The World Health Organization estimates that 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression, a disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
The psychologist has shown that there are many misconceptions about this widespread disorder.
Dr. Julie Smith, a psychologist from Hampshire, England, has shared mental health education videos on social media.
In a TikTok video, Jolie explained three things people often misunderstand about this debilitating condition.
1. Depression is not only a bad mood
Some of the common symptoms of a mental health condition include feelings of frustration, emptiness, and loss of interest in activities that a person would normally enjoy.
Thus, a common misconception is that if you are depressed, you just feel depressed.
But it is not always the case. In the words of Dr. Jolly, “Many people don’t realize that they often experience intense anxiety when you’re depressed.”
Benevolent Mind says you may also feel anxious, agitated, and have difficulty eating and sleeping when depressed.
2. Depression can be physical.
Depression affects more than just you emotionally: “Depression is not only psychological, but also physical,” emphasizes Dr. Jolly.
Sometimes, she explained, the first thing you notice is a lack of energy. But things can go further. Dr. Jolly explained that the patient may also suffer from aches and pains, the cause of which seems to be unclear.
As a result, experts believe depression can make you feel pain differently than other people, and depression can make the chronic pain you experience worse.
The patient may experience:
Pain in muscles and joints
– Backache
Headache
chest pain
According to the National Health Service (NHS), you may also experience:
Move or speak more slowly than usual
Changes in appetite or weight (usually decreasing but sometimes increasing)
– constipation
Unexplained pain
lack of energy
Decreased sex drive (loss of libido)
Changes in the menstrual cycle
disturbed sleep (for example, you have difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning)
3. Depression versus sadness
“Depression and sadness are not the same thing,” Dr. Jolie said. “Sadness is just one of the many symptoms of depression.”
She explained that being sad is normal and usually goes away in an instant, “but depression can be long lasting. However, if the feeling of sadness persists and interferes with your life and normal functions, it could be a sign that you are depressed.”
Common symptoms of depression include:
Feeling upset, wanting to cry, or sad
Restlessness or irritability
Feelings of guilt, lack of self-esteem and contempt
Feeling empty
Isolation and inability to communicate with others
You do not find joy in life or in the things you normally enjoy
Feeling unreality
– Despair
Source: Sun
