Have you ever been struck by profound sadness, severe energy loss, hopelessness, or insomnia and thought to yourself, is this depression, am I depressed? Well, I have. At different times in my life, I have battled with hopelessness and sleeplessness and at other times I have dealt with sadness and a loss of interest in the things I normally wanted to do. Was I clinically depressed, or was I experiencing something called the doldrums? Great question! Let's take a look at these two conditions together.
Depression and the doldrums are two terms that are often used interchangeably to describe a feeling of sadness or lack of motivation. However, there is a significant difference between the two, and it is important to understand what distinguishes one from the other.
The doldrums, also known as feeling blue or down in the dumps, is a temporary state of low mood that most people experience from time to time. It is often triggered by a specific event or situation, such as a breakup, a disappointment, or a stressful day at work. The doldrums usually go away on their own or with minimal effort, such as spending time with loved ones or engaging in activities that bring joy or relaxation. This doesn't mean that it is easy to get through, or that it isn't something to actively work toward resolving, but it isn't the same as clinical depression.
Depression, on the other hand, is a mental health disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. Depression can be triggered by a specific event or situation, but it can also develop without any obvious cause. It isn't a person's fault that they experience depression, but it becomes our responsibility to decide what we will do with it when we experience it.
Depression is a serious condition that can have a significant impact on a person's daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. It can cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite, as well as psychological symptoms such as low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of suicide. As I said, it is never a person's fault when they experience depression, but it is up to the individual to seek out help to change the pattern and struggle of depression in their life...and sometimes even doing that can seem like too much when we are experiencing major depression.
While the doldrums are a normal part of life, depression requires professional help to manage. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. Treatment options may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
And if you or someone you know are experiencing the doldrums, or if you're unsure if it is depression or not, it can be important to seek help from a mental health professional too.
Life is hard at times for everyone, and sometimes we need help to overcome the doldrums or depression, but the good thing is there are ways we can help at The King's Forge. Behavioral Activation, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing are some of the treatment options that we use when helping our clients with depression or the doldrums. If you need help, please reach out to us by filling out a contact form on our website www.thekingsforge.net
We are here to help when you're hurting.
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