There have been several incidents of violent behaviour, sudden anger expressions and other concerns of unexplained silence. These odd and unpredicted behaviour patterns seen abruptly can be signs of a mental disorder known as depression. It is quite simple, but influences a person heavily from within. They do not want to speak much and are silent for a longer period of time. They think negative about themselves as well as situations. Approximately 40 million adults in the United States have experienced at least one major depressive episode. Not to mention family, friends, or coworkers. National Depression Screening Day is observed on the 10th October every year. It’s important for myriad reasons. Foremost, it can assist in making an informed diagnosis.
Understanding about National Depression Screening Day
Screening can help find depression early. Treating depression early may make recovery faster.
One of the common screening method of depression, measuring severity and behavioural manifestations is Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BDI screening method is used for the people in the age bracket of 13 years to 80 respectively.
This inventory consists of 21 self-report items that are completed by the individuals using multiple choice response formats.
Depression is generally treated with certain form of psychotherapy or by prescribing anti-depressants. The cases of major depression reflects many symptoms together impacting the individual directly. Medical practitioners apply both psychotherapy along with anti-depressants while treating severe depression patients.
The Diagnostic Process for Depression
When an individual shows the depression symptoms for most duration of the day for a consistent period of two weeks, then the depressive disorder can be diagnosed. The prominent symptom can be losing interest in most of the activities or having a depressed mood. Kids and adolescents become irritable, always crying and nagging.
Though several persistent symptoms, besides low mood, are required for a diagnosis of depression, treatment could be beneficial in people with only a few symptoms.
The duration, frequency and severity of the symptoms can vary differently among various people.
If you suspect that you may have depression, talk to a health care provider – such as your family doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. He or she might like to know when the symptoms started, how long the symptoms have been present, how often they occur, and whether they interfere with going out or doing your usual activities. It can be really helpful to write down your symptoms before you go in to see the provider.
Medicines or certain health conditions arising from thyroid disorders or viral infections can create similar symptoms of depressions. However these conditions can be handled by the health experts through personal counselling, physical examination and lab tests respectively.
How to observe National Depression Screening Day
1) Learn something new
The National Depression Screening test offers the chances of hope for the depression patients to offering new ways and possibilities of cure. For the common people it provides a dimension to identify the symptoms and contribute to the cause.
2) Reach out to somebody
Most people probably know somebody suffering from depression. Approach them, communicate clearly with empathy and assure them of your support.
3) Pay your part
Educate yourself on volunteer opportunities. You can also post on social media about your intent of helping people struggling with depression.
The Commonly visible indications and symptoms of depression are:
- Constant feeling of emptiness, anxiety and sorrow.
- Hopelessness or pessimistic attitude
- Irritability‚ restlessness‚ or feeling impatient
- Feeling of guilt‚ worthlessness‚ or hopelessness
- Lack of interest in mind-engaging activities and hobbies.
- Fatigue, loss of energy‚ or feeling slowed down
- Concentration, memory or decision
- Problems sleeping, early awakening, or excess sleeping
- Unexplained weight changes and loss of appetite.
- Muscle aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive disorders that don’t respond to treatment
- Frequently thinking of death or suicide.
Depression can also be characterized based on abrupt changes in mood or behaviour as
- Increased anger or irritability
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Becoming withdrawn, negative, or detached
- Engaged in riskier behaviours
- More impulsive
- Heavy drug usage or alcohol consumption
- Steady reduction in involvement from family and social circles.
- Fails to meet responsibilities or neglect other crucial roles
- Difficulty with the sex drive and performance
Depression can appear at varying degrees in people across several age ranges.
- Children may be anxious or cranky, feign illness, refuse to attend school, cling to a parent, or be concerned that a parent will die.
- Older children and adolescents may have problems at school, be sullen, and display easy irritability, restlessness, or low self-esteem. They can also have comorbid conditions such as anxiety, eating disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or substance use disorders. Older children and adolescents also have hypersomnia, which is excessive sleepiness, and hyperphagia, which is an increase in appetite.
- Adolescents are more irritable, complaint of weight gain and hypersomnia and have negative attitudes towards life and the future. They often exhibit other disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, or substance use disorder.
- More instances of depressive states, reduced sexual desire and middle-of-the-night insomnia or early morning wakefulness. Some often report middle age complaints of stomach-related problems like diarrhoea or constipation.
Toward a Happy and Rewarding World
Human beings experience adversities that overwhelm a person and lead to depression. Therefore, such patients and people should be observed and identified with such symptoms of depression. A communication that involves patient counselling and an empathetic approach toward getting the new and different activities going builds up their mood and uplifts them. Initiatives like National Depression Screening Day help us to make a difference in the lives of many people and help them in having happy and positive lives. It should not be confined to this day alone. Instead, we should go on with our efforts on a regular basis and help maximum people we can. Let’s take a step forward.
