Depression 101: Recognizing and Coping with Symptoms

What is Depression? 

Depression is a mood disorder that impacts how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. Almost thirty percent of American adults have been diagnosed with depression during some point in their lives and symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Globally, an estimated five percent of the adult world population suffers from depression.

Each person who is diagnosed with depression experiences something differently, ranging from decreased energy and motivation to thoughts of death and suicidal ideation. While you do not need to experience all possible symptoms to be struggling with depression, below are some of the symptoms that people tend to experience:

• Persistent sadness
• Feelings of hopelessness 
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Poor concentration levels 
• Changes in appetite or sleeping schedule
• Physical pains 
• Feelings of guilt or unworthiness
• Low energy 
• Changes in mood or behaviors 
• Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time (i.e., at least two weeks), reach out to a mental health professional to learn coping tools and techniques that can change the course of your life.  

How to Cope with Depression

One of the most important ways to cope with depression is by first recognizing that you are experiencing its symptoms. Depression can result from typical stressors in your daily life or stem from more complex life experiences, such as challenging life events. While it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed when life gets busy, if those feelings persist for two weeks or more, it can be helpful to speak with a mental health professional. 

We all experience low points and days where we may feel exhausted or have difficulty concentrating, but if you start to notice a trend of negative emotions, take note of how you feel and why. You may not always be able to answer those questions—and that is to be expected—but being aware of your emotions is often the most efficient way to address symptoms of depression. Individuals who struggle with depression are more likely to actively work to manage their emotions at any given moment. While this process may be physically demanding, it can catapult you in the right direction of feeling lighter and happier. 

Treatment Options

There are countless treatment methods that individuals facing depression can find helpful, all of which can be explored in weekly therapy sessions. These methods both address the symptoms that you are experiencing and provide tools to overcome those negative emotions that may creep in throughout a typical day. 

In addition to seeking professional help, getting involved with activities that you enjoy or staying connected to family and friends can often serve as positive influences for someone who may otherwise be facing any of the symptoms listed above. Prioritizing self-care, which includes exercising regularly and maintaining good sleeping habits, can help manage the symptoms of depression. If you find yourself starting to experience symptoms of depression, avoid using alcohol or drugs. 

Self-awareness is key and the more proactive you are with coping with your depressive symptoms, the more likely you will succeed in overcoming them. 

References 

Depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#part_10948 

Depressive disorder (depression). (2023, March 31). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression#:~:text=An%20estimated%203.8%25%20of%20the,–29%2Dyear%2Dolds

What is depression? (n.d.). American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression 

Woolston, C. (2023, July 5). People experiencing depression actively fight to manage their emotions. The Ampersand. https://artsci.wustl.edu/ampersand/people-experiencing-depression-actively-fight-manage-their-emotions