Depression is a common and serious mental health issue. Depression is also renowned as a major depressive disorder, major depression, or clinical depression. Moreover, most individuals also recognize depression as a severe form of anxiety. Persons suffering from depression experience persistent sadness and fear. Moreover, they also feel a lack of interest in once-enjoyable activities. If you want to know more then read this article in detail. You will get a clear idea of what depression means and what are the symptoms of depression.
What do depressed individuals do?
Stress is a normal body’s response after getting exposed to any stressful situation. Moreover, individuals who have experienced any trauma can also suffer from depression due to their traumatic memories. If you are experiencing stress for a normal and limited period then there is no need to worry about it. However, if the period of anxiety or depression is getting prolonged then that’s the main point that needs to be immediately considered.
The onset of depression is not limited to any gender. Both males and females can suffer from depression. Likewise, age is also not a limiting factor as individuals at any age can develop depression. Children, adolescents as well as adults can suffer from the depressive disorder. Affected individuals face difficulty in handling their relationships. They prefer to stay alone in an isolated area and do not want to engage in any community. Depressed individuals also have to face numerous issues in their academic and professional life.
Learn More: ADHD and Depression: Exploring the Connection
Common symptoms of Depression
Although depression is a common mental issue, the signs of depression vary for each individual. Each individual is distinct and therefore also exhibit varied responses to the symptoms of depression. Some individuals are more capable of overcoming the symptoms but some suffer more based on the severity and extent of symptoms.
Reduced interest: Individuals with depression don’t feel pleasure in those activities that they normally enjoy such as any hobby or any kind of social activity etc.
Sense of hopelessness: Depressed individuals think that they are unable to cope with their stressful situation. They think that their life has no meaning and there is nothing that they can do to make their life better.
Anger outburst: Depression makes individuals more violent. They don’t feel calm and they talk and behave with others in a very unpleasant way. They feel agitated as well and their irritable behavior also diverts their mind toward more stressful situations. Depressed individuals are mostly short-tempered and they feel that all the things are on their nerves.
Reduced appetite: As depressed individual spend major time in their thoughts, they do not focus on their diet. Therefore, they mostly experience sudden weight fluctuations which in turn also elevates their rate of anxiousness.
Sleep issues: Depressed individuals are also unable to sleep and wake up early times. They pass their time thinking about their stressful issues and experience insomnia and various other common sleeping issues.
Reduced energy: Persons with depression feel decreased energy levels and they think that their bodies lack all the capabilities to do constructive things.
Causes of Depression
The following are the common causes of depression in both men and women.
Chemical imbalances
Different brain neurotransmitters are responsible for the regulation of brain activity. Most of the neurotransmitters are responsible for increasing brain activity. If the level of hormones fluctuates then there can be a disruption in the balance of neurotransmitters.
The amygdala is the major part of the brain that specifically controls emotions. When the person receive the stress signals the amygdala is activated. Moreover, during stressful situations, the activity of the amygdala is also increased.
The hippocampus is also the major part of the brain that is responsible for the formation of long-term memory. Just like other brain regions, changes also occur in the size of the hippocampus. Hippocampus shrinkage and the functioning of neurons that are specifically present in this region are also disturbed.
Hormonal changes
Women are more susceptible to developing depression as they experience various hormonal changes. The undesired fluctuations in the hormone levels in women can also lead to more depression in women as compared to men.
Genetic factors
If you have a history of family depression then you are more likely to have depression. Not a single gene is responsible for the onset of depression as multiple genes are responsible for the developement of depression in both males and females.
Misuse of medications
The inappropriate use of certain medications can also cause depression. Interferon-alpha, isotretinoin, and different corticosteroids can lead to the onset of depression symptoms.
Environmental loss
Different external stress factors are also responsible for making the person depressed. Personal loss, professional loss, sudden injury or accident, or loss of a loved one are some of the major triggers of depression.
Depression in Men
Men are usually more prone to depression but they usually do not acknowledge it. They avoid considering their mental state and remain busy in their essential life activities. They usually protect themselves from feelings of hopelessness, fear as well as self-loathing. Moreover, most of the males have to bear different stress factors from society, particularly financial stress. They have to stay awake late at night to complete their professional tasks. But instead of thinking about their mental state and overall body condition, they do not complain about their fatigue and tiredness. But the main noticeable factor is that although they do not share their feelings, emotions, and pain, they exhibit their anger in front of their family or friends. So we can say that men are among those sufferers who do not report their suffering.
Depression in Women
Women are comparatively emotionally weaker as compared to men. They also have to face multiple environmental stress factors. Other than external stress stimuli, they also have to bear the pain caused by the internal body’s stress triggers. For example, women have to tolerate the pain during pregnancy, periods as well as the menopause. Moreover, most of the females also have to experience postpartum as well as peripartum depression that not only affects their mental state but also their baby.
If they do not get support from their family or loved ones, they start taking stress and enter into the dark world of depression. During the stress period, they also have to face multiple other complications such as sleeping issues, unexpected and undesired weight fluctuations, altered eating behaviors, and many more. But unlike men, they do not hide their mental scars. They show their depression through anger and different other symptoms.
Learn More: Anxiety Symptoms In Men: Leading Facts
Treatment of Depression
Any individual suffering from depression can effectively recover with the finest treatment. Experts combine the benefits of psychiatric medications and psychotherapies to deal with the symptoms of depression.
Medications
The most common medications that are recommended by experts to treat depression are antidepressants. They specifically made some positive alterations in the brain chemistry and assisted in overcoming the symptoms of depression. However, antidepressants are only used after the expert’s recommendation. Experts recommend the effective dosage and type of medication that suits best to treat depression.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that is used to treat cognitive abnormalities. During this therapy, individuals suffering from depression communicate with experts and share their all mental health issues. The main goal of each expert is to identify the causes of mental illness. Experts guide the individuals that how they can avoid the trigger factors of depression and learn the useful and preventive strategies for depression.
Brain stimulation therapy
Although depression is a severe form of anxiety it can also be severe if the symptoms of psychosis occur. This therapy involves the electric stimulation of the brain to make the brain more active. Some other common stimulation therapies include transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and vagus nerve stimulation.
Complementary therapies
Some other therapies provide holistic care to individuals. Other than traditional therapies, experts also recommend different complementary therapies such as mindfulness techniques, meditation, yoga, and physical workouts.
Conclusion
Depression is a persistent phase of sadness. Depressed individuals are more vulnerable to the environmental stress factors. This mental illness affects thoughts, emotions, and ultimately behavior. The affected individuals feel extra irritated and sad. Moreover, they also experience strong feelings of emptiness. Different environmental and biological factors can cause the development of depression in both genders. But luckily, depression is treatable. This depends on the effectiveness of the treatment. At Solid Foundation Psychiatry, you can find the best solutions for depression, anxiety, ADHD as well as other common mental issues. Our experts can better identify the symptoms and develop the therapeutic plan accordingly.