Depression- A silent Killer | Depression- you must fight back!

What it stands for:

"Depression" going by its meaning stands for feelings of severe despondency and dejection where "self-doubt creeps in and that swiftly turns to depression".

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common illness worldwide and the leading cause of disability. They estimate that 350 million people are affected by depression, globally.

Symptoms of Depression:

It is most common in women than men. Although the basic symptoms can be seen through common actions like not indulging in conversations with friends and families, trying to live lonely. Other medical symptoms can be seen as follows:

•  depressed mood

•  Symptoms include lack of joy, enthusiasm and reduced interest in doing things that brings     happiness in someone, loss of sexual desire.
• Life events, such as bereavement, produce mood changes that can usually be distinguished from the features of depression.
• The causes of depression are not fully understood but are likely to be a complex combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psycho social factors.
• unintentional weight loss (without dieting) or low appetite
• Insomnia (Medical condition of difficulty in sleeping)
• Delayed psycho motor skills i.e.  slowed movement and speech
• Loss of energy
• feeling worthless
• Loss of ability to think, take decisions
• recurrent thoughts of suicide or attempt to suicide

Cause: Prompting Situations

There are many situations in anyone's life that are so potent to push any person into depression. It is the sheer fighting nature of person that make him/her overcome the situation.

Here are the few causing situations that are listed below for reference:

• ·       Genetics: Having first degree relatives increases the risk.
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• ·       Biological changes
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• ·       Environmental
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• ·       Psychological and Social pressure

Risk Factors:

Sometimes. some persons are more prone to these symptoms. Also, certain risk factors are involved that push the person to depression that are:

• ·       Life events: Certain life events like divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family, financial problems, medical concerns, or acute stress make life more vulnerable to depression.
  
  
  ·   Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies, or previous life trauma are more vulnerable to depression.
  
  
  ·       Certain kinds of childhood trauma that people are not able to overcome by time are one of the prominent risk factors.
  
  
  ·   Medication: Certain kinds of prescribed medication and overdose of that can also lead to depression and these includes corticosteroids etc.
  
  
  ·       Drug Abuse, addiction to alcohol etc.
  
  
  ·       A past episode of depression, it increases the risk of subsequent one.

Types of Depression:

Depression can be of many kinds, the most prominent ones are listed here as following:

Unipolar and bipolar depression

If the predominant feature is a depressed mood, it is called unipolar depression.

However, if it is characterized by both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods of normal mood then it is referred to as bipolar disorder.

Major depressive disorder with psychotic features

This medical condition is diagnosed by depression accompanied by psychosis. Psychosis can involve delusions - false beliefs and detachment from reality, or hallucinations - sensing things that do not exist.

Postpartum depression

Women often experience "baby blues" with a newborn, but it is also known as postnatal depression and it is more severe than others.

Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern

Previously called SAD that stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, this condition is related to the reduced daylight of winter - the depression occurs during this season but lifts for the rest of the year and in response to light therapy.

Treatments:

Lifestyle Changes:

Exercise. Regular exercise is best as same as comparable to medication. It is not only the medication does exercise boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals, it triggers the growth of new brain cells and connections, just like antidepressants do. Even a half-hour daily walk can make a big difference. For maximum results, aim for 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity on most days.

Social support. Strong social networks reduce isolation, a key risk factor for depression. Being in touch with friends and family, or consider joining a gym or group. 

Nutrition. Eating well is important for both your physical and mental health. Eating small, well-balanced meals throughout the day will help you keep your energy up and minimize mood swings.

Sleep. Sleep has a strong effect on mood. When you don't get enough sleep, your depression symptoms will be worse. Insomnia exacerbates irritability, moodiness, sadness, and fatigue. It is to make sure that you take a proper sleep. Very few people do well on less than seven hours a night. Aim for somewhere between seven to nine hours each night.

Stress reduction. Too much stress exacerbates depression and puts you at risk for future depression. Take the aspects of your life that stress you out, such as work overload or unsupportive relationships, and find ways to minimize their impact.

Pshycotherapy:

Psychological or talking therapies for depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy, and problem-solving treatment. In mild cases of depression, psychotherapies are the first option for treatment; in moderate and severe cases, they may be used alongside other treatment.

If there is no underlying medical cause for your symptoms of depression, talk therapy can be an extremely effective treatment. What you learn in therapy gives you skills and insight to feel better and help prevent depression from coming back.

There are many types of therapy available. Three of the more common methods used in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used.

Antidepressant Medication:

It is advised first to try lifestyle changes to cure depression rather than going for medications. Antidepressants are drugs available on prescription from a doctor. Drugs come into use for moderate to severe depression, but are not recommended for children, and will be prescribed only with caution for adolescents.

A number of antidepressants are available, few of them are listed below:

·       Serotonin reputake inhibitors

·       tricyclic antidepressants

·       atypical antidepressants

·       Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

It is strictly advised to take any medication with prior consultation of doctor otherwise it can have grave side effects.

Conclusion:

Depression is although  a silent danger but it can easily be overcome by following methods:

·       Most importantly do not think that you are worthless or incapable in doing anything and feel remorse or guilt of anything. Every person is unique in itself and have inbuilt qualities. Do not feel pressure of growing age or pressure of fulfilling dreams of your parents as a motivational speaker has rightly said that every one has their Own Clock and will achieve according to his/her clock only. Do not let anyone rush you with their timelines. Keep growing, learning and exploring the new opportunities.

As no one knows which opportunity will open the gates of heaven for you. As before opening of gates of success every door seems to be closed only. Even a last key of bunches of key opens the door so keep trying do not feel low. Always keep exploring, you will get out of the depression or loneness in life.

·       Connecting with buddies, lover, family.

·      Sharing your problems, insecurities with others is a life hack for this problem. Depression is not a black money that we have to hide from public. This problem needs to be shared with close ones and trust me it will prove a game changer if you share.

·       Try to hang out with family, friends, loved ones, go for movies or a short trip and do not feel shy in sharing your thoughts.

As sharing gains caring and it explodes your inner insecurity and take you out of the problems.

Depression- A silent Killer | Depression- you must fight back!