Working In Recovery Everyday
Sadness is a normal human emotion, that is also called a feeling that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. However, it looks different for every person. Such as some people experience unexplained stomach pains, headaches, not being able to sleep, sleeping too much, trouble concentration, difficulty making decisions or other health problems with no known cause
The level of depression one person can handle is their experience and it usually runs in families. Depression can be triggered by a devastating life event or an unexpected life situation, which is sometimes called a traumatic experience.
Some women tend to suffer higher rates of depression after giving birth and/or men and women in the late fall with less day light and colder weather experience feeling of prolonged sadness.
Feeling anxious or nervous is another human emotion/feeling that we all experience but when it becomes a feeling that you are experiencing everyday and finding it difficult to control a racing heart beat, sweaty palms, constantly shaking your legs or tapping your feet, when in new or uncomfortable places.
Some people abuse alcohol and drugs or over eating as a way of coping, causing them to develop other medical problems. People who constantly experience depression and/or anxiety without seeking the help of a professional are at an increased risk of self-harm.
Depression is a mental illness, that can be mild, moderate or severe, and it is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including, but not limited to:
- Apathy
- Sadness
- Guilt
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
Diagnosing depression involves a psychiatric evaluation and physical tests to determine whether a person’s symptoms are actually being caused by a different disorder. A person must have been experiencing symptoms for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Every case is unique and requires individual attention, but there are a number of effective complementary ways of treating depression and anxiety, including:
- Talk therapy
- Medication
- Adopting a healthier lifestyle