Depression is the most common mood disorder which people suffer from. It is referred to as a feeling of loss, guilt, hopelessness, sadness, and having suicidal thoughts.
Why do people suffer from Depression?
- People hesitant to consult a doctor or psychologist.
- It is easier to say that “my head is aching or not feeling well” rather expressing the real emotions like “my heart is broken”.
- Ashamed of being seen as abnormal or mentally sick by friends, family, relatives.
Signs and Symptoms
- Loss of interest.
- Weight loss or gain or eating disorder (Obesity),
- Body pain and restlessness.
- Loss of energy.
- Difficulty in concentration and thinking.
- Guilt and self-doubt ( doubting each and every decision).
- Upsetting and depressed mood.
- Loss in sexual desire.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Doubting each decision
- Very low self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Avoiding friends and family.
- Mood swings
The most common symptom of depression is suicidal thoughts, which can be prevented by being alert to some of its clue that includes:
- Changes in eating habits.
- Sleeplessness.
- Withdrawal from friends and family.
- Persistent boredom.
- Violent actions and rebellious behaviour.
- Drug and alcohol abuse.
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.
Risk factors predicting the likelihood of suicide:
- Age- highest among teenagers, young adults.
- Gender- men have a higher rate of suicide.
- The recent occurrence of serious life events.
- Negative expectations and setting unrealistically high standards.
Causes of Depression
- Genetic makeup or heredity.
- Gender- women are more prone to depression.
- Negative life events.
- Lack of social support.
- Social pressure, family pressure, and expectations.
- Failure.
- Peer pressure.
- Break up of a relationship.
- Marks or poor performance in academics.
- Family and society expectations.
- Body shaming.
- Public opinion.
Depression in Women
Gender plays an important role, especially in a male dominating society where women’s mental health and their opinion is not given any importance. As compared to men, women are more likely to suffer from depression. Most of them hesitate to open up or to consult a doctor.
Causes of Depression
• Gender discrimination.
• Body shaming.
• Pressure from family or society.
• Time management.
• Skin complexion.
Signs and Symptoms
• Avoiding family and friends.
• Eating disorder.
• Sleeping issues.
• Feeling worthless and hopeless.
• Loss of interest in every work.
• Mood swings.
• Sudden weight loss or gain.
Depression in Men
The percentage of men suffering from depression is less as compared to women but the suicide rate is high in males. It is generally because of their lack of understanding and coping-up with the situation or troubles they are facing.
Causes of Depression
- Work.
- Failure or loss.
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- History of traumatic events.
- Family.
Signs and Symptoms
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Anger and aggressive behaviour.
- Avoiding family.
- Alcohol and drug dependence.
- Loss of interest in work.
Depression in Teenagers
The age of 12-18 years the most crucial years of a person’s life. At this stage the grown-ups are SELF-CENTERED, i.e. only focused on themselves. They consider each and every opinion about themselves and are so conscious about what looks, attire, and what people think about them. That’s the age when small things can hurt a lot and can cause major mood disorder and depression is the most common.
Prevention of Depression
As it is always said that prevention is better than cure. Each and everyone must take preventions to avoid suffering from depression because of our busy and harsh schedule we tend to get depressed.
Each one of us is running behind fame and money, everyone wants to become successful but only a few of us care about our mental health, as compared to our physical health our mental health is always overlooked. Be mentally fit is most important so that we can be focused and concentrated on what we are doing.
One must take all or a few methods of preventions mentioned below:
• Relaxation techniques – Deep breathing along with muscle relaxation.
• Meditation – Focusing and concentrating on one point.
• Exercise – Daily workout maintains good blood circulation and improves body immune system.
• Rational thinking – Avoid negative thoughts and keep yourself busy.
• Improving relationship – Try reducing your communication gap with family and friends.
• Diet – Take a balanced diet that gives you energy and makes you feel better.
• Positive thinking – Be a positive person, find positivity in every work.
• Self-care – Most important is self-care, one must care about him/herself. Under any condition, you should not harm your own body.
But if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, one should go to the counsellor and that is the only way to cure, with all of these preventive methods. If you do not consult a doctor it can further lead to serious mental problems which can be dangerous to the person suffering as well as the people around.
It is better to get it to cure at an early stage rather than waiting for more problems as the treatment also goes on becoming costly.
One must NOTE that feeling low, sad, and down at times is a part of our life. Upsetting events happen in everyone’s life but if you are feeling helpless and hopeless on regular basis you may be dealing with depression.