Depression affects more than 6.8 million people across the United States on average. This mental health condition leads to a wide range of symptoms, with one of the most detrimental leading to feelings of being disconnected from the world.
To avoid falling into these negative thoughts, it’s important to learn more about what depression is, its symptoms, and ways to properly manage it. When properly managed, people experiencing depression can overcome these feelings and stay reconnected with their loved ones.
What is Depression?
As one of the most common mental health conditions, depression is a serious illness that affects the way a person feels, thinks, and acts. It leads to negative thoughts as well as long periods of sadness or general disinterest.
Depression is caused by a variety of factors including medication, physical health problems, alcohol consumption, drugs, personality disorders, and even genetics. People may also feel depressed with changes in their hormone levels or imbalances with their neurotransmitters.
Other individuals feel depression at specific times of the year, which is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). These effects usually occur as the winter months come up but are occasionally felt during the summer as well.
Tragic events like losing a family member, getting into a car accident, or suffering an injury may also be depressive triggers. In general, it is difficult for many people to determine the exact cause of their depression.
What are the symptoms of depression?
While general sadness is a common sign, there are many other symptoms of depression. Knowing what depression looks like is key to helping family members or other loved ones in managing their depression.
Some of the most common signs of depression include:
- Constant feelings of sadness
- Sleeping much more often or less often than usual
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Poor self-esteem
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain
- Feelings of isolation
- Lack of interest in hobbies or activities
- Problems with focus or concentration
Depression leads to disconnection in relationships
Along with the other symptoms, another result of depression is the disconnection individuals feel in relationships with their friends or family.
Many people feel so depressed that they disconnect and start to feel numb to emotion. This makes them feel distant from their loved ones and gradually leads to disinterest or a lack of satisfaction. As time progresses, they generally feel less connected in their relationships with each passing day.
When someone with depression is asked questions, they tend to answer with as few words as possible to limit or prevent a longer conversation. In the same way, they may also avoid starting conversations with their loved ones as well. The isolating symptoms of depression often lead individuals to spend a significant amount of time watching TV, looking at their phones, or other individual activities.
Why does depression cause disconnection?
It’s important to understand that depression occurs when there is an imbalance of the body’s hormones and brain chemistry. The fault of this imbalance isn’t typically because of one specific cause or is a result of the person themselves. However, when there is an imbalance in biochemistry, this can cause someone to not have normal thinking patterns, whether they are aware of it or not. The result is that someone can feel “stuck” in these patterns. Someone experiencing depression may not realize the impact they are having on themselves, or those around them because this imbalance is often seen by others as the person not caring. It’s important to remember that these symptoms of depression, including disconnection are a result of a health condition and will likely get better with ongoing treatment.
How to Manage Depression and Reconnect with Loved Ones
If you or someone you love are having feelings of depression, it is essential that you take the necessary steps to prevent the depression from worsening. By following a handful of practices, you’ll be able to reconnect with your loved ones and enjoy the relationships you have with others.
Find or Create Joy
One way to help manage depression is to reconnect with things that once brought you joy. While a common symptom is losing interest in previously enjoyed activities – it’s important to still engage in a daily routine. Think about revisiting old activities you have lost touch with and explore those as a way to mix up your routine.
When possible, create opportunities to feel those things again by going to the place or participating in the activities that made you feel them.
Discover Who You Are
As you see the effects of depression, a great strategy is to identify and cope with past traumas, identify your biggest stressors, and then determine the best ways to combat those feelings. These are great strategies to address with the support of a therapist or outpatient program. Some of the best at home ways to help prevent and combat depression are through activities such as meditation, yoga, mindfulness exercises, or even weekly physical activities such as sports, going to the gym, and dancing.
Prevent Derealization
The concept of derealization is that people begin to feel like the world around them is fake or distorted. They feel disconnected from people, work, school, and even pets.
People on a path toward derealization can stop themselves in a few ways including touching something that is warm or cold and focusing on the sensation. Another common tactic is to focus on one object at a time and clearly define what it is and what it means to them. Even pinching themselves could prevent these issues.
Talk with People Who Are Close to You
People who are struggling with depression may often feel nervous or ashamed to talk about their mental health with loved ones. The more they can discuss what they are feeling or aren’t feeling, the better their chances of reconnecting and seeking appropriate treatment.
Get Professional Depression Treatment
Oftentimes, individuals experiencing depression may feel their symptoms worsen, leading to negative self-talk or even suicidal ideation. It’s important to seek proper management and treatment of depression early on if possible.
Depression treatment programs at Aurora Behavioral Heath System include inpatient and outpatient services. Please get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one.