We all go through a hard phase in our lives at some point or the other and because of this people go into depression. Depression has become a very common problem in today’s stressful life. 21 million adults are affected by depression today. This can happen to any person irrespective of their religion, color, age, or gender. Mostly when men get depressed, they start becoming very aggressive and when women get depressed, then they start being sad. In depression, it feels like you are alone, there is no light in your life, it is empty darkness.

Due to this, people start feeling very sad, demotivated, and alone and they feel that they are not able to earn anything. This doesn’t need to happen to those who are less financially strong but it also happens to those people who have everything i.e. they are living a healthy life.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION 

Depression can happen in several ways. Some of the most common symptoms of depression are:

• Constant sadness, tearfulness, or emptiness
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
• Changes in interest, cravings, and demand.
• Instant weight gain or weight loss
• Disturbances in sleep (insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Fatigue or low-energy
• Difficulty in activities related to concentration or decision-making
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Having dark thoughts, such as about dying or wishing they could disappear.
• Stomach aches, headaches, and chronic pains for no reason.
• Changes in activity (i.e. restlessness, slowed movements, or speech)
• Changes in mood such as low mood, angry outbursts, or irritability
• Less social engagements or interactions
• Having thoughts of harming themselves or suicide.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

1. Medical conditions

Some medical patients have Chronic pain and chronic conditions like diabetes have a high chance of suffering from problems.

2. Medication

Some medications can cause side effects such as depression. Also, Substance use, including alcohol, can cause depression or make it worse.

3. Genetics and Family History

Our genetic and family history can increase the likelihood of developing certain mental health conditions. If parents are patients of this problem, then there is a high chance that the child suffers from this too.

4. Childhood Trauma and Abuse

Growing up in an abusive, toxic, or unsafe environment can significantly impact its mental health and this develops a risk of causing this later in life. These experiences can harm normal childhood development and affect how the brain responds to stress.

TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

This problem is one of the problems which can be treatable. Approximately 80% to 90% of people with depressed lifestyle who seek treatment have responded well to treatment.

Treatment options include:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves talking with a mental health professional. One’s therapist should help them to identify and change their unhealthy emotions, thoughts, and behaviours.

Medication

Pre-scripted medicine called antidepressants can help change the brain chemistry of an individual that causes this. There are several different types of antidepressants available, but it takes time to figure out the one that’s best for different individuals.

Complementary medicine

This involves treatments along with traditional Western medicine. People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their condition with therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and biofeedback.

Brain stimulation therapy

Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression. Some types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

There are some steps that one can follow on home while someone is suffering from depression and if he/she wants to improve depression symptoms, including:

• Regular exercise

An individual who is suffering from depression should engage in any sort of physical activity either sport or yoga, etc.

• Getting quality sleep

An individual who is suffering from this should keep a check on the quality amount of sleep i.e. the sleep should not be either too little or too much.

• Eating a healthy diet

Diet plays a key role in any individual’s life so an individual who is suffering from depression should pay more attention to their diet. They should keep their diet healthy and eat less junk food.

• Avoiding alcohol

An individual who is suffering from depression should avoid intake of any kind of intoxication such as alcohol, beer, and, cigarettes.

• Spending time with people you care about

An individual who is suffering from this problem should spend more time with their family, and friends, and in their work and should avoid sitting alone.

Today depression is a very common problem and anyone shouldn’t be ashamed of it. One should not worry if one is suffering from depressed things but one should seek help. This does not mean that the person is crazy so one should not make fun of anyone if they are sharing their problem about this with you rather help them to come out of it.

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