What Are Depressive Episodes?
A major depressive episode doesn’t just mean “I got sad because a bad thing happened.” While life changes can cause a depressive episode, an episode itself goes well above and beyond regular, appropriate sadness. A major depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks of low mood. People with major depressive disorder usually experience low self-esteem and low energy. They often lose interest in things that they enjoy and things that interest them. Which is really disheartening, in and of itself. The things that a person normally uses to restore themselves when they feel bad no longer do anything for them.
A depressive episode disrupts a person’s day-to-day life. It affects their work performance, their sleep, their eating habits, and their health. People with severe depression may isolate themselves, or have difficulty dealing with basic acts of self-care. Thoughts of suicide are not uncommon, and neither are attempts. Depression is complicated, but the good news is that we've studied it a lot and we have treatments for it. We know a lot about the biology and brain chemistry behind depression, and we can treat it with medication. When someone is experiencing depression the answer isn’t as simple as “cheer up,” or “go outside.” But there are certain cognitive and behavioral therapies that can sometimes be effective - when used alongside medication.
Image: Jordan Whitfield, via Unsplash.
Did you know...
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.