Depression

Today’s world is like a race, everyone is chasing something new or different. This might give you a hectic life, mental pressure. As a result, it might lead you to a medical illness called depression – major depressive disorder. Depression is not like a seasonal disease and doesn’t have any age limit. People of every age might suffer from it including children. But adults ages 30 to 60 have more responsibilities with no relief which can trigger it. Depression causes constant sadness, loneliness, and loss of interest and pleasure in activities. It is one of the reasons for the increasing suicide rate. So, what are the cause, symptoms, and treatment of depression?

What are the causes of depression?

We all have heard about depression, So, what leads a person to it? “Prevention is better than cure”, Knowing the cause might help us to prevent it. Lots of things can increase the chance of depression-like:

Harassment / abuse:

Any action that intentionally harms people (physical or mental) is abuse. Abuse has a direct negative effect on mental health. Fear, isolation, and distrust are some immediate emotional effects of abuse. This results in long-term psychological consequences. It also triggers low self-esteem, trouble forming and maintaining relationships.

Age / Gender:

Anyone going through a major life change might be a victim. Depression can occur at any age. But, the 18 – 29 age group has the highest percentage (21%) to suffer from the symptom. In teens (adolescents’ period), it might be the result of growing stress, and anxiety. Change in the hormone might cause women to be more depressed than men.

Medications:

The drugs like Accutane, alcohol, Antabuse, Anticonvulsants can cause depression. Medicine like beta-blockers for blood pressure is involved in depression. Medication like anticholinergic for loss of appetite might result in mood fluctuations.

Constant or misuse of these sorts of chemicals might lead to short or long-term changes in the brain. This results in severe mental problems like hallucination, unnecessary aggression, and many more. People addicted to drugs are more likely to be diagnosed with other mental disorders.

Genetic:

There is near about 40% of chance of heritability for depression. If genes interact with one another. It might contribute to various types of depression in the family. The combination of genetic factors may also cause bipolar and anxiety disorders.

Chronic pain/illness:

In some cases, chronic illnesses are also the reason for depression. A long-time illness that can’t be cured properly like diabetes, HIV are chronic illnesses. This sort of condition might lead to depressed feelings. Yet, this illness can be controlled with proper diet and daily exercise.

Serious life event:

Some sad events like death or loss of loved ones, though common and natural, might push one into grief. Though it is normal it might severely affect a person’s mind which might take a worse turn of alone – feeling. Social isolation is also a risk for behavioral changes and many more.

Also, read how to improve your personality?

Mental Health

What are the symptoms of Depression?

If you are not happy and sad then it is not compulsory that you are suffering from depression. So, how to be sure? Diagnosis can be done through these symptoms.

Hopeless feeling:

Having a hopeless and helpless outlook is one of the most common symptoms. Recurring thoughts may appear like “It’s my fault”, “I am useless”. A sense of self-hate, worthlessness and inappropriate guilt increases the risk.

Increased fatigue and sleep problems:

One loses interest or stops doing things one enjoys is because of tiredness. An increase in tiredness results in excessive sleep. The absence of quality sleep can also lead to anxiety. The feeling of fatigue and loss of energy are other common symptoms.

Anxiety:

Anxiety is equal to mental pressure. Depression hasn’t been shown to cause anxiety but anxiety has been shown to depression. These two conditions often occur together. Some symptoms of anxiety are

• Rapid heart rate and breathing
• Trembling
• Lack of sleeping
• Nervousness, feeling tense
• One can feel danger, panic, or dread
• difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
• Excessive Sweating

Irritability:

Symptoms of depression might be different for different sex. Professionals say that irritability, substance abuse, misplaced anger are common in men with depression. It is found that there are fewer men than women to recognize or seek treatment for depression.

Change in weight and appetite

Fluctuation of weight and appetite for depressed people is common. Some might gain weight while others won’t be hungry and lose appetite. The extra tense feeling might also reduce the weight. This experience might not be the same for all people.

Uncontrollable emotion:

In simple words, maximum mood swings can be the result of depression. For example, there is an outburst of anger in one moment and suddenly laughing uncontrollably in another moment.

What is the treatment of Depression?

Depression is curable. Usually, there are three options of treatment. We can treat depression in the following ways:

Support:

Emotional support from family members and friends is essential to build confidence. This helps the patient to stop intense negative thinking. However, it might not be useful for all levels of depression.

Psychotherapy

This therapy is basically consulting a doctor in order to treat your mental health. psychotherapy helps to know about your mood, feeling, thoughts, and behaviors.

Brain stimulation Therapies:

This treatment is usually for major depression. This process involves activating the brain directly by electricity. During this process, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation sends magnetic pulses to the brain.

Exercise and proper diet:

Depressed people are suggested to do aerobic exercise. It raises endorphin levels and stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine which keeps our hearts and minds healthy.

In a study, it has been seen that food with proper vitamins and nutrition helps to cure depression. The diet includes:

• Fruit
• Fish
• Vegetables
• Olive oil

Medication:

The drug, Antidepressants helps to treat moderate to severe depression.

Some Antidepressants

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Atypical antidepressants
• Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Note: Consume these drugs with doctor concerns only!

Sharing and showing your feeling both suits you and your mental health.

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