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Depression Awareness

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The more you know, the more you can do to overcome depression.

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Depressive illnesses take many forms, and their many symptoms combine differently in each woman. That’s why it’s important to become an expert on your mental disorder and how it impacts your life. The more you learn to recognize your specific symptoms, the better you will be able to prevent them from spiraling into more serious episodes when they occur. The more attuned you become to how you personally respond to depression and treatment the more successful you will be in making self care strategies work for you and the more active role you can play charting the best course to feeling and functioning better.

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WAKE  UP CALL...​WAKE  UP CALL...

COMMON CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

 

 

1. Chronic Stress & Lifestyle 
Long-term physical or emotional stress may be the number one cause of depressed and anxious moods.  It is also the least likely to be diagnosed and effectively treated. Chronic stress leads to adrenal exhaustion and other biochemical imbalances, affecting everything from mood to sleep, energy and memory. 

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2. Painful life events & unresolved emotional trauma
Situational depression is a term used by mental health professionals to describe depressed mood resulting from a traumatic or disappointing life event. Unresolved emotional stress from childhood can also trigger depressed moods at any stage of life. 

                                                                                       
3. Fluctuating Hormones 
Hormonal fluctuations prior to menstruation, after childbirth and before and during menopause can play havoc with the emotions, especially in women whose brain cells are more genetically sensitive to those changes. .
4. Self-defeating mental pattterns or emotional attitudes 
Patterns of negative and pessimistic thinking or negative emotional attitudes such as anger or bitterness can cause depressed, anxious and angry moods. 


5. Lack of vision and life purpose 
We all need a dream -- a vision of purpose to achieve something of significance. Otherwise, we will feel empty, sad and frustrated.

 

Most people with situational depression do not require medication. Yet most are prescribed one. Medication does not help situational depression and can worsen symptoms in the long term. This may explain why many people complain that their medication "doesn't work" or makes them feel "emotionally numb." In situational depression, brain function is normal. That's the good news.

The bad news is that chemical imbalances can develop over time if you don't address the stressor. Usually those imbalances are minor, easily remedied without medication. In some cases, severe stress that remains unresolved for a long period of time can create moderate chemical imbalances that may benefit from a temporary course of medication in conjunction with other therapies.

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Key Type Symptoms

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 Depression

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  • You feel a deep sadness and perhaps find yourself crying a lot.

  • You struggle to feel motivated or interested in your life.

  • You are often lonely or miserable, even if you are able to put on a happy front to the world around you.

  • You sometimes feel you can’t go on, perhaps you have even had thoughts of suicide, or physically harmed yourself.

  • Experiences in your past still bring up painful memories or difficult feelings.

  • You have difficulty sleeping, or sleep too much.

  • You feel like ‘something’s missing’ or have a feeling of longing or emptiness inside.

  • You struggle with feelings that you are not good enough.

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​WAKE  UP CALL...​WAKE  UP CALL...

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Are You At Risk of Being Affected By Depression?

You can do something about it. 

 

 DO THE TESTS

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If you are experiencing extreme hopelessness and despair, you could be clinically depressed. Contact your doctor for help and a thorough diagnosis.

 

 DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

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WAKE  UP CALL...​WAKE  UP CALL...

Key Type Symptoms

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Anxiety

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  • You experience signs of panic (racing heart, breathlessness, fearfulness).

  • You avoid social situations, or feel stressed about leaving the house.

  • You’re often on ‘high alert’ or feel like you’re ‘walking on eggshells’, or feel restless or tense.

  • You have bouts of irritability or anger

  • You engage in controlling behaviors towards others

  • Self doubt or losses of confidence sometimes paralyze you,.

  • You have trouble saying ‘no’ or setting boundaries with others.

  • You have the same thoughts over and over that you can’t seem to control.

  • You have frequent nightmares or intrusive memories.

  • You overuse alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, or other things to de-stress, to feel calmer, or to simply feel ‘normal’.

 

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