What is Depression?
Depression is a serious medical condition. It is characterised as a mood disorder that involves a continuous feeling of sadness and loss of interest in almost everything that affects the normal everyday life of a person. Chronic depression is called dysthymia. In dysthymia, depression symptoms can occur for a long period of time, usually for more than a couple of years. Depression and anxiety can also occur together.
Remember, depression is different from mood swings and feeling low, which regularly happen as a part of life.
Signs and Symptoms
Depression can have multiple symptoms. The majority of them appear and disappear.
Men and women experience depression differently.
Depression in men:
● Moodswings: anger, aggressiveness and restlessness
● Feelingempty and hopeless
● Excessive alcohol consumption and drugs
● Getting tired quickly
● Suicidal thoughts
● Reduced sexual desires and capabilities
● Unable to focus or concentrate
● Unable to deliver given work
● Insomnia, restless sleep or excessive sleep
● Fatigue, digestive problems and headache
● Anxiety
● Engaging in high-risk activities
● Excessive eating
Symptoms of depression in women
● Moodswings: irritability
● Feeling low, hopeless ness and anxious
● Loss of interest in daily chores
● Suicidal thoughts
● Disturbed sleep cycle: excessive sleep, restless sleep or insomnia
● Ability to think and talk decreases
● Weight fluctuations
● Increase inbody cramps
● Anxiety
Causes
Causes of depression can be biological, situational, environmental orpsychological. Often, the cause of depression is associated with other problems in your life.
Depression can also be caused by:
● Family history of depression or other mood disorders
● Bipolar disorder
● Fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels in the brain
● Triggers due to childhood trauma
● Less activeness of the frontal lobe of your brain
● Medications
● Conditions like insomnia, chronic disorders, attention-deficithyperactivity disorder
● Drugs and alcohol
● Low self-confidence or self-esteem
● Failures
● Personal life stresses like loss of loved ones, divorce, or financial troubles
Treatments
Depression is a treatable condition, and it does require treatment like anyother disease.
Treatment involves a combination of therapies and medicines along with self-care and family support.
● Psychotherapy: A psychologist or a therapist can help you cope with unwanted suicidal or negative thoughts. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), light therapy, meditation are part of these sessions.
● Medication: Antidepressants, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic medications can be prescribed by the psychiatrist.
● Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise.
