Depression symptoms are not easily recognizable as it’s an ongoing process. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 264 million people affected. Depression is different from short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life and may become a serious health problem.
We all feel sad and low on many days and avoid other people’s company. But when feeling low gradually becomes a part of the routine, it might become dangerous. Unknowingly, it becomes the cause of depression and then gives rise to other serious problems. So, it’s always advisable to have a clear knowledge about this disease and other problems associated with it.
In this article, you’ll find depression symptoms, causes, types, and treatment for better understanding.
Depression Symptoms are Typical
Many of us feel sad, depressed, and low self-esteemed at times, which is normal. There are some situations in life when we get upset or angry about things. You might think that ups and downs are a part of life and the graph fluctuates every day. But have you ever felt that your graph is low on most of the days? If yes, then it might be a sign of depression and it’s time to seek medical help.
The normal fluctuations in mood are different from depression and caused by different reasons in our day to day life. Depression is an illness so menacing that it tortures a person from inside. It is such a vicious disease that the person suffering ultimately loses his control over his mind and body. It consists of mood disorders that last for about weeks, months, or even years.
The most common symptoms of depression include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty in decision making
- Agitation
- Persistent thoughts about death or suicide
- Loss of concentration
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain or loss
- Change in behavior
- Anxiety
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Withdrawal from people
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Feeling of guilt
A person suffering from depression will have at least five of the above-mentioned symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking help is the only cure for depression. If you experience any of these symptoms make sure to consult a doctor and talk about it.
Types of Depression Symptoms
Major Depression
This is the case when a person feels depressed on most of the days of a week. The symptoms are mild and talk therapy can help.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
If a person has depression that lasts for more than 2 years, then the condition is called a persistent depressive disorder or chronic depression. It can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both.
Bipolar Disorder
In this type of depression, a person experiences highs and lows in his mood conditions. Either he is extremely happy or depressingly sad on several occasions and the doctor might suggest him a mood stabilizer.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This type of depression may arise only in the winter season when a person receives less sunlight. But is usually goes away with the months of spring and summer.
Psychotic Depression
In psychotic depression, a person suffers from major depression but has some psychotic symptoms. It includes hallucinations, false beliefs, and paranoia i.e. believing that someone is trying to harm him.
Situational Depression
It is very common and can happen to anyone due to some bad life events. The causes may include the death of a loved one, unemployment, relationship problem, and many more. Psychotherapy is the best treatment in such a case.
Causes of Depression
There is no verified list of causes of depression. However, different people have different causes of depression and it varies on several factors. Moreover, it’s not easy to determine the cause of depression in a person.
Here’s a list of possible causes of depression in a person:
- Mental health problems
- Biological factors
- Environmental factors
- Genetical factors
- Psychological factors
- Stressful life events
- Chronic medical illness
- Excessive drug use
Apart from all these factors, there are certain mild signs of depression which if ignored, cause prolonged depression. Also, overthinking about bad events of life and ruminating about them can leave a negative impact on a person’s mind.
Whatever the cause be, if a person doesn’t feel alright, he must talk to a health practitioner. Then he should visit a mental health expert and tell him about his feelings. Speaking out to a person can ease the burden on one’s chest and reduce complications.
Depression Treatment
It is advised that as soon as a person experiences early signs of depression, he should consult a doctor. Though there are not a lot of people who are concerned about their mental health, we should talk about it. Taking care of mental health is as important as physical health and is mandatory.
Moreover, there are three types of treatment for depression. They are:
- Medication
The doctors might prescribe you a list of antidepressants to reduce the complications. However, drug treatment has its disadvantages as it can result in some side effects like diarrhea, nausea, etc. Some drugs start working as soon as a person takes it whereas some take a lot of time. As soon as a person stops taking medication, his health starts deteriorating. So, it’s always advised to take these drugs only on a doctor’s prescription and for the suggested duration of time.
- Support
Support includes working on practical solutions and guiding the family and educating them. The emotional support of family members and friends can be extremely fruitful especially when a person is going through a hard time. Sometimes it’s good to pour out your heart to someone you trust and it works as a therapy.
- Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy or counseling, it refers to talking to a psychiatrist or a psychologist for the treatment of mental illness. In this type of treatment, a person learns about his moods, behavior, and mental health. Psychotherapy varies from person-to-person based on individual situations. It assists you in taking control of your life and coping with the difficult times in life.
Based on the type of treatment needed, a person seeks help and tries to overcome the problem of depression. He might go through difficult times and have suicidal thoughts but eventually, therapy will help.
It’s okay not to be okay sometimes but when you feel unhappy and stressed on most days, it’s not okay. You might take it lightly and say, “Maybe it’s my destiny to not be happy in life” or “Maybe I’m unlucky, that’s why bad things happen to me”. But at least for once, stop blaming your life and come up with a different approach. Calm yourself and think about the reasons that make you upset and try to analyze the factors disturbing you. Seek help and talk to your loved ones. Your mental health should be your priority and the rest of the things can wait.