Everyone gets depressed every now and again. A friend or family member passing in death, a job loss or financial setback, or a prolonged illness can make even the strongest and most resilient person to feel upset and sad. However, what is meant by the term clinical depression? How is this different from just feeling sad and blue? And when does clinical depression become a problem so that it’s time to see a doctor? There are a few things to consider about this subject.

The term clinical depression actually refers to an emotional disorder that is not caused by external elements such as a job loss or death in the family, but by a defect in the brain’s ability to regulate certain chemicals in the brain. When these chemicals are not released at an appropriate time or in appropriate amounts, a person feels sad all the time. This means he or she is upset or gloomy even when they are at good events or are doing things that normally should make them happy. It’s important to understand that clinical depression is caused by this physical defect or deformity because some people think that all they need to do is take a vacation or change some other circumstances in their life and their depression will go away. Unfortunately this is a very simplistic approach to the problem.

Those with clinical depression usually have very little self-esteem as they are no longer concerned with or care about virtually anything, including themselves personally. They may neglect their responsibilities around the house, at their job, and even when it comes to their own family and may even neglect their own hygiene and personal appearance. All of this comes from the overwhelming feelings of malaise or disinterest that are typical with clinical depression. A person suffering from this condition just does not have much of an interest in anything and seems to be constantly thinking “what’s the point?” This feeling often persists at all times and for years; it doesn’t let up even when faced with things they should have enjoyment in such as hobbies, friends, and even sexual activity.

Clinical depression is often different from general sadness in that it is a very deep feeling of sadness, not just a pessimistic attitude or “blue” feeling. It can even lead to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. The depths of one’s feelings have a lot to do with whether or not you actually have a condition or are just going through a bad patch.

If anyone suspects that they have clinical depression, especially if they have noticed that they are neglecting their responsibilities, their family, and their own care, it’s time to see a doctor especially if this feeling has persisted for longer than a few weeks. There are many treatment options today for those who suffer from this condition from medication to group therapy and self-help methods. Many of these treatment methods are also covered by prescription plans as well.

It’s true that physical problems including the way the brain regulates “feel good” chemicals is one of the leading causes of depression. People whose brains are just not releasing certain chemicals or whose brains are not releasing enough of these chemicals are going to suffer from clinical depression. These chemicals are necessary for a happy mood and when the body doesn’t get them, a person will feel sadness no matter what. However, there are other causes of depression that some people may not understand or expect. Let’s cover some of them here.

Chemical imbalances are the major causes of depression but depression can be brought on by outside factors as well. For example, some people suffer from what is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. This is when they have depression during the winter months or when there is much less sunlight outside. Most people prefer a sunny day over a dark and drizzly one, but those with SAD are more sensitive to this situation. Dark days, being inside because of the weather, and the cold air seem to be the causes of depression in their case. Many of these patients are advised to replace their standard light bulbs with those that mimic outside lights and to be outside as much as possible, even if it’s dark and dreary. Being cooped up inside with a lack of fresh air also contributes to their causes of depression so just being outside for a few minutes can help.

It’s also thought that one can learn depressive and negative thinking which in turn will lead to clinical depression. It’s as if a person is teaching themselves to be depressed and the body will eventually learn to be that way automatically. You might compare it to someone that purposely walks with a limp – they will eventually have a real one! These causes of depression might be pessimistic thinking, a lack of self-esteem, trauma survived such as child abuse, crime, or natural disaster, or severe problems such as job loss, financial setback, poor health, or divorce. A person thinks about these things in a negative and depressive way and soon those thoughts become automatic. Note that it takes extremely negative thoughts to be considered causes of depression; just being in a bad mood or being frustrated with one’s problems are not enough to actually bring on depression.

There are probably numerous other causes of depression. Scientists and doctors are learning new things about this condition every single day. As other examples, extreme anxiety can lead a person to depression as the body just shuts down to that heightened state of awareness. Teenagers who have been victims of bullying are often prone to depression. Those who have family members with depression have an increased chance of being diagnosed with it themselves. But with all the causes of depression, doctors are also working hard to find more effective treatment options as well, so don’t hesitate to consult with his or her if you think you have clinical depression.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, you are not alone. We live in very anxious times and no one would deny anyone their feelings. But at the same time, there is a connection between anxiety and depression, and one can often lead to the other. What is that connection and how does this happen?

Two Separate Conditions

Sometimes anxiety and depression are things that are experienced by a patient separately, one from the other. A person may simply have depression as part of their physical and chemical makeup and then be experiencing anxiety on top of it. This anxiety can be caused by outside factors such as a job loss or financial problems, family problems, or other stresses. They may just be an overly anxious person due to their own nature or personality; some people are just more “high strung” than others.

Their depression is a separate factor than their anxiety, and in these cases anxiety and depression are not related. You might compare it to how being obese can sometimes lead to diabetes, but sometimes a person might already be diabetic and then gain weight over time. They are just two separate conditions.

Similar Symptoms for anxiety and depression

In addition, there are many symptoms that are similar when it comes to anxiety and depression. anxiety can lead a person to be distracted, angry, upset, frustrated, and want to avoid other people and situations. depression can have many of the same symptoms. Being depressed doesn’t always mean just being sad, but it can also mean being angry and frustrated and isolating oneself. In cases such as these a person may assume that they have both anxiety and depression when in reality just one set of symptoms is overlapping the other.

anxiety Leads to depression

When a person is overly anxious for an extended period of time, this is damaging to them mentally, physically and emotionally. The body is not designed to be at a heightened state of emergency for days or even hours on end. When a person suffers anxiety, depression may be a result of that heightened state of awareness. They are simply wearing themselves out and the body’s only way of coping is to force itself to become depressed.

Additionally because a person is anxious over outside factors these same factors may make him or her feel depressed. Family problems, job problems, financial setbacks, a divorce or death, needing to move to a new area, and many factors that cause anxiety can also cause a person to suffer from depression. They have both anxiety and depression because of these outside factors. In this way the two conditions are intertwined.

Dealing with both anxiety and depression is a very difficult set of circumstances for anyone, and even for the family of the sufferer. While we can’t always remove the causes of our anxiety and cure depression, it is possible to treat and cope with these conditions. Not only are there medications that can help, but therapies as well.

There is probably not any condition that one can have that doesn’t also affect those around them. A sprained wrist means others need to carry things for you. A twisted knee means they need to slow down a bit. Bad eyesight, and the living room furniture needs to be moved closer to the television.

Sure, all of these things are insignificant in nature. Needing to carry something for someone or slow down a bit when there’s a problem is just part of being someone’s friend or family. There’s no need for someone to feel guilty because a condition they have means that others will need to make adjustments.

But when it comes to mental and emotional health, it is unfortunate that sometimes a patient will forge that their condition affects those around them, including friends, family, and coworkers. This isn’t to say that someone should feel bad about their condition, but it should give someone more motivation to get the help they need.

depression can cause a person to lose interest in their family and their career. It can make them feel apathetic toward virtually everything, including things that they enjoyed in the past. This means hobbies and activities they may have enjoyed with their family or spouse. It’s easy to see how other members of the family can then suffer from this condition. Children excited at the end of a school day can crushed by a parent that brushes them off. Spouses feel isolated and neglected and may even feel guilty when they’re happy but the depressed person isn’t. Coworkers and employers can also suffer as projects are not done on time and customers are not taken care of properly.

The difference with mental and emotional disorders and physical problems is that people are often very eager to get help with physical ailments and illnesses. A person with a broken leg may insist on a walking cast and practice with their crutches so that they’re as mobile as they can possibly be. A person with a broken arm may become very adept at steering the car with one hand or insist on carrying as many groceries as they can, so that they’re as independent as they can be.

But with mental and emotional disorders, patients are typically much more hesitant about asking for and receiving help. Whether it’s shame, skepticism, or fear, something keeps them from getting the help that’s available, and this decision affects not only them but those around them as well.

When it comes to depression, there is help available if one is willing to ask for it and accept it when offered. To do so means not only recapturing the enjoyment that the patient once experienced in life, it means happiness for those around them as well!

As with many other physical conditions and diseases, there are actually many forms of depression. All of these forms of the disease have some things in common, but they’re not the same at all. Here are the most common forms of depression:

Postpartum depression of course refers to depressed feelings a new mother experiences after giving birth. This condition is tied to the extreme fluctuations in a woman’s hormones that happen during and after pregnancy, her physical exhaustion from the chronic lack of sleep, and even feelings of grief over what she perceives as being loss in her life – loss of her youth, her freedom, her sexuality, and so on.

Major depressive disorder is the most extreme form of depression. Those with major depressive disorder can barely function on a daily basis and may neglect themselves, their family, their friends, their career, and their other responsibilities. They typically lose their appetite or may go on eating binges, may lack interest in enjoyable things including hobbies and even sexual activity, and may sleep for hours on end. They may even have suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Atypical depression is marked by the same symptoms of major depressive disorder but at the same time, the sufferer can sometimes feel moments of elation and even euphoria. Those with atypical depression usually believe that outside forces are influencing their mood, whether it’s positive (praise, attention, success) or negative (criticism, failure).

Psychotic depression refers to people that see and hear things that are not real, such as voices talking to them, figures hiding behind trees, and so on. Those with schizophrenia also typically see and hear hallucinations, but those with psychotic depression have these hallucinations in conjunction with their depressive disorder. The depression is bringing on their hallucinations, or vice versa.

There are other forms of depression as well, from bipolar disorder which is marked by extremes in mood such as crying jags followed by feelings of euphoria, and depression brought on by isolation and social stigma.

It’s important to understand the different forms of depression so that your condition is being treated properly and so that you are not ignoring your condition, thinking it will go away. There are treatment options for this condition if a person is willing to find out those options and ask for help where needed.

You probably get a lot of emails that promise to show you how to feel good, but make no mistake – we’re not talking about some trashy “supplement” you can take to enhance your experiences in the bedroom.

When we talk about feeling good now, we mean improving your mental and emotional health, and yes, that include getting over your clinical depression!

Your emotional health is just like your physical health – you can improve it, if you know how. Sure, you can try on your own but just like walking into a gym and having no idea what to do and where to go, trying to improve your emotional health on your own can be pointless and ineffective. But a personal trainer can help you get the best out of your exercise routine, and the right help can get you back on track with your emotional health as well.

And that’s where we come in. Like a successful personal trainer, we can help you get back your emotional health, and this includes addressing your depression. We can:

- Explain in easy-to-understand terms the reasons why depression happens.
- Give you the information you need to pinpoint why you have clinical depression – what has caused it and how it’s developed over time.
- Make sure you understand the things that do not cause clinical depression to be sure you aren’t treating it ineffectively.

You deserve to feel good and to rediscover the joy you once had in life. You deserve to enjoy the company of your friends and family, to regain the sense of satisfaction you once had in your career, and to feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose once again. And you can have all these things, if you’re willing to let us help.

If you’re ready to start feeling good about yourself and your life, then visit our website at www.depressiontruths.com to find out how. We can’t get you back into good physical shape, but we can help you rediscover your emotional health, as we have for so many others before you. So don’t wait another minute; visit us today to start feeling good right away!