How to Know You Are Depressed

How to Know You Are Depressed

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Having a full knowledge of the different symptoms that points out a person is depressed will help you identify depression in you or your loved ones. WHO stats showed an average of 3.8% of the world is affected by depression, and depression is not gender or age-biased, though women experience it more because of the hormonal changes in their bodies.

Also, older adults are more prone to depression than younger generations. That said, these factors do not erase the fact that depression is a common illness to all and sundry, and as a result, it should not be taken with levity. It should be considered as a serious issue that should be dealt with because it also leads to having a negative perception of one’s image.

 

Symptoms of Depression

1. Fatigue

2. Emotional Drain

3. Negative Thoughts

4. Irregular Sleep Patterns

5. Reduced Interest in Sex

6. Lack of Sexual Interest

7. Moods Like Restlessness, Anger, Aggression, Anxiety

8. Unusual Behaviors Like Lack of Interest, Suicidal Thoughts, Alcohol Misuse

9. Unusual Cognitive Abilities Like Loss of Concentration, Inability to Complete Daily Activities

 

Understanding these symptoms will help you to find out the causes and ultimately seek treatment so that you can live a healthy life.

 

 

 

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Depression: What Are the Causes?

 

Depression: What Are the Causes?

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Marion Cotillard said, “when people don’t know exactly what depression is, they can be judgmental.” How many times has it felt like, “they just don’t understand me?” The simple truth is they don’t understand what you are experiencing because they are not you.

Depression is a mood disorder. It is the experience of sadness, hurt, pain, loss, or anger to a higher degree, and if not controlled, depression can interfere with one’s daily activities. When you feel so low and consumed with guilt and condemnation, then you are probably depressed.

 

Causes of Depression

When you are experiencing the symptoms of sadness, loneliness, guilt, condemnation, it is important you know the causes of these feelings. Your ability to identify these causes is the first step towards getting better.

According to WHO stats, approximately 280 million people in the world have depression, and this is why we must understand the causes of depression, which includes:

1. Old Age

2. Family Gene

3. Substance Misuse

4. Conflicts with Others

5. Hormonal Changes in Women

6. Grief from Losing a Loved One

7. Drugs Like Codeine, Morphine, etc.

8. A Life-Threatening Medical Condition

9. Abuse: Sexual, Emotional, or Physical

 

Now that you know the causes of depression, when next you feel depressed, ask yourself: Why am I depressed? Your ability to answer this question is the first step to coming out of it.

 

Drew Gerald said, “Look outside, and you will see yourself. Look inside, and you will find yourself.”

Whenever you’re depressed, what you need to do is look inward to find out what the causes are, then you can look into getting treatment. Also, never forget to remind yourself of the KING that you are. YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE; not even depression can stop you!

 

 

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Is Self-Harm Suicidal?

 

Is Self-Harm Suicidal?

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One of the things people do to get over emotional pain is to try to numb the pain, and in the process, they get into self-harm. Mostly, self-harm is a coping mechanism that those struggling with their emotions turn to. In some cases, self-harm is intentional from the onset, while in other cases, it’s a resultant effect of what people are doing to relieve pain.

 

Mental Conditions Associated with Self-Harming Behaviors

Although self-harm is not a mental health disorder, it is a resultant effect of going through some mental conditions like:

1. Depression

2. Eating disorder

3. History of abuse

4. Substance misuse

5. History of violence

6. Family dysfunction

7. Borderline personality disorder                                   

8. Post-traumatic distress disorder

 

Self-Harm and Suicide

The intent of self-harm is different from that of suicide. In self-harm, the victim wants to numb their pain, while in suicide, the victim wants to take their life. It is important to note that their symptoms are similar, making it difficult to predict if a person is self-harming or attempting suicide. But either way, identifying the symptoms in you or your loved one and looking out for prevention measures will go a long way in avoiding the two. 

 

The Difference Between Suicide and Self-Harm

1. Self-harm causes damage on the surface of the body, while suicide is more lethal.

2. The intent of self-harming is to feel better from emotional pain. In suicide, it is to end one’s life.

3. The stats of committing suicide are low compared to self-harm, which is mostly done regularly or at intervals as a coping mechanism for pain.

 

 

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Symptoms and Prevention of Self-Harm

Symptoms and Prevention of Self-Harm

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In the United States, the stats reveal that the self-harm cases reported are close to 2 million yearly, and of this number, teens have the highest percentage. This shows that we must pay adequate attention to our loved ones, especially when they are going through emotional downtime. Although it’s quite difficult to notice a person self-harming because it’s mostly done in secret, there are symptoms you can watch out for when you suspect your loved one or friend is self-harming.

 

These symptoms include:

1. Headbanging

2. Anxiety and shame  

3. Cutting and burning

4. Emotional instability

5. Wearing long clothes

6. Scars and broken bones

7. Bruises and fresh injuries

8. Depression and mood swings

9. Spending more time alone than usual

10. Keeping sharp objects at hand most times

11. Withdrawal from people and fun activities

12. The feeling of helplessness and hopelessness

 

Prevention of Self-Harm

Even though self-harm is not tantamount to committing suicide, one still must be careful because continuous self-harm might result in suicide. This is why in dealing with people going through any form of emotional pain, self-harm must be prevented, especially when the person going through the pain is showing the tendencies of self-harming. To prevent your loved ones from self-harming from the onset or from continuing the practice:

1. Provide healthy distractions

2. Schedule a psychological evaluation

3. Involve in individual or group therapy

4. Improve healthy and encouraging communication

Lastly, another important thing to pay attention to in preventing self-harm is positive affirmation. Remind yourself or your loved one that, as C. JoyBell C. said, “The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I’m not going to let myself pull me down anymore.”

 

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How Bullying Affects Mental Health

 

How Bullying Affects Mental Health

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Mental health is a topical subject. Even though many people are ignorant about it, conversations about it are coming up both online and offline. One question that keeps coming is;

“Can bullying affect mental health?” Of course, it can!

Imagine being a victim every day. Whether it is for seven months or seven years or anything in between, frequent abuse is not something anyone can forget or get over quickly.

For most people, it stays with them for a long time, causing a ripple effect of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and lack of self-confidence.

You cannot underestimate the effects of bullying on emotional and mental well-being. These effects stay for a very long time. If you are being bullied, please speak out. If you are bullying someone, you need to stop now.

 

Proactive Actions Against Bullying

 

Take note of the following tips. They’ll help you against bullying:

1. Phrases like ‘toughen up’ does not work anymore. It is insensitive.

2. Honest and open conversations about bullying should be routine.

3. Write powerful affirmations and quotes for yourself, and put them in conspicuous places and use them to encourage yourself every day.

4. Establish a strong support system with your loved ones.

5. Bullying is not okay! It is not a normal thing.

6. Always know you are not alone.

7. Don’t be a bystander if you see someone being bullied, step in, and speak up assertively so you can overcome bullying.

8. Seek help.

 

Source: https://depositphotos.com/stock-photos/anti-bullying.html?qview=194121458

If you are still suffering from the effects of bullying, please slow down. Don’t allow others to hurry your healing. It is a process. It may take years, occasionally even a lifetime and that’s okay.

 

 

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You Are More Powerful Than You Think

 

You Are More Powerful Than You Think

 

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You need to remind your kids every day that they are more powerful than they think. The effects of bullying leave kids feeling confused, helpless, and vulnerable. Aside from teaching your kids how to be assertive, you also need to build their self-confidence and help them improve their social skills. Let them know there are proactive actions against bullying, and no one should intimidate them.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Use these tips to train your kids:

IGNORE.

There is no need to care so much about people who doubt you or try to intimidate you. Not reacting when someone does something hurtful is an effective response to bullying. Teach your kids to ignore and keep their head high when someone tries to bully them.

THEY SHOULD STAND UP FOR THEMESELVES.

Do you know some bullies look for victims that will not say anything at all? But if your kid is assertive, strong, and confident, no bully will walk over them.

AVOID HOTSPOTS.

At times, all it takes to overcome bullying is to stay away from places where bullies hang out. The hotspots include locker rooms, vacant hallways, bathrooms, and back of the bus.

REPORT TO AN ADULT.

Kids are vulnerable, and they keep quiet when things like this happen. Be open with your kids. Understand their fears and let them know you have their best interests at heart.

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The greatest gift a parent can give their children is to empower them and foster core values like respect, kindness, compassion, and self-worth.

 

 

 

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How to Practice Self-Care

Practicing self-care does not require a lot of time and effort. It is about understanding what works for you. Some might prefer yoga, while others prefer going for a hike. The idea basically is indulging in those things that help you recuperate and maintain the inner balance and peace you need on your inside.

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It is encouraged that you have a list of your favorite activities that help you improve your mood, reduce stress, and help you function optimally. Self-care is self-preservation. It helps boost your productivity, which in turn boosts your self-confidence.

Rather than react rashly on a stressful day, you could quickly go through your list of self-care activities and pick one that will help you reduce your stress at that moment, and ultimately help you stay calm amid the stress. Doing this results in you successfully practicing self-control during an uncontrollable situation.

 

How to Practice Self-Care

·         Practice routine exercise.

·         Practice healthy eating habits.

·         Surround yourself with healthy relationships.

·         Always ensure you have enough time to rest daily.

·         Create time to indulge in activities that make you happy.

·         Understand how your body works and plan your activities around it in order to boost productivity.

·         Say positive words to yourself in an unpalatable situation. This will boost your self-worth.

 

Amy Leigh Mercree said: “When we self-regulate well, we are better able to control the trajectory of our emotional lives and resulting actions based on our values and sense of purpose.”

So, practicing self-care is self-regulating your body and mind so that you can be the very best version of yourself in life. No one can do it for you; you have to rise and say no to losing your inner balance in the face of any challenging situation.

 

 

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