Today it is easier to keep track of the bad days than the good ones, to think that these weigh more on our existence and that we are simply condemned to suffer a lot for the sake of rejoicing a little. An idiosyncrasy of our time that leads us to think that we can all be depressed.
And it is that for some years, the stigma of depression, which although it has not disappeared, has softened, is allowing many to realize that it is something normal. But by doing that, a lot of people who are just sad can think they have depression and that’s a big problem.
Sadness is a human emotion. That abstract feeling as difficult to explain as joy or love. We can all feel sadness, as it is written in our social genetic code, but it is important to know that sadness is triggered by an event.
Something makes us feel sad: a strong breakup, the loss of a loved one, a disappointment in life, etc.
Depression, on the other hand, is an abnormal emotional state. It does not mean that the sufferer is not a normal person, but that what they are experiencing is not normal within their daily experience. Depression can come in happy moments, it has nothing to do (in many cases) with life experiences but with chemical reactions in the brain.
That is why there are many ways to treat the disease and it is best to ask for help.
According to the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS-5 Criteria), these are the nine potential symptoms of depression:
1. Feeling irritated or depressed most of the time.
2. Loss or disinterest in most activities, even those that always gave you pleasure.
3. Significant loss or gain of appetite and weight.
4. Trouble sleeping or sleeping excessively.
5. Feel clumsiness and slowness in your movements and actions.
6. Taking much longer than normal to do an activity.
7. Feeling tired and without energy most days.
8. Feeling full of guilt and anxiety most days.
9. Experiencing trouble concentrating, thinking, or working creatively. Even to make simple decisions.
10. Having suicidal thoughts or wishes to die.
Dr. Guy Winch states that you must feel these symptoms for at least two weeks to consider it to be depression.
Remember that the symptoms can vary and that it is always best to seek professional help, they can help in many ways and even diagnose depression or a stage of sadness with which they can also be very helpful.
Important: It should be clarified that The Bioguide does not give medical advice or prescribe the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical or mental problems without the advice of a doctor, either directly or indirectly. In the case of applying any information on this site for this purpose, La Bioguía does not assume responsibility for these acts. The site is intended only to provide information of a general nature to aid in the pursuit of personal growth and development.