What Is Depression?

I wish I could say that I know about depression from a book but that would not be accurate. I really learned about depression from experience. It feels good to be able to write about it now from a place of deep knowing. First of all let’s talk about what depression feels like. Depression is the lowest of all emotions. It is a powerless feeling that resembles despair, grief, hopelessness, sadness. It is a suffocating feeling, like you can hardly breathe. When one feels so far from this state there is a constant sense of inner discord because we know that something is amiss. Something is not right. Just think of someone walking down the street dragging them and looking listless. This is the face of depression. It is a state of having little energy.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health "Depression is a serious medical illness and it is not something made up in your head". Depression is a whole body illness, involving body, mood and thoughts. Depression is very common; almost anyone can develop the illness at any time. As a matter of fact, one in five people will most likely experience an episode of depression at some point in their lives and people who have suffered one episode are more vulnerable to experience another episode in the future.

To understand the idea of what is depression, a person must really understand what makes a depressive disorder. According to the American Medical Association, depression is a true illness. It can affect the body, mood, and thoughts. People can become physically ill from the affects of depression on the body. They can also have distorted thoughts that can sometimes even lead to a loss of life. Anxiety and depression that a person feels are real and not a sign of weakness. Dealing with depression is not an easy task, and contrary to popular belief, depression cannot be willed or wished away, just as cancer and other ailments cannot be wished away.

Another thing to keep in mind when understanding the idea of what is depression is that the majority of people who are ill with a depressive disorder do not seek treatment. Depression and anxiety both have a stereotype in today's society that keeps individuals from seeking treatment. The wonderful thing to know when understanding what is depression is that even the most severe cases can usually be helped. Various medications and psychosocial therapies are available now to help people help when dealing with depression.

Depression always springs from internal belief, not from anything external. A depressed person gradually makes a strong internal belief that he is powerless or not able to solve his problems or change his conditions whatever. It affects your thinking, feeling, behavior and even the physical health. A depressed person experiences poor concentration, short term memory or forgetfulness. Low self esteem, guilt, negative thinking etc. are common characteristics of depression. A serious depression can generate self destructive thoughts.

Depression reflects in the form of negative emotions and behavior. It makes a drastic change in appetite and sleep. A depressed individual enjoys living alone. Sexual desire disappears completely. In the extreme cases people start neglecting their personal appearance and even hygiene. Depression also affects capability and physical strength. Even getting out of bed in the morning becomes a struggle. These negative emotional feelings are combined with negative physical emotions. Fatigue and drowsiness are very common. Depression disturbs sleep-wake cycle in two ways -some people don't sleep soundly. They rise in the early morning or awaken a lot of times during the night. Others sleep a lot but still feel tired. Head ache, gastrological disorder, muscle pain, loss of appetite is very common in depression. Some people stop enjoying their favorite activities and feel unable to control their temper. Thus, feeling of hopelessness becomes very prominent.

A person must realize that everyone involved with the person diagnosed is affected. Depression can tear a family to shreds. If a person is a parent and has been diagnosed with depression, children feel the affects more than anyone. When one has a depressive disorder they do not feel like doing what they normally would enjoy. Playing with the kids may be out of the question. Postpartum depression can also keep a new mother from bonding with her baby completely. Depression affects millions of people globally so another thing to realize is that if they have friends or family then they are also affected by this horrendous disease.

Most people who are depressed have just had enough of trying to get anywhere in life, but what they do not realize is that if they do not give up, no matter what, a clear path will be revealed in their lives. It is simply a matter of spiritual and mental strengthening as stated before, and that is to strengthen your mind enough to always know the truth and to always think positive to always be able to create and attract what you want in life.