Is It Winter Blues Or Some Other Kind Of Depression?
It wasn’t so very long ago that depression was a condition that was simply denied. People who felt blue were told to pull themselves up by their boot straps and snap out of it. Today we know that depression is a very real problem and that it comes in a lot of different degrees and varieties. The good news is that all forms of depression are treatable. In this post, we will briefly outline a few common forms of depression and discuss what you can do to cope.
The SAD Winter Blues
Let’s start with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or the winter blues. This is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons and is apparently caused by lack of light exposure during the winter months. While it is possible to just feel a little down during the wintertime without having SAD, if you feel very blue or even extremely depressed for more than two winters in a row, it’s a good idea to seek professional help. SAD is not difficult to treat with natural methods such as light therapy, good diet and exercise, but it’s important to get a correct diagnosis before beginning treatment.
Baby Blues
Another type of depression that comes and goes based on events is depression surrounding pregnancy. A woman may experience depression at any phase of the pregnancy and birth experience. For this reason, you may see this type of depression called antenatal, perinatal or postnatal depression. Antenatal depression is specific to the period before giving birth. Postnatal depression occurs after giving birth. Perinatal depression may last throughout much of the pregnancy and the year following the birth. Depression related to pregnancy is typically cause by hormone fluctuations; however, it should not be dismissed. A thorough exam and diagnosis should be performed. What is thought to be baby blues could be some other type of depression or the result of a physical problem such as malnutrition or an illness. No matter what the cause, depressed moms cannot enjoy the experience of motherhood, and this is a situation that must be addressed.
Bipolar And Cyclothymic Disorder
We hear a lot about bipolar disorder in the media these days, but it is still a type of depression that is not well understood. Typically, bipolar disorder (and its less severe cousin, cyclothymic disorder) are characterized by mood swings ranging from grandiosity and limitless energy to severe irritability and frustration to deep depression. People with bipolar disorder may experience hallucinations, psychosis and delusions. This is a serious and ongoing condition that is apparently linked with a family history of abuse and violence. People with cyclothymic disorder may experience similar symptoms sporadically and to a lesser degree.
Other severe forms of depression include:
- Major depression: Persistent low mood and loss of pleasure in life and activities lasting for two weeks or more and interfering with all areas of life.
- Melancholia: Similar to major depression and accompanied by very slow movements and total loss of interest.
- Dysthymic disorder: A mild form of major depression that may be lifelong with no defined beginning. A mild depression that lasts for more than two years may be dysthymia.
- Psychotic depression: Loss of connection with reality, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, a feeling of being evil, general feeling of illness.
Can Depression Be Treated Naturally?
There have been many cases in which people have reported remarkable results from a simple regimen of fresh air, sunlight, clean water, good food, high quality dietary supplements, exercise, proper rest and stress management. The key thing to understand is that these are practices that can benefit all people at all times. People who follow this sort of regimen are unlikely to fall prey to depression unless there is a problem that must be diagnosed by a doctor or psychiatrist. For this reason, it is always important to get a proper diagnosis for any type of depression. Once a diagnosis is made, it is important to follow the health care providers’ instructions and maintain a healthy, natural lifestyle for the very best results.
Copyright:SuzanneBennett:February 15, 2014
Also of Interest!
Top Natural Ways You Can Beat The Winter Blues
http://justmesuzanne.hubpages.com/hub/Top-Natural-Ways-You-Can-Beat-The-Winter-Blues
Giving Yourself the Gift of a Happier, Healthier Body
http://voices.yahoo.com/giving-yourself-gift-happier-2446417.html?cat=5
