Mood swings and prolonged sadness
Usually in our adolescence, we are exposed to many sudden and inexplicable mood swings as a result of our
body undergoing various hormonal changes that prepare us for adulthood.
Aside from increased social pressures, the onset of menstruation, for example, introduces adolescent girls
to premenstrual tension and menstrual cramps, the former being a mixture of
physical and psychological symptoms, including temporary weight gain, fluid retention, depression, and fits of
temper.
Of these, depression is perhaps one of the most commonly identified conditions that both males and females
attest to, particularly at the onset of puberty.
Depression is a term we generally use to describe any particular period of prolonged sadness and
lethargy. We could call depression any 'low' point in between periods of
'high' or happiness.
The essence of depression is the fact that you can't simply 'snap out of it', and that it
has the capacity to disrupt your daily activities. It is characterized by prolonged sadness, anxiety,
unusual mood shifts accompanied by a degree of irrational thought, pessimism, and is responsible for changes
in the way we eat, sleep, or interact with other people that in effect incapacitates us from participating
in productive activities.
Depression is deemed a disorder that requires treatment and attention first because it may be a cause for
withdrawal from society as it gives a semblance of suffering, pessimism, and low self-esteem. Secondly,
depression may cause changes in physical behavior (like eating or sleeping) that may disrupt regular daily
activities or may be mortally dangerous for whoever suffers from it. It may also harm interactions
with other people, particularly family and friends.
In extreme cases, the accompanying decrease in rational thought causes some people to eventually consider thoughts of
harming oneself or even suicide.
Should you find yourself exhibiting that degree of depression, it is best to seek immediate
help from a professional. It is treatable! You can also determine whether you
may simply be suffering from a minor depression or a severe or major depression.
What is severe or major depression?
Severe or major depression, which medical experts also call clinical
depression, unipolar depression, or major depressive disorder, necessitates medical treatment.
This is because severe depression is thought to be a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. This
particular brand of depression is recognized as possibly hereditary by many psychiatrists and specialists.
Doctors detect severe depression by particular behavioral patterns that emerge. The first is that of a
constant feeling of sadness or anxiety. This may be accompanied by feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Another is when you feel lethargic, tired, or without energy despite the fact that you did not engage in any
physical activity of any form alongside a feeling of restlessness. You may also feel a decreased capacity to
concentrate and make decisions.
If you are suffering from severe depression, you may have a feeling of being uninterested in usual activities
or hobbies and you may eventually withdraw from them. Changes in your appetite may also emerge, leading to
drastic weight loss.
Another change is in sleeping habits, such as difficulty in sleeping, waking up too early, or
sleeping too much.
Understanding that people around you suffer from depression will
both allow you to better interact with them, or, should you be suffering from it as well, allow you to benefit
from support groups or other people who can better help you deal with the disorder and stop you from succumbing to it.
NEXT: When to seek treatment for depression
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