Am I Depressed or Do I Have Major Depressive Disorder?

Am I Depressed or Do I Have Major Depressive Disorder?

Due to the recent state of the nation, more Americans than ever are suffering from anxiety. Riots, politics, the economy, and a global pandemic certainly make fear rise and make people feel sad and hopeless. A recent poll given by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) stated that, “More than one-third of Americans (36%) say coronavirus is having a serious impact on their mental health and most (59%) feel coronavirus is having a serious impact on their day-to-day lives.

Most adults are concerned that the coronavirus will have a serious negative impact on their finances (57%) and almost half are worried about running out of food, medicine, and/or supplies. Two-thirds of Americans (68%) fear that the coronavirus will have a long-lasting impact on the economy.”

The negative effect on a person’s mental health has become almost inevitable because the situation has provoked mass hype of fake news and unverified reports. With the continuous push and pull of the crises that are happening throughout the country, symptoms of depression could occur more frequently.

While never having shown any signs of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) before now, many Americans are wondering if they are depressed or suffering from MDD?

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Emotional, physical, and behavioral changes occur when someone suffers from Major Depressive Disorder. Symptoms include: sadness, mood swings, weight fluctuation, disturbances in sleep patterns, diet alterations, lack of concentration, and social isolation.

Taken together, a person experiences a loss of zeal for life and a darkness that is unshakeable, making them want to retreat from everybody and everything. The persistence of depression is a significant factor when it comes to differentiating between a depressive state of MDD.

What Are the Ways to Reduce Symptoms?

When someone suffers from continuous symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, they may receive a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Using cognitive behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful to recognize negative thinking and help to diminish symptoms.

Also, regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting the appropriate amount of sleep can help a person feel better and reduce symptoms of depression. Feeling sad and hopeless with a loss of interest is nothing just to write off. If you feel this way, you should reach out to your sponsor, a therapist, a medical professional, or a spiritual advisor for guidance on your situation.

There is nothing wrong with getting help for your symptoms, so don’t suppress what is going on with you. There is a risk that you could start using drugs and alcohol to cope with mental anguish and the physical pain that are symptoms of depression, which will only make matters worse. You deserve to feel better and there is hope for you to be well when you decide that you are worth receiving the help that is waiting for you.

At The Detox Center of Colorado, we help patients stabilize their mental health so they can focus on healing from addiction with an integrated approach that simultaneously treats both disorders. By blending effective psychotherapies and traditional treatment approaches, we help each patient discover how their mental health plays a role in their addiction so they can address it head-on and begin to heal with purpose and direction. Call The Detox Center of Colorado today at (303) 536-5463 for more information.

 

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