Does the appearance of depressive symptoms indicate the onset of depression? |When facing some life stress events, we may experience feelings of depression and frustration. If our emotions worsen, we may also experience some depressive symptoms, such as insomnia and fatigue. At this point, some friends may start to worry about whether they have depression. Especially the recent false reports on the prevalence of depression on the internet have exacerbated people's concerns about depression. In fact, this kind of concern is wrong. Having depressive emotions and symptoms does not necessarily mean suffering from depression. Depressive emotions, depressive symptoms, and depression are three different concepts that cannot be confused. What is depressive mood? Emotion is a psychological activity mediated by the desires and needs of the subject, and depression is a very common emotion. Various events in life, such as exam failures, high work pressure, and strained interpersonal relationships, can trigger depression, which is an indispensable adaptive response that humans have preserved in the process of evolution. Moderate depression can remind us to rest in a timely manner, conserve and restore energy, adjust our state, and at the same time, help us send out "distress signals" and gain the care and support of others. Depressive emotions usually last for a short period of time and can be alleviated through relaxation, exercise, and talking. What are depressive symptoms? If depression does not subside in the short term, it may trigger depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms often manifest as an imbalance in emotions, cognition, and behavior, manifested as low mood, anxiety, irritability, negative cognition (such as feeling worthless), sleep disorders (such as insomnia, early awakening, and drowsiness), and physical symptoms (such as changes in appetite and weight). But these symptoms are not irreversible, they are just stage reactions under stress, which can gradually improve through active regulation or seeking professional help. What is depression? Depression (depressive disorder) is a type of mood disorder caused by multiple factors, characterized by significant and persistent depressive symptoms, which are more severe than depressive emotions and symptoms. To make a preliminary judgment on whether you have depression, you can use the following three perspectives as a reference: the duration of depression lasts for more than 2 weeks, and depressive symptoms occur every day. Severe depression can cause subjective pain and affect normal work, study, and interpersonal communication. Exclusion criteria: Some physical illnesses may also cause symptoms similar to depression, and the possibility of physical and physiological problems needs to be ruled out. If you are truly concerned about developing depression, please seek timely medical attention at a reputable psychiatric hospital. Through professional treatment, the symptoms of depression patients can usually improve and gradually recover. (New Society)