DEPRESSION vs. depression

Everyone feels depressed at times….. here is how you can tell if it is something more

 Feeling sad has become such a common emotion in society that the saying “feeling down in the dumps” takes too much effort to verbalize; we’ve invented new ways to express our despondency. “Eh,” “meh,” “blah,” we might say to someone upon being asked how we’re doing.  These new terms, in accordance to the lack of energy we have from experiencing sadness, are barely four letters long. Everybody experiences days, weeks, and perhaps an entire month where they praise these small words for expressing to the universe in a quick and easy way just how terrible they feel. Though feeling sad isn’t desirable, we can also feel pleasure, love, and excitement. Usually, these feelings are completely normal and a part of what makes us human beings, and not fish.

Sometimes we feel upset for reasons that are difficult to define.  Many factors influence mood. For example, hormonal changes, poor diet, lack of sleep or even not enough sunlight.   Other times, the cause of feeling upset is easily recognizable; failing a test, getting fired, getting dumped, death of a loved one or simply having free time and not having anyone around to spend it with. Regardless of circumstances, conditions, or what’s going on in your life, once in a while everybody just has a bad day.Feeling restless, low on energy or simply feeling lousy for a period of time is normal.  What you need to recognize is that these emotions are normal, and should fade within a few days.

If you have just gone through a tragedy, or a break-up of a long term relationship, the depressive symptoms will take awhile to decrease.  The negative feelings will get weaker as time goes by; the situation will become easier to deal with. It’s important to note that the common factor about all kinds of sadness is that it gets better. Of course you will go through difficult times, but you will find that eventually you can still have good moments that make you smile, and even laugh. You will be able enjoy life once more, and eventually feel alright again.

 Recognizing Clinical Depression 

Clinical depression is much different from the feelings just explained above. When you’re experiencing depression, the expression “snap out of it” doesn’t apply to you, in the same way you can’t shake off an illness in a day. Because that’s just want depression is- an illness. However, it does not have to be chronic and is most certainly treatable!  Mild depression can be cured often times through counseling, or “talk therapy.”  Individuals with more serious cases of depression often experience noticeable improvement and relief or symptoms by working with a mental health therapist to develop a regime of therapy and possibly medication (prescribed by your general practitioner or psychiatrist). There is plenty of help to be had, and depression is not something you have to live with. Unfortunately, it is also common for someone with clinical depression to never seek help. They might feel embarrassed to ask for help, or may think they can handle their negative emotions on their own. If they could just ignore the depression, then maybe it will go away.  The person frequently rationalizes their depression as “it’s just a down in the dumps” period. As opposed to a real issue that needs management.   Being unable to recognize depression as a real medical problem can have devastating results for the person, and if left untreated can sometimes end in suicide.

Below are areas that illustrate the differences between feeling down and having Depression with a Capital D. Through recognition, you can take the appropriate action and make certain the problem gets the right kind of attention.

People who have depression often experience on-going changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or needing more sleep than normal.  Similarly, they may experience changes in appetite, an inability to concentrate or focus.   Frequently the person will feel apathetic towards activities that they normally would have enjoyed, along with developing an overall feeling of worthlessness.  Individuals struggling with depression usually have a difficult time concentrating and staying focused, which results in difficulties  following conversations and making decisions. While you might find one or two of these symptoms in someone who is experiencing severe grief or loss, demonstrating all of these symptoms is a sign that the individual is experiencing clinical depression.  If the person is experiencing clinical depression, immediate attention is needed.

Duration

Even in the most tragic circumstances, the most acute sadness usually passes within a month or two. Untreated episodes of depression can last for months, sometimes over a year.  Additionally, people who suffer from clinical depression may have periodic episodes.

Severity

To individuals with depression, the disease can be crippling.  Depression can, negatively impact every aspect of the person’s daily life, inhibiting them from experiencing life fully.  Depression can cause life itself to feel like a struggle. People who are experiencing clinical depression may struggle each morning to get out of bed – never mind what happens next! 

Consistency

Individuals experiencing regular depression may relate to some of the above symptoms, but the difference is that these bad feelings do not last as long, and tend to be related to real issues.  People who are experiencing clinical depression may not experience relief from the passage of time.  

Lack of Pleasure

Even during sadness, people can experience moments of happiness. However, people suffering from clinical depression are less able or even incapable of experiencing pleasure, even while doing an activity that would have once given them extreme enjoyment. This apathetic attitude causes isolation from family and friends.

There is usually a trigger to sadness, such as an even in an individual’s life, or even a perceived condition they feel they are struggling with. However, as is often displayed in the media, even the most wealthy, seemingly happy individuals can experience depression. While people who are susceptible to depression because of genetics may have a depressive episode triggered by a negative event, depressive episode can also start for seemingly no reason at all.

Dealing with Clinical Depression

It’s important to remember that Clinical Depression is an illness, and isn’t simply a rut that one can easily recover from. If you believe you or someone you know is suffering from this illness, seek professional help immediately. Let your friend in need know that you are there for them, to support them and that they do not need to suffer. Seek professional help. Everyone experiences sadness sometimes, but clicnical depression is more than a phase. By being able to recognize the difference between depression and clinical Depression, you can help get someone’s life back on track, and even save it- whether it be a loved one’s, a friend’s, or your own.  

written by Alex Caroline Robboy, CAS, MSW, LCSW

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