Every year, millions of men and women are affected by depression. Out of all the different types of mental illnesses, or mind-brain illnesses, depression represents 99% of those found in people of the ages 15-44 in America. Depression is a serious medical condition that affects both the brain and the state of mind and has many different symptoms. Some symptoms include: loss of pleasure, loss of energy, lack or loss of concentration, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, sleeping too much, insomnia, persistent melancholy feelings, eating too much or not eating enough, and many more.
Not only are there many different symptoms of depression, but there are also many different types of depression. These different types are: bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and suicidal tendencies. Each one of these different types of depression has its own struggles and its own hardships, but none of them can ever keep you from finding hope and finding joy again. Matthew 19:26 says, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (NIV). Just as this verse says, fighting depression alone is impossible, but with God it is possible. There is hope, there is joy, and you will find it again.
To learn more about some of the contributing factors and causes of depression, take a look at the articles listed below.
Personal Lifestyle:
Your personal lifestyle is very fragile when it comes to handling your mental health. Whether you get too much sleep or not enough, whether you eat poorly or not, whether you have stable relationships or not... all of these things factor into a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle that can greatly affect your mental well-being. To learn more about how your personal lifestyle affects your mental health and what changes you can make to better your lifestyle, click here.
Your personal lifestyle is very fragile when it comes to handling your mental health. Whether you get too much sleep or not enough, whether you eat poorly or not, whether you have stable relationships or not... all of these things factor into a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle that can greatly affect your mental well-being. To learn more about how your personal lifestyle affects your mental health and what changes you can make to better your lifestyle, click here.
Loss/Grief:
Saying goodbye is hard no matter what the form of loss may be. Whether it be the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, the grief and loss that one may experience is hard to cope with at times and, in worst case scenario, may lead to depression or make underlying depression worse. To find out more about depression and grief, and their similarities, click here. To learn about and find different ways to cope with loss, click here. Remember, grief and pain will not last forever. Joy comes in the morning.
Saying goodbye is hard no matter what the form of loss may be. Whether it be the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, the grief and loss that one may experience is hard to cope with at times and, in worst case scenario, may lead to depression or make underlying depression worse. To find out more about depression and grief, and their similarities, click here. To learn about and find different ways to cope with loss, click here. Remember, grief and pain will not last forever. Joy comes in the morning.
Bullying:
Bullying is a serious problem of this day and age. Not only does bullying seriously affect the person being bullied, but it also negatively affects the bully and the bystanders. Bullying can often lead to and cause depression, anxiety, and suicide. To learn more about the effects of bullying, click here. To learn more about reasons as to why someone may bully or be bullied, click here. And lastly, to learn about the connection between bullying and depression, click here.
Bullying is a serious problem of this day and age. Not only does bullying seriously affect the person being bullied, but it also negatively affects the bully and the bystanders. Bullying can often lead to and cause depression, anxiety, and suicide. To learn more about the effects of bullying, click here. To learn more about reasons as to why someone may bully or be bullied, click here. And lastly, to learn about the connection between bullying and depression, click here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental illness or at risk of suicide, contact help immediately: suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-8255.
References
Lawson, Karen, and Sue Towey. "What Lifestyle Changes are Recommended for Anxiety and Depression?" Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing, Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2016, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-lifestyle-changes-are-recommended-anxiety-and-depression. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
Nowinski, Joseph. "When Does Grief Become Depression?" Psychology Today, edited by Joseph Nowinski, Sussex Publishers, LLC, 2020, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-grief/201203/when-does-grief-become-depression. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
"Bereavement And Grief." Mental Health America, Mental Health America, Inc., 2020, www.mhanational.org/bereavement-and-grief. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
"Effects of Bullying." stopbullying.gov, United States Government, www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/effects. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
"Bullying and Depression: The Long-term Effects on Kids and Teens." Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, The Jason Foundation, 24 Oct. 2017, www.houstonbehavioralhealth.com/blog/bullying-and-depression-effects-on-kids-teens. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
Lawson, Karen, and Sue Towey. "What Lifestyle Changes are Recommended for Anxiety and Depression?" Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing, Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2016, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-lifestyle-changes-are-recommended-anxiety-and-depression. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
Nowinski, Joseph. "When Does Grief Become Depression?" Psychology Today, edited by Joseph Nowinski, Sussex Publishers, LLC, 2020, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-grief/201203/when-does-grief-become-depression. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
"Bereavement And Grief." Mental Health America, Mental Health America, Inc., 2020, www.mhanational.org/bereavement-and-grief. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
"Effects of Bullying." stopbullying.gov, United States Government, www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/effects. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.
"Bullying and Depression: The Long-term Effects on Kids and Teens." Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, The Jason Foundation, 24 Oct. 2017, www.houstonbehavioralhealth.com/blog/bullying-and-depression-effects-on-kids-teens. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.