Personas of social media were once built on illusions of happy lives, but now that has just become so 2017. Today, you’re trending only if you’re sad online — every post must be accompanied by a self-deprecating caption, and you should be retweeting as many depression-related posts that you can find online.
Did We Ever Need an Online Sad Revolution?
Filing the case under social anxiety is becoming a tactic to redefine being cool rather than an outlet for people to speak about their mental health. It’s much like ‘having anxiety’ or ‘being depressed’ has become the newest craze, a competition to see just how much sadness consumed the person.
Unfortunately, the haste has made us forget the difference between rightfully diagnosing a mental illness and just feeling under the weather. People are quick to label their nervousness as anxiety and their sadness as depression. We’re indeed facing more mental health conditions today than ever before — over 7.1 percent of American adults experienced a major depressive disorder in 2017, and the numbers have only grown as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the wrongful self-diagnoses of anxiety, depression, anorexia, and bipolar may do the generation more harm than good.
Sadness and Depression are Not the Same
Sadness and depression are most definitely interlinked, but they aren’t the same. Sadness is a naturally occurring human emotion that all human beings are subject to experience during their lifetime, but it eventually fades away when the pain subsidizes. Some common causes of sadness include poor relationships with loved ones, struggling in the workplace, or dealing with an illness. In most cases of sadness, minor lifestyle changes may be recommended to the patient, such as connecting with friends or frequently engaging in physical activities or meditation.
Depression, on the other hand, is a mental health disorder that impairs occupational and social areas of functioning. It may be caused due to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, certain medications, loss of a loved one, gender identity crisis, or with age. The symptoms of depression last for a fairly long while when left untreated. It causes irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating, unwarranted guilt, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, fluctuations in sleeping patterns, as well as physical symptoms. Even though depression is treatable, it requires major lifestyle changes, such as therapy and medication.
The Relationship between Anxiety and Depression
Although anxiety and depression are different mental health conditions, they can occur together. Anxiety is a reaction to stress that involves feelings of anxiousness or nervousness, whereas depression is a lingering sad, low, or hopeless mood. This disorder is usually presented with discomfort, sweating, trembling, increased heart rates, a sense of impending danger, hyperventilation, trouble concentrating, and muscle weakness. You may experience anxiety when trying out something new, while making important decisions, or before making major life events.
However, things get a tad more serious when anxiety occurs as a symptom of clinical depression. Patients may experience changes in sleeping patterns and energy levels, increased visibility, trouble memorizing, focusing, or concertation, and aches and pain with no clear cause. The good news is that both the health conditions may improve with medication, psychological counseling, and antidepressants.
Manage Your Depression, Sadness, and Anxiety
First things first, allow yourself to identify and name what you are feeling. Maintain a routine to promote your sense of control or do one thing every day that you have absolute control over. It’s also important to eat balanced meals and get a good night’s sleep to keep your body from worsening the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Most importantly, reach out to loved ones and make time for things you enjoy doing.
However, if you notice your situation getting worse by the day, it’s best to consult a therapist for acceptance and commitment therapy or problem-solving therapy.
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