Depression: Symptoms, Types, Causes and Treatment of Depression

Most of us can name and understand these feelings: sorrow, anxiety, and disinterest in everyday tasks are things we’re all very familiar with. If these feelings remain like this for a long time, then our life has a significant impact.

Adults, teens, and children can all be affected by depression.

What is Depression?

Depression is a common and severe medical condition that has a negative impact on how you feel, think, and act. It is also, thankfully, treatable. Depression triggers disappointment or a lack of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies. It can trigger plenty of emotional and physical issues, as well as a reduction in your ability to function at work and at home.
Most people feel depressed at times. It is a normal response to the loss of life’s challenges. But when intense sadness – which includes feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless – it lasts from several days to weeks and prevents you from living your life in a good way. Sometimes it even lasts for months.

Types of Depression

Depression comes in many creations and forms. Defining the severity of depression – whether it is mild, moderate, or predominant, can be complex.

• Mild and Moderate Depression

The most frequently seen type of depression is known as being mild and moderate. Only mild depression symptoms can affect your daily life, reducing your enjoyment of living. Gradually, those symptoms are exacerbated by moderate depression and can cause a decrease in self-confidence and self-esteem.

• Major Depression

This type of depression is much less common than mild or moderate depression. Major depression usually lasts for about six months, if left untreated.

Some people experience only one depressive episode in their lifetime, but major depression can be experienced again in life.

• Atypical Depression

Atypical depression is a common subtype of major depression with a characteristic symptom pattern. It reacts better to some treatments and medications than others, so it may be helpful to identify it.

Atypical depressed people have a temporary uplift in mood in response to positive events, such as getting good news or going out with friends. Weight gain, decreased appetite, extreme sleepiness, heaviness in the hands and feet, and sensitivity to rejection are all indicators of atypical depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Your mood remains depressed throughout the day, you do not feel like doing anything.

• To start thinking of yourself as useless. You feel tired or lacked energy almost every day.
• To make yourself feel pessimistic.
• You are not able to take any decision easily.
• Either you don’t sleep well, or you sleep too much almost every day.
• Interest in your activities starts to decrease.
• The thoughts of ​​dying or suicide.
• Feeling restless myself.
• Weight loss.
• Loss of appetite.
• Bad thoughts come.

How Symptoms of Depression vary with Gender and Age

Depression often varies by age and gender, with symptoms varying between men and women, or between young people and older adults.

• Depression in men

Depressed men are less likely to accept feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead, they complain of fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and lack of interest in work and hobbies. They are more likely to experience symptoms such as anger, aggression, careless behavior, and substance abuse.

• Depression in women

Women are more likely to experience symptoms of depression such as feelings of guilt, excessive sleepiness, overeating, and weight gain. Depression also affects hormonal factors during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. In fact, delivery time affects 1 in 7 women who experience depression after delivery.

• Depression in Teenage

In adolescents, irritability, anger, and sadness over small things are noticeable symptoms. They may also have a headache, stomach ache, or other physical pain.

• Depression in Adults

Older adults complain more about the physical rather than the emotional signs and symptoms of depression: things like fatigue, pain, and memory problems. They may also neglect their personal appearance and stop taking medicines that are important to their health.

Depression Causes

Depression is caused by a combination of most factors rather than a single factor. For example, if you go through a divorce, a serious medical condition is detected, or you have lost your job, stress can cause you to drink more alcohol, which may cause you to stay away from family and friends. 

Depression can arise after those factors are combined.

The following are examples of risk factors that may make you more susceptible to developing depression:

     Loneliness and Isolation

Loneliness and depression have a clear correlation. Not only can lack of social support increase your risk for depression, but depression can also set you apart from others. Talking with a close friend or family can help you maintain perspective on your issues and deal with problems alone.

     Marital or relationship problem

While having a network of supportive relationships is beneficial to mental health, having a network of complicated, unhappy, or abusive relationships may have the opposite impact, increasing your risk of depression.

    Recent stressful life experiences

Major life changes, such as bereavement, divorce, unemployment, or financial problems can often increase levels of stress.

     Chronic illness or pain

Unbearable pain or a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes can trigger feelings of hopelessness and even depression.

     Personality

Whether your personality traits are inherited from your parents or as a result of life experiences, they can affect your risk of depression. For example, if you are highly anxious, have a negative impact on life, suffer from excessive self-criticism, or suffer from low self-esteem.

    Family history of depression

Since it can run in families, it is likely that some people have a genetic susceptibility to depression. However, there is not a single “depression” gene. Just because a family member is down doesn’t mean you will be as well. Your lifestyle choices, relationships are as important as genetics.

    Childhood trauma or abuse

Early life stressors such as childhood trauma, abuse, or bullying can make you susceptible to many future health conditions, including depression.

    Alcohol or drug abuse

Many people use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate their moods or to deal with stress or difficult emotions. If you are already at risk of depression, consuming alcohol or drugs can push you over the edge. There is also evidence that people who abuse opioid painkillers have a higher risk of depression.

Treatment Methods to Get Out from Depression

When you are depressed, you feel that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. However, there are numerous things you can do to boost and stabilize your mood. The key is to start with a few small goals and build slowly from there, each day you have to practice a little bit. It takes time to feel better, but you can reach there by making positive choices for yourself.

1. Stay in contact with other people – Isolation generates apathy, so stay in touch with friends and loved ones, even if you feel like you are alone or don’t want to be a burden to others. The simple act of talking face to face with anyone can be a huge help in how you feel. They just need to be a good listener – someone who listens to you without being distracted.
   
   
2. Do regular exercise – When you are depressed, it can be difficult to get up from bed. But regular exercise can be effective as an antidepressant in combating the symptoms of depression. Take a walk or put on some music and dance more. Start with small activities.
   
   
3. Take a mood-boosting diet – Reduce the intake of foods that may adversely affect your moods, such as caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, sugar, and refined carbs. Increase the intake of mood-enhancing nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids.
   
   
4. Yoga and Meditation – You should do mediation and yoga on daily basis. It keeps your mind in a peaceful state and keep you away from bad or dirty thoughts like self-harm or suicidal thoughts. 

          Before it gets too late, please consult with the doctor at the earliest, if you feel depressed. 

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