Depression: What It Feels Like and Where to Find Support

overview)

The experience of depression varies from person to person; however, there are specific symptoms, which direct to the particular depressive disorder. Despite being able to diagnose depression, depression is in fact a spectrum; therefore, regardless of having the same diagnosis of depression, the severity and presentation of it may differ from each individual. All in all, to precisely state what depression feels like is improbable, but there are symptoms that correlate to each depressive disorder.

3)4)5) content

major depressive disorder (MDD)

Most prevalent type of depressive disorder
Severity and duration may vary
Symptoms: feeling extreme sadness, emptiness and/or hopelessness and have a loss of interest or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy, sleep disturbance, loss in appetite, continual tiredness and lack of energy, frequent thoughts of suicide, acts of self harm, and unexplained physical problem, such as back pain or headaches.
May be caused due to hereditary, environmental changes,

Melancholia

Under the umbrella of MDD, melancholia is considered as a severe type of MDD
Similar to same symptoms of MDD however has higher serverity of lack of sleep, feeling slow/ flat, weight loss, headaches, trouble with concentration, thoughts on suicide
Symptoms are much worse in the mornings
Usually caused by hormonal changes
Also might be hereditary

Additional information)

This is not an exhaustive nor detailed list of each type of depression; hence, if you have depression or think you might have depression, to fathom the type of depression, the best and easiest option is going to a physiatrist and/or psychologist.

Conclusion) finding help

All types of depression can be cured, but therapy, medical care, or both may or may not work, contingent on the person. For less severe types of depression, especially for teenagers, it could get cured simply by talking to a close friend or family member. However, for severe types of derpession, meaning one might harm oneself or commit suicide, calling emergy numbers such as 911 or suicide hotline number (respective to one’s country) is the most reliable action.

Sources used:

Recent Posts