How depression feels?

Depression is both a common and serious condition that can result in problematic changes in the ability to function in daily life, negative health impacts, and more. There are several types of depression. Some of the more common depression diagnoses are:

• Major Depressive Disorder or MDD, where depression feelings are present most of the time for most days of every week for a length of time. Symptoms for MDD can include changes in weight, loss of interest in activities, difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, irritation, feeling worthless, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of suicide. If you have been experiencing any suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder or PDD is depression that lasts two years or longer. It may be thought of as either a ‘low grade’ chronic depression or a ‘chronic’ major depression. Symptoms can be similar to those found in MDD and can also include changes in appetite, low self-esteem, trouble making decisions, lack of motivation or energy, and hopelessness.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is major depression that happens seasonally, usually in the winter months. For most people, it lifts in warmer months with more sunlight.
• Postpartum Depression is a major depression that can occur in women during the months after childbirth.

For those with any of these or other depressive disorders, lack of energy and motivation, coupled with poor sleep quality, can make even seemingly simple tasks like getting out of bed in the morning a challenge or even impossible. Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness can be debilitating and lead to social isolation, further underscore these feelings.

If you are struggling with depression, your doctor will likely recommend medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is often treated with a therapeutic light, meant to simulate sunlight and its effects on the brain and body during the shorter and darker months when it is most likely to occur. You may also choose to work strictly with a therapist to address depression of any type. Therapy can help you identify thoughts that contribute to the cycle of depressive feelings and behaviors and help you replace them with helpful thoughts and behaviors. It also provides you with a safe place to discuss your feelings, events in your life, and anything else.

Depression can feel like a debilitating heavyweight at times. With accurate diagnosis and treatment, depression can ease, become manageable, or dissipate entirely.