| |
What Is Depression
A depressive disorder, or mood disorder is a condition that affects the body, mood and thoughts. It can affect your appetite and sleep patterns and alter the way you view others and yourself.
Symptoms include:
- Agitation and irritability
- Lack of interest in enjoyable activities
- Lack of energy or fatigue
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Indifference to environmental changes
- Social isolation
- Suicidal thoughts
WHAT IS BI-POLAR DISORDER?
Bi-Polar Disorder, otherwise known as manic depression, is marked by mood swings between depression and its opposite state, mania. The episodes can alternate rapidly every few days or weeks.
Symptoms of Bi-Polar
- Hostile behavior
- Inappropriate social behavior
- Distorted judgement
- High energy levels
- Rapid, constant talking
- Inability to sleep
- Low self-esteem
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty making decision
Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders feel extremely fearful and unsure. Most people feel anxious about something for a short time now and again, but people with anxiety disorders feel this way most of the time. Their fears and worries make it hard for them to do everyday tasks. About 18% of American adults have anxiety disorders. Children also may have them.
Personal Story of A Sufferer
"One day, without any warning or reason, I felt terrified. I was so afraid, I thought I was going to die. My heart was pounding and my head was spinning. I would get these feelings every couple of weeks. I thought I was losing my mind."
"The more attacks I had, the more afraid I got. I was always living in fear. I didn't know when I might have another attack. I became so afraid that I didn't want to leave my house."
PANIC DISORDER
Panic disorder sometimes runs in families, but no one knows for sure why some people have it, while others don't. When chemicals in the brain are not at a certain level it can cause a person to have panic disorder. That is why medications often help with symptoms because they help the brain chemicals stay at the correct levels.
- sudden and repeated attacks of fear.
- a feeling of being out of control during a panic attack.
- a feeling that things are not real.
- an intense worry about when the next attack will happen.
- a fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred in the past.
- physical symptoms including:
- pounding heart,
- sweating,
- weakness, faintness, or dizziness,
- feeling a hot flush or a cold chill,
- tingly or numb hands,
- chest pain,
- feeling nauseous or stomach pain.
Helping Friends or Family Members With These Disorders:
The number one thing that you can do to help a friend or family member who is suffering from depression is to encourage them to get the correct diagnosis and treatment from a mental health professional. These could include:
- Encouraging the individual to remain in treatment until the symptoms begin to go away.
- Making an appointment for, or going with the individual to an appointment
- Monitoring whether the individual is taking their prescribed medication.
The second most important thing that you can do is offer emotional support including:
- Providing understanding, patience, affection and encouragement
- Talk with the individual and take time to listen
- Don't disparage their feelings, but do try to point out realities and offer hope.
- Take all suicidal thoughts seriously.
- Encourage participation in activities that are enjoyable, but do not push the individual to do things.
Best Things to Say To Someone Who is Depressed
- I love you
- I care
- You're not alone in this
- I'm not going to leave you
- Do you want a hug?
- You are important to me.
Worst Things to Say to Someone Who is Depressed
- What's your problem?
- Snap out of it, will you?
- But it's all in your mind
- Stop feeling sorry for yourself
- There are a lot of people worse off than you
- You have it so good, why aren't you happy?
- The only one you're hurting is yourself
- Just don't think about it.
|
|
