Here comes the “awareness ” part. Clinical depression isn’t a mood. It isn’t the feeling when you fail a big test in school. It’s not the feeling of disappointment when you don’t get that job offer you wanted. It’s a clinically diagnosed illness that disrupts your ability to go about normal life for weeks, months or even years. It doesn’t go away when you pet a cat. It doesn’t stop if you watch a funny movie, or get out of the house. Nothing can lift it except getting help from a professional and/or taking medications.
There are various forms of depression such as Major depression (maybe one or more episodes in a lifetime), Persistent depression disorder (lasts at least 2 years), Psychotic depression (depression along with signs of psychosis) Postpartum depression (severe depression after giving birth, Seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, which happens usually during winter months when there is less sunlight), and Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive disorder).
Millions of people suffer from various forms of depression and it is nothing to be ashamed of or to hide. If you broke your arm you would go to the doctor for help.This is no different, it just happens to take place in your brain. There is no shame in talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist or taking medication to help you. That’s why they are there! Do whatever it takes and whatever works for you, and you are on your way to getting yourself better. Please if you think something is wrong or off talk to your doctor about it, it will help in the long run.
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