1. It's Not Your Fault
Clinical depression is a serious condition that can negatively affect your thoughts, feelings and actions for weeks, months or even years. If you're suffering from clinical depression, it's not a weakness on your part. When you have this more severe, long-term form of depression, you may not be able to physically and mentally feel better on your own.
2. More Than Just a Case of the Blues
If you're suffering from clinical depression, you can't just shake things off like you can when you're just sad or disappointed about something. The symptoms of clinical depression persist over a longer period of time and can include loss of appetite, sleep problems, exhaustion, lack of concentration and loss of interest in normal activities. You may also experience feelings of guilt, sadness, hopelessness, despair and worthlessness. Some people may even contemplate suicide as a result of their depressive feelings. Men and women may exhibit different signs of depression as well. For example, men may be quicker to turn to drugs or alcohol or to over-work themselves, while women may experience more feelings of guilt and sadness.
3. Genetics and Stress Are the Culprits
Your biological makeup and stress can both play a role in causing clinical depression. Studies have shown that changes in your neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in your brain, may play a role in depression. Additionally, a family history of clinical depression may put you at a higher risk of developing depression yourself. This doesn't mean, however, that you'll definitely be depressed just because someone in your family is suffering from the condition. Outside stressors such as issues at work, tough family situations, major life changes, relationship problems or serious illnesses can also cause clinical depression. People who have a negative mindset and low self-esteem and those who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to become depressed as well.
4. Care for Your Mind and Body
While you don't have control over the biological and environmental factors that can cause clinical depression, you can work toward living a healthy lifestyle and attaining a positive outlook on life so you're less prone to the disease. Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep every night. Make time for rest and relaxation each week to keep your stress level down. Take part in activities that you enjoy, and spend time with friends and loved ones. Vent your frustrations to close friends instead of keeping them bottled up inside, and make an effort to have a positive attitude each day.
5. Treatments That Do the Trick
When you're suffering from clinical depression, ignoring your feelings won't make the condition go away. Make an appointment with a mental health professional who may suggest psychotherapy, antidepressant medications or a combination of the two. Counseling will encourage you to work through your negative thoughts and feelings, while antidepressants will deal with the biological factors affecting your depression.
