Am I Depressed Or Sad?

Millions of people globally experience the same combination of emotions, but how you deal with them determines how you function day to day. With the right therapy or medicine like ketamine, you can regain control and lead a fulfilling life.

What is depression?

The American Psychiatric Association calls depression a “common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.” Its symptoms can be dangerous if ignored.

What is sadness?

Sadness means you’re feeling down or unhappy in response to discouragement, grief, or disappointment, and if it continues it may indicate you’ve slipped into depression. Sadness is a natural response to certain situations and can end up a positive experience. But if such feelings persist, become excessive or consume every minute of every day, they could take control of your life. Feelings of sadness and depression are manageable with therapy and medicine such as ketamine.

Symptoms of depression

The constant feeling of sadness or lost interest in favored pastimes that describes major depression may lead to different behavioral and physical signs. These can include changes in appetite, concentration, daily behavior, energy level, sleep, or self-esteem.

Other symptoms may include:

Having angry outbursts, being easily irritated or frustrated, even over trivial matters
You’re tired and exhibit a lack of energy, so even minor tasks take extra energy
You’re haunted by feelings of worthlessness or guilt, focusing on self-blame or past failures
You have problems thinking, concentrating, decision-making and recalling memories

A natural cure for depression?

The science at times is murky, but some evidence suggests there are natural ways to fight depression. Before trying any natural or dietary supplements, ask your doctor or therapist for a recommendation and whether they’ll cause dangerous health reactions. Here are some possible remedies to ask about.

St. John’s wort, which may help mild to moderate depression
S-adenosylmethionine, also known as SAMe, which is a dietary supplement that is a synthetic form of a naturally occurring chemical in the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids in foods like cold-water fish, flax oil, flaxseed, walnuts, and some other foods.
Saffron, a spice made from the Crocus sativus flower.
Folic acid and vitamin B found in beans, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, and fortified bread and cereals.
Chamomile tea
Passionflower
Kava
Lavender
Lemon balm

How to fight sadness

It’s okay to feel sad. Avoid burying your feelings, “where they can do more damage with time. Cry if you feel like it.” Notice if tears bring relief.
Keep a journal, enjoy music, spend time with loved ones, and use art to express your sadness.
Keep your sad feelings in context without being judgmental.
Realize that emotions like sadness come and go, the same as different life experiences.
Be aware of sadness turning into depression.

You might be, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The World Health Organization says depression affects about 264 million people globally and is a key source of disability. The key to treating depression is understanding symptoms, their triggers, and how you react when your emotions are out of whack.

Diagnosis for depression

The steps involved for diagnosis are:

A physical exam to discover a possible cause for symptoms, and to check your overall health
A psychological evaluation to review mental health and personal and family history of depression
Comparison of your symptoms of depression with criteria in the DSM-5

The power of ketamine

Since the medicine was synthesized in 1962, doctors, scientists, and many others suspected that ketamine’s therapeutic properties could help soothe the worst symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, other mental health conditions, and discomfort associated with chronic pain and similar ailments. They were correct, as years of study revealed ketamine’s unique regenerative properties. According to Dr. John Krystal of Yale, taking the medicine “triggers reactions in your cortex that enable brain connections to regrow.”

Final thoughts

An innovative new treatment option, ketamine started as a fast-acting anesthetic and pain reliever. Research in the last two decades has shown that ketamine is a powerful new tool for the treatment of depression.

Ketamine works to stimulate the growth and regrowth of neurotransmitters in the brain, essentially rewriting the parts of the brain causing distress. Up to 70% of patients may be able to find relief from the symptoms of depression after a series of IV ketamine infusions.