depression has no face

a year ago, the wife of the deceased vocalist of Linkin Park launched a flash mob #faceofdepression (#face depression). This flash mob was designed to show that people who are depressed outwardly does not differ from healthy people. When you look at these photos, especially with the note "this is my son 2 days before he hanged himself", it is creepy, because to them these people look very cheerful.

Depression usually does not occur suddenly, yesterday you were full of energy, and in the morning you are already sick. It is accumulated. Appear mood swings, disturbed sleep and appetite. The days turn into one big monotonous, gray and fresh "Groundhog day", days merge into weeks and once a person realizes that it is better to die than again to shave or brush your teeth. It is really unbearable.

At best friends and relatives will start to cheer – "pull yourself together!", "cheer up!", "with fat rage, work more!", "see what weather!" and many other motivational slogans, which have a depressed person appears even more feelings of guilt, irritation and increased desire to go out the window because none of that he just can't do.

Depression can be different for every taste. There are just depressed mood that we can catch when I remembered something sad or the window is not very. There are seasonal, which occurs as a result of lack of sunlight and movement activity associated with the onset of cold weather. There are iatrogenic, which occurs in the background of some medications, and there are somatic tend to occur in different diseases, such as disease Allgamer, traumatic brain injury, diabetes and even the flu. I would also like to say that in patients with hypothyroidism the risk of developing depression is 7 times higher than in healthy individuals and the prevalence of depression among them reaches 50%.

And there's jet and endogenous. Reactive is when depression occurs in response to a difficult situation, which is the experience of loss, e.g. death of a loved one, sudden serious illness, a forced breakup, job loss, etc. Endogenous – when depression appears for no apparent reason, as if from within, by itself.

the international classification of diseases (ICD – 10) classifies depression to block "mood disorders". This unit includes disorders in which the primary violation is the change of mood to depression (with or without anxiety) or to elation. For depression:

* reduced ability to rejoice, to enjoy, to be interested, to focus

* there is a marked tiredness even after minimal effort.

* disturbed sleep and decreased appetite

* self-esteem and self-confidence are almost always reduced

* thoughts of self-guilt and futility.

* loses interest in his surroundings and "frozen" sensation (the person feels as if wrapped in cotton wool)

* awakening in the morning for a few hours before the usual time, the increased depression in the morning, the evening becomes a little easier

* there is psychomotor retardation, anxiety, reduced libido

In General, depression can be described as loss of interest in life.

people Often try to deal with such as yourself that can take negative forms, such as abuse of alcohol or other psychoactive substances, risky driving, causing aggressive behavior and acts of suicidal intent.

Here are simple techniques that will help to alleviate depression (but does not cure it):

regular physical activity. It can be sports, just a regular walk in the fresh air, gymnastics, which you can do at home. Physical activity stimulates the production of serotonin, which affects mood.

- to the maximum extent possible, to capture daylight. Sunlight and some artificial light sources also stimulate the production of serotonin.

- to compile a list of daily chores and try to do one thing at a time. It is important to praise yourself for a completed task.

- to communicate with relatives, friends and more to tell them about your condition, don't need to keep heavy feelings.

- to try to understand the conditions in which you live, how much they are satisfactory. Maybe the last time you have worked too hard and a little rested or the people around you push you to excessive requirements.

- find a occupation, a hobby which you like and try to give it regular attention.

In any case you will need to contact a specialist for help. If you find it difficult to apply directly to a therapist or psychologist, tell me about your condition, a therapist, and he already realize how to help you.

depression can get anyone, no matter how much he earns, what social status is and how old he is – depression has no face.

PS check your state after passing clinical test for depression (depression scale of Beck): http://psytests.org/clinical/bdi-run.html