Many Americans report having experienced symptoms of depressions at some time in their life. The CDC reports that approximately 9 percent of Americans are diagnosed with some form of depression. Depression can be a state where you are in paralyzing sadness and hopelessness. Sometimes people are living with depression and they are not even aware of it, but their friends and family notice that something is not quite right.
A person can suffer from depression due to life’s circumstances such as a death or severing of a relationship, but depression also runs in families and is considered to be hereditary. If you feel as if you may be depressed or your loved ones are asking you to seek help, below is a list of signs and symptoms to be aware of concerning depression:
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You may experience all or most of these symptoms. If you are experiencing three or more of these symptoms you may be depressed. It is important to reach out for help during your time of depression. When you are depressed due to life circumstances, sometimes these feelings will simply go away as you heal from the situation.
If you cannot seem to get pass the feelings by talking with friends and family, you may want to seek professional help from a licensed mental health professional. In more severe cases of depression a psychiatrist may prescribe medication to help stabilize your mood and decrease symptoms.There are several natural remedies to alleviate symptoms of depression as well.
Eating a well-balanced diet that contains Omega 3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants helps with depressive symptoms. A regular exercise routine helps the body produce endorphins that go to the brain and combat sadness and mood swings.
Talking with compassionate friends and family that will listen and not allow you to focus on the negatives in your life.
- Positive self-talk
- Prayer and meditation
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Getting adequate sleep
- Participating in activities even though you do not feel like it.
If you or a loved one is dealing with symptoms of depression, try some of these natural remedies for overcoming them. However, if you have done all you can on your own, please seek help from a professional counselor so you can successfully defeat the grip of depression and get a proper diagnoses.
Please understand that some people deal with major depression that is often inherited. Major depression is different than depressive symptoms suffered due to life’s circumstances. Chemical imbalances are real and must be addressed by a psychiatrist.
It is important to take care of yourself by eating well and exercising regularly, as well as getting enough rest and enjoyment in life. Practice the healthy lifestyle bullets listed above even if you are not experiencing depressive symptoms. Preventing sickness and disease will help you follow through on living life to the fullest and give you a window to enjoy your family, friends and life.