Depression is common these days. We talk a lot about it, but it might not be what we are thinking of it! Being sad doesn’t mean that you are depressed. Your sadness can be a normal reaction in a given situation. Depression makes you sad, but telling between the two is difficult. That’s what makes the disorder worst. In this article, you will learn what is depression and how to know if you have depression by knowing all about depression.
What is depression?
Depression is severe mental dysfunction, which badly affects your mood, feelings, and overall personality. Although it’s a mental disorder, it also destroys your physical well-being.
Worst about depression
The worst thing about depression is that you can’t tell whether the person sitting in front of you is suffering or not. A happy smiling face might be the victim, while a depressed face might not be. Everyone around knows him or herself better than anyone else. It’s, therefore, necessary to take care of your mental health along with your physical health.
The growth rate of depression
According to WHO, 3.8% of the world’s population is affected by depression. It includes 5%of young adults, while 5.7% of adults above the age of 60. In simple terms, 280 million population worldwide is suffering from this mental illness. In developing countries like Pakistan, the prevalence is quite considerable.
How to know if you have depression?
Signs and symptoms of depression vary among people. The disease is quite common, but it needs special awareness and care to diagnose and deal with this mental illness. Following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of depression to know whether you are depressed or not.
- Unreasonable sadness
- Feeling lonely
- Thoughts of feeling worthless or useless
- Suicidal thoughts
- Unable to work properly
- Lack of interest in daily life
- Lack of appetite
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Loss of self-confidence
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Unable to participate in daily chores
- Feeling drained of energy
- Having no or diminished self-esteem
- Feelings of emptiness or nothingness
- Emotionally drained
- Lack of motivation
- Hopelessness
What are the major causes of depression?
The exact cause of the disease is not known. It occurs due to a variety of factors. Here are some of the major causes of depression:
Genetic
It can be hereditary. People with a family background of depression are more prone to the disease. Often Parents can pass the defeated genes to the offspring, which increases the risk of depression.
Age
Age can also be a factor. It is a belief that older people are at a higher risk of getting mental disorders.
Gender
Women are more prone to depression than men. It might be due to the hormonal problems that they go through during their lifetime.
Medications
Certain medications such as corticosteroids, interferon, or antiviral drugs can also develop depression.
Other illnesses
Depression can also be a side effect of other serious diseases and ailments.
Mental trauma
Other mental health traumas like anxiety disorder can also be the reason.
Addiction or Substance misuse
Statistics show that almost 30% of depression is associated with substance misuse.
Other factors that might cause such a severe mental illness include the financial crisis, loss of loved ones, social isolation, divorce, breakup, marital issues, getting good grades or jobs and conflicts, etc.
Treatment and prevention
Related: Causes of Brain Fog
Treatment and Prevention
Once diagnosed, then the first step should be the treatment. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the disease. Psychological treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, and interpersonal therapy. Medical consultants suggest different antidepressant medications.
The most important thing to fight depression is to bring lifestyle changes. A healthy life is the key to a happy life. Take care of those who are suffering from mental health problems rather than stigmatizing them. Spread positive vibes to lead a happy life.
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