would react to having this mental illness, you are prone to either overeating or undereating as a result of dealing with depression. And that’s very unhealthy. You should probably already know by now that you need a healthy diet in order for you to promote wellness in your body. But sometimes, depression can really get in the way of that.
To deal with it, it would be best for you to keep a food log or a diet tracker at hand. You want to be taking note of all the food that you’re eating and how much of it you’re actually consuming. This way, you can keep yourself accountable for your dietary choices.
