What is Depression
Depression is a mental illness that results in a constant sense of sadness and boredom. It impacts how you feel, think and behave and can cause a variety of physical and mental issues.
It is also known as clinical depression or major depressive disorder. You might struggle with performing routine daily tasks, and you might occasionally think that life isn’t worthwhile.
Depression is more than a case of the blues, it’s not an indication of weakness, and you can’t just snap out of that too. The treatment of depression may be ongoing. Don’t giveup, though. Medication, psychotherapy, or a mixture of the two usually helps depressed individuals feel better.
Symptoms of Depression
Although you might only experience depression once in your lifetime, most people experience multiple episodes. Throughout these incidents, symptoms can include any of the following and may last for the majority of the day:
- Sadness, tears, meaninglessness, or a sense of futility
- Irrational behaviour, irritation, or unhappiness, even over trivial issues
- loss of enjoyment or interest in the majority of everyday activities, including sex, hobbies, and sports
- sleep disorders, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Due to fatigue and a lack of energy, even simple tasks require more effort.
- Weight loss and decreased appetite, or excess weight and increased cravings for food
- A feeling of unease, agitation, or worry
- Problems with memory, concentration, decision-making, and thought
- thoughts of death, or other suicidal behaviour on a regular basis or repeatedly
Causes of Depression
What specifically causes depression is unknown. Many different factors could be at play, just like with numerous psychological illnesses, including:
- People with blood relatives who also suffer from this condition are more likely to experience depression.
- There are visible physiological differences in the brains of those who are depressed.
- Neurotransmitters are organic neurochemicals that probably contribute to depression.
- Depression may be brought on by or triggered by changes in the hormone body’s hormonal balance.
Treatment of Depression
The majority of depressed people find relief from their symptoms with medication and psychotherapy. However, consulting a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health experts can also be beneficial for many depressed people.
There are many different types of medications on the market today that can treat this condition. But since some medicines take some time to fully take effect, this will require some patience. You should always speak with your physician before taking any medication.
Dr. Rahul Mathur
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist