Depression is a long term medical
condition. It is very different from sadness. Sadness is actually a small part
of depression, Smith said. Some people who have depression don’t even
experience sadness, she said. Instead, they experience anhedonia (a loss of
interest or pleasure in activities they previously enjoyed).
Major depression is the most common psychiatric
disorder. According to the World
Health Organization, it is the leading cause
of disability worldwide among people aged 5 years and older. About 10% of men and
25% of women experience major depression at some time in their lives. Approximately
20 million people a year suffer depressive illness in the U.S., where the negative
impact of this disease on the economy is estimated at $16 billion annually.
Feeling depressed can be
a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or an injured self-esteem. But
when feelings of intense sadness
-- including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless -- last for many days to
weeks and keep you from functioning normally, your depression may be something more than sadness.
The most recognizable symptom of
depression is sadness, according to Stephanie Smith, PsyD, a psychologist in
practice in Erie, Colo.
When we think of depression as
the same as sadness, we minimize the illness. We don’t realize the many other
debilitating symptoms depression creates. We expect people to get over it
quickly. But people with depression don’t. (In order to be diagnosed with
depression, you must experience symptoms for at least two weeks.)
Most people with depression will not
have all the symptoms listed below, but most will have at least five or six.
- Feeling unhappy most of the time (but you may feel a
little better in the evenings).
- Losing interest in life and can't enjoy anything.
- Finding it harder to make decisions.
- Can't cope with things that you are used to.
- Feeling tired regularly.
- Feeling restless and agitated.
- Losing appetite and weight (some people find they do
the reverse and put on weight).
- Taking 1-2 hours to get off to sleep, and then wake
up earlier than usual.
- Losing interest in sex.
- Losing your self-confidence.
- Feeling useless, inadequate and hopeless.
- Avoiding other people.
- When you are easily irritated.
- Feeling worse at a particular time each day, usually
in the morning.
- Thinking of suicide.
- Committing suicide.
There are a number of factors that
may increase the chance of depression. They include:
Abuse
Past physical, sexual,
or emotional abuse can increase the vulnerability to clinical depression later
in life.
Certain medications
Some drugs, such as Accutane
(used to treat acne), and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of
depression.
Conflict
Depression in someone who
has the biological vulnerability to develop depression may result from personal
conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
Major events
Even good events such as
starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So
can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. However, the
syndrome of clinical depression is never just a "normal" response to
stressful life events.
Other personal problems
Problems such as social
isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social
group can contribute to the risk of developing clinical depression.
Serious illnesses
Sometimes depression co-exists
with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition
Substance abuse
Nearly 30% of people
with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.
Death or a loss
Sadness or grief (from the
death or loss of a loved one), though natural, may increase the risk of
depression.
Genetics
A family history of
depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex
trait, meaning that there are probably many different genes that each exert
small effects, rather than a single gene that contributes to disease risk.
How
to deal with depression
Depressed mood may not require any
professional treatment, and may be a normal reaction to certain life events, a
symptom of some medical conditions, or a side effect of some drugs or medical
treatments. A prolonged depressed mood, especially in combination with other
symptoms, may lead to a diagnosis of a psychiatric or medical condition which
may benefit from treatment. Consult a psychiatrist if you or someone close to
you thinks there is a need for it.
The tips below have been shown to
help:
·
Don’t keep bad news to yourself. Share it with
someone you trust.
·
Get enough sleep.
·
Avoid alcohol and cannabis. (Alcohol is a depressant. It causes an initial
excitation – that is why after having a few drinks, some people start talking
more than they want to - Drinking a lot depresses the brain and may lead to depression).
·
Go out and have fun.
·
Make your room colourful (nice flowers will do).
Bright colours have been shown to prevent depression.
·
Do you think there is a cause for your
depression? Tackle the cause.
Thanks for reading. please drop your comments/suggestions below.
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