Do you know the difference between being depressed or just being sad?
Most people don't. However, this matters because perhaps the best way to avoid health complications arising from depression is to deal with it in its early stages.
It is normal to feel sad from time to time. Sadness is a natural reaction to something upsetting which has happened. Depression on the other hand is more extreme. It is more of an emotional or mental illness which has a lot more symptoms than sadness and can, if not treated lead to suicide.
One huge difference between sadness and depression is that a person experiencing feelings which they find disconcerting can reasonably tell you what it is that is causing their unhappiness, however a person suffering from depression may not necessarily be able to do so.
When one is sad, we tend to know that things will get better over time; on the other hand, a person going through depression may not see an end to his or her problem and may consequently think things are or will get worse.
This may lead to a depression that could last for a long length of time. With the negative feelings being so intense and overpowering, depression is oft times something one just can't snap out of, at least not without assistance or taking exact measures to match or overwhelm its hold on a person.
Though it is safe to say anyone going through depression experiences sadness, but not every sad person is necessarily depressed, both emotional hindrances might need to be addressed and catered to the same or very similar ways.
However, since depression is usually more burdensome than just a state of sadness, one needs to be able to distinguish between the two to determine the amount of effort that may need to be done to correct either state of these negative emotions.
In order to be able to attack depression-advisably in its earlier stages-below are its symptoms in no specific order.
1. Irritability and mood swings.
2. Hopelessness and extreme pessimism (a negative outlook on life)
3. Loss of energy, extreme fatigue and tiredness.
4. Loss of interest in hobbies, having a good appearance and even associates and loved ones.
5. Extreme feelings of helplessness and no self worth.
6. Suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)
7. Insomnia (lack of) or excessive sleep.
8. Inexplicable weight loss or gain thereof, triggered by eating disorders.
Though not a conclusive list as characteristics vary by patient, these symptoms of depression listed above are the most common ones.
If you happen to experience any of these symptoms, the first step, in my opinion and based on research will be to look within and ask why this may be occurring. Thoroughly assess your situation to see what it is that could be triggering these symptoms of depression within you. Could it be a failure at something or the loss of something or someone of importance?
If you go over the problem carefully, you would be able to target the cause and consequently solve it. Remember, the mind is the most powerful force on the earth, He who can control it can control all things my friend.
I will also mention that for both sadness (a symptom of depression obviously) and for the emotional disorder-depression-which we have now characterized for the purposes of distinguishing between the two, some steps you can take on your own for help will be engaging in some form of physical activity such as exercise or other hobbies.
This step exercises the motor centers of the brain, making the blood flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently one becomes more receptive to positive thoughts.
In addition to this tip, an observance of nature will show us that when animals are frightened or angered, they abstain from eating until after the passage of some time. Moreover, it is true that under stressful circumstances many civilized people refrain from eating and find in truth that they lack the desire for food, but it is also too often that most of us will eat large meals under these circumstances.
Now, worry, fear, anxiety, excitement, hurry, heated arguments at meals: all prevent the secretion of the digestive enzymes of the body and hinder not only digestion, but the whole nutrition process.
This considered, perhaps the last thing you may want to do while dealing with depression or sadness-be it its causes or symptoms is to eat excessively, I may go as far as to say to even eat at all.
It is also advised that at this crucial stage of emotional encumbrance, try and seek out the company of uplifting friends, relatives and associates. As much as possible, purposely surround yourself with uplifting and positive elements like your favorite DVD comedies, books, sitcoms and things of that nature.
So if you are unsure if you are truly depressed or just sad, take heart, neither of these negative emotions can overpower you-if you take charge and overcome them. It may not always be easy and you may need help, however, the desire to be-little their effects over you will be the first step towards success.
In Friendship.
Posts Tagged ‘Know’
How To Know The Difference Between Depression And Sadness
August 13th, 2010 
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When Someone You Know Deals With Depression
May 28th, 2010 admin What do you do when someone you know has to deal with persistent fears, anxieties, or even depression? Well the first thing you need to do is to get the person to seek the services of a professional who can lead them in the right direction and give them the help they need. In addition, here are some other techniques you can use to help the person cope.
Learn as much as you can in managing anxiety and depression. There are many books and information that will educate you on how to deal with fear and anxiety. Share this information with the person who is struggling. Education is the key in finding the answers your looking for in managing your fears.
Be understanding and patient with the person struggling with their fears. Dealing with depression and anxiety can be difficult for the person so do not add more problems than what is already there.
In every anxiety-related situation you experience, begin to learn what works, what does no t work, and what you need to improve on in managing your fears and anxieties. For instance, you have a lot of anxiety and you decide to take a walk to help you feel better. The next time you feel anxious you can remind yourself that you got through it the last time by taking a walk. This will give you the confidence to manage your anxiety the next time around.
Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or anxious, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you do not get this job promotion does not mean that you will never get one. In addition, people change jobs all the time, and you always have that option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location. Changing your thinking can help you manage your fears.
Another thing to remember is that things change and events do not stay the same. For instance, you may feel overwhelmed today with your anxiety and feel that this is how you will feel the rest of the week or month. This is not correct. No one can predict the future with one hundred percent accuracy. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you cannot predict which can be used to your advantage. You never know when the help and answers you are looking for will come to you.
When your fears and anxieties have the best of you, seek help from a professional. The key is to be patient, take it slow, and not to give up. In time, you will be able to find those resources that will help you with your problems.
Do You Know How To Deal With Stress?
March 20th, 2010 admin Somebody once said, "Stress is what happens when your mind thinks one thing and your mouth thinks another". It is so easy to get into stressful situations just by trying to please people and agreeing to do those things that we don't really want to do.
Too many of us spend our lives dealing with awkward situations and problems, both at home and at work. This leads to too much stress and can sometimes drive one literally over the edge. But before we deal with stress we have to realize that we need a certain amount of stress in our lives in order to function properly.
So the 'trick' is to find a balance between too much stress and too little. You have to realize that a certain amount of stress is good and that we use it to push ourselves and enhance our performance or productivity at exactly the right moment.
It is important to have the right frame of mind when dealing with stress and try and keep away from people who are 'over stressed', it can be infectious. When the world is going mad there are always those who keep their head. Mix with these people and find out how they are in control all the time.
Sometimes it is our own self confidence, or lack of, that causes us anxiety and a good way to combat this is by practicing a few deep breathes. This is something I learned long ago when first starting out on my sales career. Just before I was due to meet a client I would find a quiet corner and breath in for a count of seven and then, slowly, breath out for a count of eleven. Just doing this a few times would lower my racing heartbeat and put me in a more relaxed and confident state.
Another little trick you can use to lower your stress levels and be in control of your life is to control your thoughts. What do I mean by this? Well, most of us are stressed because we are thinking stressful thoughts all the time. So it's simple, change your thoughts and think something else.
It really is that simple, it's not easy to do at first, but every time you think bad or stressful thoughts turn them around and think good positive thoughts. You will be amazed at how this simple technique can lower your anxiety levels and improve the quality of your life.
I hope you found these tips for dealing with stress useful and don't forget if all else fails two or three weeks in the sunshine will work wonders.
Dealing With Stress Do You Know How To Relax?
January 28th, 2010 admin It seems like everyone is trying to learn how to deal with stress. From work hassles, to family problems, to money issues, people's lives are filled with potential stressors. One of the best ways to deal with stress is relaxing. Taking just 10 or 15 minute break away from your hectic life can do your mind and body a world of good.
But, surprisingly, many people don't seem to know how to relax effectively. They know how to take a short break away from the stresses of work, or running after hyperactive kids. But they don't know how to use that break to give them the most benefits.
So, how do you relax the right way? Here are some tips.
Let Go of the Tension: If you have been on your feet all day, sitting down for five or ten minutes can be a huge relief. But if you are sitting in your chair as stiff as a board, and already thinking about having to go back to work in a little bit, you aren't really relaxing.
When you sit down to take your break, forget about the work you will have to get back to once the break is over. Make a conscious effort to let go of the tension. Put your feet up, if you can. Relax those stiff muscles. You can even slouch in your seat if you want to.
A good way to relieve stress is by relaxing your body.
Don't Think: Many people use their breaks to think. They think about all of the things they have to do after work, or once the kids are off to school. Or they think about how they will deal with the problem that came up before their break. Typically, thinking about things like work-related problems or your busy schedule aren't very relaxing.
During your break, try occupying your mind with something that won't add to your stress. Read a romance novel or an entertainment magazine. Or spend the time playing with a stress relief toy.
Rethink Those Errands: The purpose of a break is to give you some time to relax and reenergize, so you can face the rest of the day with renewed energy and pep. However, if you spend your breaks running errands, you aren't giving yourself time to relax or reenergize.
So, before you spend your break running errands, reconsider. Are these things you absolutely have to do during your break, or can you do them at another time?
Learning how to deal with stress is critical. But things can get so hectic, some people feel almost guilty for taking a moment to relax. However, by doing so, you will actually make yourself better able to deal with the stresses of daily life.
And in the last part of our article we will focus on one way to relieve stress:
Slowly Count To Ten: If you can stay relatively calm and in control, stress won't be as much of an issue for you. When something bad or unpleasant happens in your life, don't react immediately. Instead, take a moment and slowly count to ten. As you count, rate the stressor on a scale of 1 to 10.
Your boss yelled at you? On the scale of bad things that can happen on any given day, that's about a two. You lost your keys? That's about a 4. Not an ideal situation, but one you can handle.
Counting to ten gives you time to really evaluate the stressful situation. Once you put things in perspective, you might find it's not worth stressing over.
