How to Get Through Depression with Ease

Teenagers usually get a form of depression at some stage as they feel like they don't fit in or don't belong in a certain group. The pressure can be difficult and it does take a toll on you if you let it.

For adults who have depression, there is also a way to help you find your way out, whether it is a bad relationship, divorce, loss of job or family, you do have a way to find yourself in a happy place again.

Everyone feels sad or has the blues at some stage in their lives and this is normal but when it seems to consume your everyday and you find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning or take a look around and find some good, then you might be suffering from depression.

Depression makes it very hard for you to function properly in your everyday life and it feels like you are living in a dark place where nobody can understand what you are going through.

To recognise the signs of depression you need to read the signs;

You can't sleep or you sleep too much

Lack of concentration and effort to be able to finish a task that was easy to do recently

You feel hopeless, alone and helpless

Loss of appetite or too much of an appetite

Negative thoughts surround you no matter how much you try to escape it

Irritable, short tempered or aggressive

Consuming more alcohol than usual or engaging in reckless or dangerous behaviour

IF YOU HAVE THOUGHTS THAT LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING THEN YOU NEED TO SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY.

You need to understand and realise that depression is not a sign of weakness or a failure in masculinity. It is treatable and it can happen to anyone, not just women or children but to men too.

If it is not treated it can lead to heart disease or other serious medical problems and for many men it can be ignored as they cannot talk about their feelings and get to the bottom of the problem as easy as women can.

Everyone goes through ups and downs, good and bad days but depression is something that can get worse and get you having more downs then ups if it is not taken care of immediately. This can also lead to thoughts of suicide if left alone and not taken care of.

Becoming sad and withdrawn, losing interest in everything including friends and partners as well as becoming irritable, aggressive, compulsive in work situations, drinking more and perhaps even wanting to experience dangerous things; are signs of depression.

Back aches, frequent headaches, sleep problems and a lowered sex drive might be a few of the symptoms that cannot be treated with medication. Bad digestion can also be a sign or symptom of depression too.

Anger can be a problem in a depressed man as this could lead to him being aggressive, sensitive to criticism, abusive in a relationship with his wife or children as well as becoming controlling.

Compulsive gambling, driving too fast or recklessly, having intercourse without safety and doing dangerous stunts can also be a sign of depression in men.

Men do not really recognise the signs and continue on in life as though nothing is wrong but it is recognisable by family members especially, spouses or parents.

Men tend to blame others for their issues and create conflicts as well as become guarded and tend to use alcohol, sex and television to cure themselves but unfortunately this is not a cure and depression needs to be noted and worked on before it takes a toll on family and before it gets worse.

Men can get depression in the same way that women can and this could be triggered by a number of things or events;

Stress at work or home

Relationship problems

Losing a job or losing money as well as financial problems

Health problems or chronic medication

Death of a loved one

Quitting smoking

Retirement and loss of independence

A lost libido can also be a cause

Women often find it difficult to speak to a spouse about their problems as they might have half an ear which makes them feel unappreciated and undervalued, making things worse.

Luckily, women can open up and talk about what is bothering them which is half the battle won as you need to be able to communicate your problems or issues to help cure depression.

Restlessness, loss of interest in anything including bedroom activities can be signs of depression but there are also other signs that are common and they can be worked through as long as you get help. Women are more likely to become manic if depression is ignored.

Signs of depression in women;

Feelings of guilt, helplessness, hopelessness and negativity

Decreased energy and wanting to sleep or a lack of sleep

Weight loss or weight gain

Irritability or wanting to cry all the time

Difficulty making decisions, remembering or concentrating

Head aches, chronic pain and digestive problems that cannot be sorted out with medication

Causes for depression in Women;

Pre menstrual syndrome, miscarriage, menopause and relationship issues can trigger depression. Women, like men cannot cope with stress whether it be financial or other and if bottled up can lead to other issues.

A history of depression in the family can trigger it as well as trying to handle too much;

Kids, work and home life can be a cause.

Physical or mental abuse in a relationship

Death of a family member before the age of 10

Loss of social support

Medications

When you are depressed it feels like nobody can understand you and you are completely alone in the world but you are not alone and everyone, including your parents have been teenagers and understand what it is like to be a teenager even if it was years ago.

Even though you feel as though you will never get out of this, you will as you are not alone and there are many teenagers your age that are going through the same thing that you are. Getting help is not far away and you can be happy and you can feel normal.

There are signs of depression;

Everything makes you cry

You feel irritable, angry or sad

No point in trying to do anything

Feel worthless, bad about yourself or guilty

Sleep too much or too little

Frequent head aches and pain

Weight loss or weight gain

Lack of concentration, helplessness and hopelessness

Thoughts of suicide (contact help immediately)

Postpartum depression is a form of clinical depression and it usually affects women after they have given birth. Not everyone is affected by this but when it does happen it can be devastating to your spouse, family and new born baby.

The "baby blues" can be an emotional time filled with mood swings and crying spells that can end quickly but for some moms depression forms after giving birth and it is just a complication of pregnancy, not a weakness or a bad gene, it can happen to anyone and it can be sorted out with help.

Quick treatment can help you manage your baby with ease and get you back onto the road of recovery so that you can enjoy your new born baby.

There are signs of depression;

Insomnia

Loss of appetite

Anger and irritability

Loss of interest in sex

Lack of joy in life and with your new adventure

Guilty feelings or inadequacy

Severe mood swings

Unable to bond with your baby

Withdrawal from family and friends

Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Confusion

Disorientation

Hallucinations and delusions

Paranoia

Should you feel like the baby blues are not going away after a week or two then you need to urgently consult a doctor to get some help.

Retirement, death of a loved one or friends and family that have passed can make living as an older person a little less exciting and overwhelming. Medical problems and increased isolation can also lead to depression.

Not only does it effect your moods but your sleep pattern, energy, appetite and physical health.

Depression does not happen to everyone and the good news is that it can be cured and worked through before it gets too far in.

There are signs to look for;

Sadness

Fatigue

Lack of interest or abandoning hobbies and interests

Social withdrawal and isolation

Loss of appetite

Oversleeping or lack of sleep

Feeling as though you are a burden or feeling worthless

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Thoughts of death and suicide (contact a doctor immediately)

Firstly going to a doctor to be diagnosed is a must and you cannot self diagnose or self medicate.

Treatment is available to everyone and you do not have to be stuck on anti depressants for the rest of your life but it will help you get back on your feet.

In many ways depression comes from situations that we have been in, whether it is loss, financial, life or events you can manage it and make yourself better.

Stress is a big cause of depression and the sooner you can manage your life in a different way the better for you.

Exercise is a great way to get the same release in hormones that anti depressants would give you and it can be done every day or three times a week. Find the exercise that will benefit you and one that you will enjoy the most. It doesn't have to be a hectic and strict routine but something that you will enjoy getting up for.

Open your curtains and kiss the sunlight each morning by finding at least one positive thing to say or think in the day.

Eat right by having a balance in your diet; Salmon is good for Omega 3, Spinach and green leafy vegetables are healthy for you both in mind and body, beans, flaxseeds and the berry family, basically any "erry" is a good one.

Get enough sleep and if you cannot sleep then get some "white noise" music on the internet or learn to meditate before you get into bed.

Have a notebook next to your bed and write in all your worries and troubles before you put your head on the pillow, close the book and be done with the problem until tomorrow.

Try to change your life by fixing what is wrong with it. If you have marital problems, get the help you need with counselling if you cannot communicate with your partner.

Financial problems take longer to solve but they do get solved and you need to find the best solution for you and your family even if you get some debt counselling, take the load off of yourself and get help where you can.