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A Deep Dive on Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder that has the capability of taking control of lives in every aspect.

We often associate depression with sadness but, did you know it’s associated with other symptoms as well?

Some symptoms differ in different age groups.

The Mayo Clinic lists the following depression symptoms that occur within children, adolescents and older adults (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Source: (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
Young Children Adolescents Older Adults
  1. Sadness
  2. Irritability
  3. Clinginess
  4. Worry
  5. Aches and pains
  6. Refusing to go to school or being underweight.

 

 

 

 
  1. Sadness
  2. Irritability
  3. Feeling
  4. Negative and worthless, anger, poor performance.
  5. Poor attendance at school.
  6. Feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive,
  7. Using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm.
  8. Loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
  1. Memory difficulties or personality changes
  2. Physical aches or pain
  3. Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
  4. Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
  5. Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men.

 

Treatment

Varies between the symptoms and how well the client responds to them.

It can be difficult for some to even address the mental health diagnosis.

Depression can occur alongside mental health and medical conditions.

For example, many individuals with diabetes are likely to endure depression when their glucose levels are not managed correctly.

Why should we care?

The number one issue associated with depression is suicide ideation.

Suicide ideation is the idea of wanting to harm oneself or others.

Depression can manifest harmful feelings and negative self talk.

It is important to seek professional help when you start to feel this.

You may be wondering how you should approach this mental health disorder.

For a child, you may want to observe their behavior and ask their teachers if they noticed anything particular about their child.

Set some time aside to talk to your child about how they are doing in school.

Adolescents on the other hand can be extremely challenging because they tend to close themselves off from others.

During adolescence, teens are going through puberty, rebelling against their parents, struggling with academics and uncovering their sexuality.

Mental health kind of fits into that category of let’s not discuss it.

As a society we should be doing the opposite and raise awareness about mental health disorders.

Fortunately, depression is one of the most common and treatable diagnoses.

According to the Cleveland Clinic treatments for depression include:

(1) Psychotherapy

(2) Medication

(3) Complementary medicine

(4) Brain stimulation therapy

(5) lifestyle changes(Cleveland Clinic, 2023)

Finding the right treatment takes time, so don’t rush yourself.

Make note of all the symptoms you are experiencing and talk to your health care provider.

Most agree that the best way to fight this disorder is to seek psychotherapy and prescribe medications.

Your loved one will need support, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

The CDC notes that “suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34 (CDC, 2023)”.

With any population you are treating, be watchful for any behavioral changes.

For more information

Regarding suicide prevention hotlines please visit this Link (Google, 2023).

This link contains suicide hotlines from around the world.

It also provides Find a Helpline link, in which you can search a specific country that was not listed on the Google partnership website (ThroughLine, 2023).

Depression is a serious medical condition, please pay attention to all the red flags.

They are some who tend to downplay their feelings and do not acknowledge that there is anything going on.

 

This post was written by Jasmine P., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.

Live in New York and want to learn more about working with us? Check us out here!

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References

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, October 14). Depression (major depressive disorder). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Depression: Causes, symptoms, types & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 8). Facts about suicide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

Google. (2023). Get help & support for suicide. Google Search Help. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/11181469

ThroughLine in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (2023). Find a helpline: Free emotional support in 130+ countries. Suicide Hotlines & Crisis Helplines | Free, 24/7 Chat, Text & Phone. https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp

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