Depression is a mood disorder which usually affects the day to day life of a person. It is a serious medical illness which usually changes the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. It can contribute to a number of emotional and physical issues, and can impair the ability of a person to function at work and at home.
Everyone once in their life feels sad and low esteemed but feeling hopeless & demotivated on regular basis is a symptom of depression. If this condition is not treated on time with proper medication, this can get worse with time. It can negatively affect children, adult and adolescents.
Symptoms of depression vary in both men and women. Usually men become more aggressive, anxious, hopeless, inability to concentrate, excessive drinking, less sexual desires, pains, headache and others, while in women they start feeling sad or empty, hopeless, & anxious, start withdrawing from social engagements, less energetic, weight changes, increased cramps and others.
There are many different types of depressions which occurs as per the events and situation one have faced in their life. Some of the depression types include:
- Major Depression or Major Depressive Disorders
- Persistent Depressions
- Maniac Depression or Bipolar Disorders
- Depressive Psychosis
- Perinatal Depressions
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Seasonal Depression
- Situational Depression
- Atypical Depression
But now the major question is
‘WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?’
According to some studies, there are no particular reasons for depression but it can be biological or circumstantial and sometimes different factors get combines together which triggers depression. But some of the common factors which enhance the chances of depression are:
- Family Inherited: One is likely to be at the higher risk of depression if one family have the history of depression
- Hormonal Changes: Alterations in hormone levels in the body may lead to inducing or initiating depression
- Physical or Mental Abuse: If a person in their lifetime ever faces in mental, emotional, sexual or physical abuse, there are chances that they start developing the symptoms of depression
- Death or Loss of Closed Ones: The risk of depression increases if a person lost their loved ones as they start feeling empty or sad.
- Childhood Trauma: Any childhood trauma such as physical abuse, loss of parents, emotional abuse or other can impact the brain which also makes a person more prone to depression.
- Social Segregation: Having no family or friends can develop the feeling of emptiness & sadness in person which can also trigger depression.
Other than this there are also many other factors such as serious illness, substance abuse, conflicts, environmental factors, bipolar disorders, drug usage and others which can increases the chances in an individual to develop depression.
Depression is one of the most common problems among teen and young population. Different factors and conditions of life in young people may lead to anxiety and depression. Some of the common circumstances include being bullied, conflicts with family or friends, deaths or loss of loved ones, physical or mental abuse and many more. Because of these factors they start feeling worthless, sad, start drugs or alcohol consumption, irritated, decrease social interactions and many more.
Is depression curable?
Depression cannot be cured but can be treated & its symptoms can be reduced with time but there are still chances of reoccurrence. Not everyone who suffers from depression once have to go through another episode. Reoccurrence usually happens when one feels stressed or sad due to some serious or unexpected event in their life. If such thing happens, one should immediately consult the doctor and start getting the required treatment.
There are also some techniques which will also help prevent the future episodes of the depression. These techniques include:
- Getting sufficient amount of sleep
- Feeling less stressed
- Getting proper treatment
- Proper Exercise
- Maintaining good relationships
There are various treatment options available for betterment of this condition. Treatment can help the one to enhance the quality of life. Some of the common treatment options are:
- Medications
- Exercise
- Psychotherapy
- Brain stimulation therapies
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Acupuncture or Medications
- Avoiding Alcohols or Drugs
Proper treatment and diagnosis will help the patients to decrease the symptoms of depressions and help them to get relief. A health care professional should perform a detailed medical review before a medical diagnosis, such as an interview and probably a physical examination. It is important to consult physician or psychiatrist whenever one goes through any symptoms of depression.
