Author: Daryl Jordan

Depression disorder differs from any sadness that comes from disappointment or sorrow. The word ‘disorder’ means an abnormal physical or mental condition.  A person suffering from depression tends to have a more extended state of sadness than usual. The individual’s brain chemistry is complicated, and he suffers from sleep disturbances or trouble sleeping, use of recreational drugs, alcohol abuse, physical illness, and loss of interest or pleasure.

In some instances, a person experiencing depression can also suffer from weight loss, eating disorders, low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, negative personality traits, and recurrent thoughts that are negative.

Major depression illness is when it comes to a point where this mental health condition disrupts normal daily activities because of its symptoms, such as the inability to focus, insomnia, lack of appetite, and complete loss of interest in anything. Some of these specific conditions are bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, and other psychological factors.

According to a national institute expert, someone in a depressed mood feels that everything seems terrible and irritating.

What Causes Depressive Disorder?

Things about depression:

It can come from different causes, such as chemical imbalances in the brain chemicals and even genetics or family history. However, diagnosed depression or mood problem is most often triggered by traumatic events such as personal failure, abuse, and losing a loved one.

“Your risk of depression may be related to a combination of genetic, physical, psychological, and environmental factors,” said Ben Martin, Psy.D.

Just because someone is suffering from this condition doesn’t mean they are weak or unwilling to solve their issues. The illness in their mental state causes severe overall dysfunction that somehow makes them troubled and unready to face particular problems in life events.

They have this feeling of emptiness and sorrow that they cannot quickly overcome, making them vulnerable to their environment’s negativity. If you want to know more information about this issue, visit BetterHelp.com.

What Are The Symptoms of This Illness?

Many of you may probably think about yourself if perhaps you fall into this kind of illness, too. The symptoms of depression condition are similar to an ordinary emotional and mental experience. However, there are alarming symptoms of depression that can somehow identify these mental problems.

Symptoms And Alarming Signs That Identifies A Depressive Condition

• The prolonged feelings of discouragement, sadness, and despair

• Complete loss of interest in activities or hobbies that you usually like

• Unexplained feelings of restlessness and anxiousness

• Lack of motivation and focus

• Quickly decreased energy and sudden experience of fatigue

• Sudden loss of appetite or indulging in overeating

• Inability to make decisions

• Too many disappointments in oneself

• Inability to sleep (insomnia) or excessive sleeping
• Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

What Can You Do To Assess Your Overall Mental Condition?

You may be at risk of having clinical depression if you have experienced these depressive symptoms almost every day.  In most cases, emotional and physical problems can continue for about weeks up to a month. You will soon have difficulty concentrating and experience weight gain, panic, and other serious illnesses. If that happens, visit the nearest hospital emergency room, look for a professional, and search for an effective follow-up treatment.

However, since most depression symptoms can be classified as normal, you should consider consulting a psychiatrist before diagnosing yourself with this mental illness. After conducting a detailed analysis and disease control, they can offer you a personal opinion.

Mental illnesses are comparable to physical illnesses, such as heart disease, thyroid, and chronic pain problems, and require specific consultation and accurate diagnosis. People who experience depression, especially older adults, should know what’s causing depression so they won’t get caught up with their mood stability problems.

When To Seek Help For Your Condition

Seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist is not a bad thing. Honestly, you shouldn’t be ashamed of it. Those who seek help from mental health professionals for initial treatment are not insane. Contact their local emergency number immediately. They only have complex issues that they can’t somehow resolve because they have no one to confide in.

You must understand that to get help. You must first accept that you need major depressive disorder episode assistance so that recovery can benefit your emotional and mental health. Seek treatment options immediately to understand your medical condition better and prevent depression.

According to Jerrold Pollak, Ph.D., “It can be difficult to reliably identify clients who have a medical (nonpsychiatric) contribution to their mental health complaints/symptoms because primary psychiatric problems and medical conditions can co-occur and sometimes involve overlapping symptomatology.”

Proper Guidance And Counseling

Proper guidance and counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy from people willing to support them can change everything. It will be their helping hand to work on the things they are struggling with so they can return to their regular lives despite dealing with mental problems.

“Long-term, combined treatment (psychotherapy and medication management) is typically recommended for people with co-occurring anxiety and depression.” Katie Hurley, LCSW, says

As for the treatment, first, learn more about the psychotic depression risk factors of mental health conditions.

Learn more about the condition from the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which provides comprehensive information on various mental health disorders and their side effects. Understand the statistical manual of mental problems. Learn about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, antidepressants, and other medications.

If a persistent feeling of this illness symptoms occurs, and you want to know where to find a mental health professional to help, try searching on this Facebook page. It would also help to call the crisis lifeline or suicide hotline for immediate assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Depressive Condition?

A depressive condition, often called depression, is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being.

What Are The 3 Main Symptoms Of Mental Breakdown?

The three main symptoms of a mental breakdown include severe emotional distress, an inability to function daily, and a loss of touch with reality or one’s sense of self.

What Are Its 7 Forms?

Mental breakdowns can manifest in various forms, including severe anxiety or panic attacks, dissociative episodes, psychotic episodes, mood disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What Is Its Most Common Form?

The most common form of mental breakdown often involves severe anxiety or panic attacks, where individuals experience overwhelming fear, physical symptoms, and a sense of impending doom.

Who Is Most Likely To Suffer From A Condition Called Major Depression?

Major depression can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and genders. However, it is more common in individuals who have a family history of depression, have experienced trauma or significant life stressors, or have certain biological factors that contribute to the condition.

What Are The 5 Levels Of Mental Breakdown?

There isn’t a standardized classification of mental breakdowns into specific levels. Mental health conditions vary widely in their severity and presentation, and they are typically diagnosed and treated based on individual symptoms and their impact on a person’s life.

What Is The Final Stage Of Mental Breakdown?

The concept of a “final stage” of a mental breakdown is not widely recognized in the field of mental health. Mental health conditions are complex and can have varying outcomes, with treatment and support playing a crucial role in recovery.

What Is The Largest Cause Of Mental Breakdown?

The causes of mental breakdowns are multifaceted and can be attributed to genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Common triggers include chronic stress, trauma, substance abuse, and untreated mental health conditions.

What Is The Number One Cause For Mental Breakdown?

There isn’t a single “number one cause” for mental breakdowns resulting from a combination of factors. However, chronic stress, unresolved trauma, and untreated mental health conditions are often significant contributors.

Is Mental Breakdown Genetic Or Learned?

Mental breakdowns can have a genetic component, as some individuals may be predisposed to certain mental health conditions. However, environmental factors and life experiences also play a crucial role in developing these conditions.

Is Mental Breakdown The Same As Depression?

Mental breakdown and depression are related but not the same. A mental breakdown can encompass various mental health issues, including depression. Depression is a persistent low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities.

Is Major Depression Permanent?

Major depression is typically not permanent. With proper treatment, which may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and support, many individuals can experience significant improvement in their depressive symptoms and go on to lead fulfilling lives. In some cases, more intensive treatments like electroconvulsive therapy ECT may also be considered for severe or treatment-resistant depression.

Do You Ever Go Back To Normal After Mental Breakdown?

Recovery after a mental breakdown is possible. With appropriate treatment and support, individuals can regain their mental and emotional well-being, although their “normal” may differ from before the breakdown.

Can People With Mental Breakdowns Live Long?

People with mental breakdowns can live long, fulfilling lives with the right treatment and support. Mental health conditions are manageable, and recovery is possible for many individuals.

What Happens If Mental Breakdown Is Not Treated?

If a mental breakdown is not treated, it can lead to worsening symptoms, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Seeking timely help and support is crucial for managing mental health challenges.

 

 

 

Depression is too complicated to handle even for adults who primarily have their lives already figured out. Some regress from the society, ridden with shame for having the mental disorder. Others feel lured to end everything before their loved ones can move to help them. If these are the illness’ influences on grownups, how will a mere child be able to overcome it?

Unfortunately, the latter isn’t a theoretical question. The number of kids who acquire this disease keeps on increasing, to the extent that even a seven-year-old angel may already be in a depressive state. And as undiscriminating as it is, the children within a loving family aren’t entirely safe from the disorder.

“Depression is a serious medical condition that can negatively affect a child’s ability to connect with friends and family, enjoy normal daily activities, attend school and concentrate while there, and enjoy childhood.” Says Katie Hurley, LCSW.

If you detect signs of depression in your offspring, don’t let weeks pass before taking the kid to a health professional for a psychological assessment. Should the diagnosis confirm your assumption, though, avoid opting for antidepressants as much as possible. There’s no cure aimed at this illness at the time of writing this article, and the drugs have side effects anyone can live without. You may ask for a suitable therapy for your child in place of that, which doctors recommend too.

But then again, the best decision is to try to help your kid overcome depression even if the psychiatrist or licensed therapist isn’t available. Continue reading to know-how.

 

 

1. Talk About Everything With Them

The #1 cause of depression in most children is their inability to voice out their thoughts, especially in front of the parents. Many don’t want to burden people with their issues, while the rest aren’t used to sharing deep emotions with family members as they probably didn’t grow up seeing that happen in their household.

Either way, as the parent, you should be the first one to open the communication lines within your brood. Don’t be afraid of asking questions about their day, the classes they attend, and other extracurricular activities. Answer the queries they throw at you too – that’s an indication that they’re becoming comfortable to chat with you.

Once you no longer have problems in that department, you may then inquire regarding the depression and the suicidal thoughts they might have. That will let you fully grasp your child’s situation and be able to help them deal with it. “Some moodiness, anxiety, and social and school difficulties are expected as kids grow up,” says psychologist Kristen Eastman, PsyD. “I call them bumps in the road.”

 

 

2. Make Them Feel Safe

The mental disease can root from bullying and peer pressure too. When a kid experiences maltreatment from other students at the school, he or she can shut up like a clam. It can also occur if they are active on social media and some online users start ridiculing their photos. “Childhood psychological abuse is the most challenging and prevalent form of child abuse and neglect but also the most difficult to define. While physical and sexual abuse are obvious and easily named as such, psychological and emotional abuse can just as often be about the absence of something rather than the presence of certain behaviours or treatment,” says Krasi Kirova, registered psychologist.

To improve matters for them, focus on getting down to the bottom of their issues. If it’s indeed school-related, visit the principal’s office or have a conversation with the bullies’ parents so that they can reprimand them for their rude behavior. If it’s the people on the internet, encourage them to do physical activities instead of being online all the time. Assure them as well that what those individuals said don’t matter as long as they know their value as a person.

 

3. Learn Coping Mechanisms Yourself

Finally, spend time on understanding depression and the ways to handle it. There are a lot of articles and books dedicated to a mental disorder; you can speak with professionals anytime too. When you’re knowledgeable about the illness, it won’t be much difficult for you to guide your child away from depression.

 

 

 

Becoming a new parent is both a blessing and a bane to people. The infant brings happiness to the family and makes their bond tighter than ever, yes. But having a baby to take care of for the first time can also cause anxiety to parents or, worse, depression.

If you noticed, we didn’t say that the mental disorder only affects the mothers, which is the typical occurrence. The reason is that dads can have depression as well, and that’s not unusual. Men experience a lot of stress as the head of a family; that’s why they may feel down sometimes. “New fathers also face challenges and changes in the relationship with their partner that few fully anticipate. Suddenly the need to argue, negotiate, and resolve conflicts about parenting takes center stage in their relationship.” says Chuck Schaeffer Ph.D.

However, as expected, various problems come with it.

 

1. The Father Can’t Fulfill Fatherly Duties

When the depression is on, the person tends not want to do anything aside from moping and overthinking. The wife, therefore, will need to pick up the slack and power through the day to watch over the newborn, finish chores around the house, and perhaps get her real work done.

 

 

2. You May Turn To Alcohol And Drugs

The thing about extreme sadness is it may make you think that drinking alcohol or using drugs can improve your mood. For sure, the substances can do that as they’re still in effect. Once that wears off, though, it leaves you with emptiness and the desire to abuse more chemicals, which turns you into a massive threat to your loved ones. According to Sheehan Fisher, PhD “There’s research on the concept of ‘masculine depression’ that suggests men may report and engage in externalizing behaviors, such as aggression, hypersexuality, and substance use [like with alcohol] in response to depression.”

 

3. Shutting Out Your Spouse Or Kid Is Possible

Your affection toward the family members can’t come through because of the depressive disorder. In some instances, the patient can grow apart from his wife and children because the former may often push the latter away. Thus, an irreparable rift may develop between them.

 

4. The Child Can Develop Behavioral Issues

A father’s love is so essential to a kid, especially when they always see their friends’ dads actively looking after their children. Several artists sang about it too and how sad it was for them not to have a reliable patriarch to guide them while growing up.

More than blues, though, the problems in a child’s behavior later in life may be the result of the depression that their biological father experiences. After all, the ideal way of looking after a kid is that everything should seem exciting so that they’ll want to try new things. If the parent shows lack of interest in their offspring’s activities and won’t even come out to play with them, it can impact the child’s way of thinking harshly.

It’s possible for the little one to act up and throw tantrums, assuming that’s how they can get the depressed dad’s attention. Other times, they may feel secluded and won’t speak to anyone. Worse, the kid may acquire depression as well, just like his or her father.

 

 

“Depression affects how fathers interact with their children. They may be more irritable, they may be more withdrawn. That might affect children’s understanding of emotions and how they learn to regulate their own emotions,” says Psychiatrist Paul Ramchandani.

Depression is as incurable as other mental diseases, but it surely is treatable. There are alternative treatments that licensed therapists can recommend particularly to patients who wish to stay away from anti-depressants. Look into them if you want to become the dad – or the husband – that your family deserves to have.

Good luck!

 

 

 

When you’re single, coming on top of your group seems to be the most important. You need to answer to no one but yourself; that’s why it’s effortless to work hard towards your objectives.

Once you marry the love of your life, though, everything changes. All the I’s turn into we’s. Your joy and pain become theirs, and vice versa. There’s nothing to worry about if you’re both mentally healthy, but if your spouse has depression, then the situation turns a whole lot challenging. “Depression varies tremendously in severity, but it has many behavioral impacts that can profoundly affect all significant relationships,” said Dr. Jay Baer, a psychiatrist.

In case it’s the first time that this dilemma hits you as a couple, don’t fret. You can help your husband/wife overcome the psychological disorder. “Many symptoms of depression can be poorly understood, particularly irritability or apathy, which partners can mistakenly label as ‘being crabby’ or ‘lazy,’” says  Melissa Frey, LCSW.

Below are the things you can do.

 

1. Interpret Unmistakably

The initial step towards healing is to broaden your mind. Considering you’re the only person your spouse talks to the most, they will inevitably do stuff that will test your patience. Some statements that come out of their mouth may hurt you as well. But the truth is, they don’t mean any of it.

More often than not, the unpleased behavior roots from the patient’s desire to shield you from the illness. Depressed folks push their loved ones away so that the latter won’t go through the extreme negativities they’re feeling. In case you want to assist your better half, therefore, believe the opposite of their adverse actions.

 

 

2. Help Gently

Though there may be different techniques to offer assistance to your depressed significant other, yelling at them or belittling their condition will make matters worse. The first impression that will cross their mind after hearing you do that is, “Even my love does not understand me.” Rather than voicing out the root of the issues in front of you at that point, they may prefer to open up to a friend or stranger.

To prevent that from happening, you should tread the waters in the beginning. You can’t merely sign your husband/wife up to an assessment or therapy without their consent. Give them the opportunity instead to decide how to deal with it and offer your support in any way possible.

 

3. Plan Smartly

In reality, depression can quiet down sometimes and enable your spouse to function normally. During these occasions, you need to speak to him or her about what you can do to cheer them up once the disorder wreaks havoc in their head again.

You may discuss triggers – that’s perfectly alright. It’s also not wrong to ask whether they’ll be willing to exercise on those gloomy days or stay indoors. Don’t be afraid to converse regarding the depression when they’re “sober” because that’s one way to help them feel better.

Other than that “You might feel like the best way to be helpful is to find the best available treatment in your area, find support groups, or talk to other people battling depression to find out what “works,” but often the best thing you can do for your partner is simply show up.” Says Katie Hurley, LCSW.

 

4. Love Unconditionally

When your significant other experiences depression, do your best to show how much you love him or her. A lot of miracles took place with such an intense emotion at the core of everything, so you can bet that it can heal your partner too. While it may not occur at once, not giving up on this person may increase his or her chances of overcoming the mental disease.

 

 

That sums up all the things you can do if your spouse has depression. You can forget the order, but your better half’s condition – and your marriage – may improve once you follow the tips above.

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Hearing parents say that they want the best for their children feels reassuring. It implies that they care for the youngsters’ future and that they will support them in any way possible. It is also a sign that they will do anything for their sons and daughters to make sure that they have an excellent life that others will envy. So, they work day and night as soon as the baby comes to the world and prepare for their future. “If you’re trying to figure out if a teen is depressed, the thing to look for is a change of behavior or mood,” says Lori Hilt, PhD.

The problem with such words starts to arise when the child goes to school. Even from their first day in kindergarten, the mom or dad may say, “You should show your classmates and teachers that you are the best. I will give you a prize if you get a lot of stamps.” In a youngster’s mind, they connect a good deed to a reward, so they may try to do what they’ve been told.

The more the kids’ grade levels move up, though, the more the parents’ expectations grow. When I was still in middle school, I had a classmate named Jason, who’s used to being on top of the class every year. He graduated from elementary school as a valedictorian, from what I heard. He managed to do the same thing during our 7th grade as well. Unfortunately, when 8th grade came, Jason lost to another classmate CJ, whose grades were not even close to his in the past. It made Jason’s parents frustrated, so they pushed him to do better by comparing him to CJ. The result was that his mind snapped at some point, and Jason got so depressed that he needed to take some time off school for treatment.

There’s no doubt about the love that you have for your children. So, if you want to prevent them from getting depression like my former classmate, you should know the following:

Celebrate Achievements, Big Or Small

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The first thing that you should do is to celebrate your child’s achievements. You should do it whether they have come second in class or they have gotten a Gold medal in track and field. Both of them are great results — something that not all kids will be able to achieve. Recognizing their success will push them to work harder next time.

Stop Having High Expectations

It is not acceptable to set the bar too high for your children as well. That will be all that they will think about, after all, and forget how to be happy. If they fail, therefore, they will take the failure too hard. The result will either be depression or, worse, suicide. Kristen Roye, PsyD talks about suicide which is chilling – “For many people the initial reaction to hearing about suicide is discomfort or fear. Often time, our behavior is to automatically deny that suicide is an issue that affects us personally; or we may simply ignore it and hope the problem goes away on its own. Unfortunately, denial will not solve our problems.”

Give The Kids A Mental Break

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Some overbearing parents force their kids to study in advance even during summer break to “get ahead of everyone else.” Well, don’t be like them. Allow your children’s minds to rest. School vacation is the time for playing, not studying. If you don’t do that, they may lose interest in education overall.

Final Thoughts

Parents need to set their priorities straight. The welfare of your kids should come before any success that may bring to the family. Insisting on the opposite of that may strain your relationship with them later or become the cause of their depression. I am sure that you don’t want either to happen, so kindly follow the ideas mentioned above. “The key to living with depression is ensuring you’re receiving adequate treatment for it (usually most people benefit from both psychotherapy and medication), and that you are an active participant in your treatment plan on a daily basis.” Says John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

Good luck!

 

 

Depression is too big of an obstacle to tackle, irrespective of how cool you think you may be. This mental health condition can naturally force you away from your goals and loved ones. It can also drain your positivity and energy. Hence, winning over it is worth celebrating at any time.

Despite being out of the depressive state for months, however, the disorder can still wound its way into your world. That is if you don’t become attentive to your surroundings and your actions.

So, in hopes of keeping hope alive in your heart and mind, be wary of the things that may push depression back in your life.

 

Stress

Staying under pressure for weeks on end can easily trigger a relapse for anyone with a depressive history. The stressful events may enable your brain to overproduce specific chemicals that you just need in small doses. For that reason, you may experience hormonal imbalance that can lead to another bout with depression.

 

Physical Injury

When you’re seriously hurt physically, there a lot of activities you may not be able to do. That put so much burden on a person, especially if you love your independence and don’t want to rely on others. You’ll have plenty of time to overthink as well, which isn’t favorable when there’s a mental disease you wish to thwart for good. “Minor physical injuries can be managed with little to no disruption in activities of daily living (e.g. working, self-care) and rarely trigger psychological impact or emotional trauma,” says Shawna M. Freshwater, PhD.

 

Irreparable Relationships

A split with your boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, or even a long-time best friend is enough to make you extremely sad. Crying about the matter is only OK for a couple of days. Once you let yourself wallow in misery longer than that, however, it’ll be like welcoming depression with open arms.

 

Distance From Loved Ones

Missing your beloved family members to the point of becoming depressed isn’t impossible. It can occur, especially in case you’re a parent whose child leaves for college or work for the first time. You may feel lost as you sleep and wake up without seeing the face of your loved ones, except the pictures. “Emotional distance can develop from months or years of unresolved conflict and life stressors in your relationship. As time passes and circumstances change, it is not uncommon for couples to express dissatisfaction with the level of emotional connection that they feel with their partner,” says Dr. Melissa Estavillo, PsyD.

 

Criticisms

Bullying can push depression back in your life too. Once you stay on the receiving end of it, it’s effortless to think that everyone wants to judge you and that you have no one on your side. There may be instances as well wherein you feel too weak to go out of the house and face others’ critiques again.

 

 

Death In The Family

Grief is like a magnet for mental disorder as well. You tend to hit rock-bottom if someone close to your heart passes away, and the process to overcome it isn’t – for lack of better term – rainbows and daisies. You may get angry, in denial, and very gloomy. But that’s better than bottling up your emotions and brewing depression.

“You have to enter into a partnership with the grief. This means acknowledging that the transformative process will be hard, that you will most likely have to let even more things in your life go, but that in the end your voice will be clearer and stronger,” as reminded by Jade Wood, MA, LMFT, MHSA to the followers of her blog.

Lack Of Treatment

Assuming you’re not entirely well yet, and you stopped receiving treatment halfway, you may return to a depressive state in an instant. The mental health experts tell you to get therapy or medication for a specified period based on the severity of the depression. When you discontinue it, though, you might say hello to hopelessness soon enough.

 

 

Acknowledge every single factor that may trigger the mental illness relapse. You have to be aware of such matters so that you can prevent depression from messing up your life again.

 

 

 

How did you feel the moment your mental health physician confirmed that you were indeed suffering from depression?

Most likely, you knew even before you got the assessment. It’s quite impossible not to have even the tiniest idea about it because the disease makes your colorful life seem and feel gray. The activities you used to enjoy, e.g., swimming, laughing, and hanging out with friends, drop down the bottom of your priorities too.

Continue reading Various Therapies To Ease Depression Unconventionally