Depression is perhaps one of the most common mental health problems affecting one in every four adult to some degree. It is a medical illness that causes persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. In some cases, depression can also cause physical symptoms also called as major depression.
Major depressive disorder and clinical depression basically affects how you feel, think and behave. It can also lead you to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Due to it you may face difficult in performing normal day-to-day activities and will make you feel life isn’t worth living.
Always remember, depression isn’t a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply get out of. It is a chronic illness that usually requires long-term treatment, similar as diabetes or high blood pressure. Fortunately, there is nothing serious to be worried about. Many people suffering with depression feel better medication, psychological/counseling or other treatments. During the diagnosis in case if you exhibit any five of the follow symptoms the then condition can be justified and needs to be helped.
- Having a depressed mood most of the time of the day
- A remarkable decrease of interest in almost all the activities
- Sudden significant change in weight and appetite
- Sleep disorder (insomnia or excessive sleep)
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation (restlessness)
- Feeling lack energy
- Chronic tiredness
- Feeling of inadequate, selflessness, and low self-esteem
- Decrease of ability to concentrate and think clearly
- Persistent thought of death or suicide or express desire to die
Common symptoms of depression
It may be difficult to detect depression to detect from the outer appearance of a person. But for people who experience major depression, then it may affect you in multiple ways. Usually the symptoms of clinical depression represent a significant change in the way your body functions. Here are some of the key areas where depression may lead to cause major changes in your body.
Changes in sleep – In some cases the person may face difficulty in falling asleep / staying asleep. On the other hand, some people experiencing depression sleep excessively.
Change in appetite – People under depression experience change in their appetite may there is a sudden increase or decries in the person’s appetite.
Lack of concentration – When a person is under serious depression he/she may not be able to grasp the threat of a simple newspaper article or a plot of a 30 minutes TV show.
Loss of energy – Mental speed and activity are frequently reduced in people suffering from depression as is their ability to perform normal daily routine.
Lack of interest – They loss interest in formerly enjoyable activities and seems to be boring and unrewarding due to depression and the ability to feel and offer love is slowly diminished or lost.
Low self-esteem – a person under depression often dwells on memory loss or failure and feels excessive helplessness and guilt.
Helplessness and guilt factor – Helplessness is a very strong symptom of depression that often comes in the mind of a person suffering from depression which can never be improve and this feeling leads them to the thoughts of suicide.
Movement changes – A depressed person may literally look “slowed down” and physically exhausted or alternatively, activated and disconcerted.
Cause of depression
The exact cause of depression is still unknown. Similar to other mental illnesses, it appears a variety of causes that may be concerned. These include;
Biological differences – A person suffering from depression appears to have certain physical changes in their brain. Although the significance of this change are still uncertain but eventually will be able to pinpoint its causes.
Neurotransmitters – They are naturally occurring brain chemicals that are linked to mood are considered to play a direct role in our depression.
Hormones – Change in the hormonal balance may involve causing or triggering depression. Hormonal change may result in some other problems such as menopause, thyroid problems, or a number of other unhealthy conditions.
Inherited traits –This condition can be common among people have family member also having this condition. Researchers are trying to find out the genes that may be involved in causing depression.
Life events – in life we face certain events such as death or loss of a loved one, financial crises, high level of stress, can also trigger that person in depression.
Any childhood trauma – A traumatic event during childhood such as abusing, loss of parents, may develop or cause a permanent change in the brain if that child and make him more sensitive to depression.
Risk factors
The problem of depression often begins in the teens, 20’s or 30’s, but generally it can happen at any age. Women are two time more liable to suffer from this then men. This may be because women are more likely to seek treatment for depression. Although nobody until now has been able to recognize its main cause as there are certain causes that risk of developing or triggering depression including;
- Have biological relative suffering from depression
- Having a traumatic childhood
- Being a women
- Having family members or friends who have been depressed
- Facing stressful events in life such as death of a loved one
- Having very few friend or non-happening personal life
- Recent pregnancy
- Suffering from some serious illness such as health diseases, cancer, Alzheimer, cancer, and HIV/AIDS
- Facing a personal trial such as low self-esteem, being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
- Being drug addict, alcoholic, or a chain smoker
- On taking medication such as; high blood pressure, sleeping pills or certain other medications.
Treatments and drugs
There are numerous depression treatments available in the market such as medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) that are very effective. Here’s are some of the popular and widely used depression treatment options.
Medications
A number of antidepressant medications are available to treat depression that are Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), Vagus nerve stimulation, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Atypical antidepressants, Tricyclic antidepressants, Other medication strategies, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Psychotherapy, etc.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Depression is not an illness that you can treat on your own but do some things for yourself to help overcome. Along with the professional help follow these self-care tips; Pay attention to warning signs, Stick to your treatment plan, Learn about depression, Get plenty of sleep, Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs, and Get exercise.