Depression is the most common mental disorder. The word depression is used in different ways. For many people with depression, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable, unhappy, or “blue” without knowing why. We can feel sad or blue when challenging things happen, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the person has a depressive disorder.
It can be helpful to cry as a way to slow down, release, process, and express yourself, which in turn helps to move through difficult emotions. In fact, it’s proven that when people cry, they release what we call “fee; good” chemicals that assist with both physical and emotional pain.
A recent report indicated that depression impacts approximately three hundred million people. It is probably underreported. Women are twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. It’s also common for depression to occur with other disorders, such as substance use disorder. This is because some may look to a substance to help them with their depressive symptoms.
People differ in the number and severity of symptoms. Even if someone doesn’t have enough symptoms for a depressive disorder diagnosis, the impact on their life can still be significant. These symptoms will cause them distress and interfere with their work and their relationships with family and friends.
If you are experiencing any of the following feelings or behaviors, it may be helpful to seek therapy.
- Increased anger or irritability
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Becoming withdrawn, negative or detached
- Increased engagement in high risk activities
- Greater impulsivity
- Increased use and misuse of alcohol or drugs
- Isolating from family and friends
- Inability to meet the responsibilities of work and family or ignoring other important roles
- Problems with sexual desire and performance
- Sadness, anxiety, guilt, mood swings, lack of emotional responsiveness
- Crying spells
- Avoidance of social events
- Loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation, slowing down, non-suicidal self injury, sleeping too much or too little