Depression, also known by the names of clinical depression and major depressive disorder, is a mental health condition that can be severely debilitating. In some cases, yes, it can even be debilitating to count as a disability.
Regarding Social Security Disability benefits, the official position of the Social Security Administration is that you must be “unable to perform any kind of work that you have done previously or for which you could be retrained. This includes being unable to perform any kind of physical labor.”
Depression is a mental health condition, sure, but it also affects your physical health, even though sometimes in an indirect way. It may become difficult to endure eight hours of work, five days a week when in the middle of a depressive episode thanks to some of the symptoms.
Fortunately, there are treatments and resources that can help those suffering from the symptoms of a depressive disorder.
Depression Symptoms
- Feeling sad
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Eating too little or too much
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Slower movement and speech
- Feeling worthless
- Feeling guilty
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble making decision
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Depression Treatment
Social Support
Depression is socially isolating and makes you feel like you have to face everyone completely on your own, with no outside help. It makes it difficult to maintain perspective and makes tasks seem more daunting than they actually are. It will put a significant strain on your professional and personal relationships.
An important step on anyone’s road to recovery is reaching out for support. Support can come in many forms: friends, family, therapy, healthcare, a support group.
The important part of this is knowing that you do not have to face this alone. Millions of people are facing the same problem right now and they may be able to help you along the way.
Find Something You Enjoy
Sure, this seems like an obvious one, but in the middle of a depression, it can be difficult to find anything you have fun doing, even the things you used to consider hobbies. Although it may seem counterintuitive at first glance, sometimes the best way to help yourself is to get out of your comfort zone for a little while and try to have fun in spite of that.
Do not feel like you have to completely discard your comfort zone – it will be there for you when you are ready to return.
Stay Healthy
Mental health is itself just a component of your overall physical health. The brain is one of a number of vital organs. One way to support your mental health is to take care of the rest of your body as well: get eight hours of sleep at night, eat well-balanced meals, and try yoga or meditation to find ways to relieve stress.
Reach Out
Depression treatment may be entering into a new age, thanks to vital new techniques like ketamine infusion therapy. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about this revolutionary treatment.