While the occasional bout of sadness or experiencing a bad day is a normal part of life, depression goes far beyond that and is a serious and life-threatening illness. With a depressive disorder, one experiences persistent and chronic feelings of sadness, hopelessness, apathy, anger, or emptiness. The symptoms can last for more than two weeks and are characterized by intense feelings that interfere with daily life and function, causing problems in work or school and relationships.
Depression can be caused by a number of factors, from traumas to life changes, to genetic predisposition. Individuals suffering from depression oftentimes can’t find the motivation to get out of bed in the morning and lose interest in activities they once found pleasurable. People undergoing depressive episodes commonly isolate themselves from friends and family, as they do not wish to trouble others and feel as they are under a burden only they can understand.
Everybody who experiences a depressive episode will be affected by it differently. However, there are some symptoms in common that you may experience a few, some, or all of, such as:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Changes in sleeping patterns, either insomnia or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite and weight, typically losing weight, but sometimes increased food cravings and weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
- Angry outbursts or irritability, even over small matters
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, fixating on past failures or things that aren’t your responsibility
- Mysterious aches and pains or headaches
- Fixating on death, suicidal ideation
Depression Treatment Can Help
While it may seem hopeless, depression is treatable, and depression therapy can help manage the condition. Wellness Center New Jersey, experts in mental illness treatment, can help you recover and live your life the way you were meant to.
Contact Wellness Center NJ today at 201-945-2905.
