What causes Depression?
DEPRESSION, word in itself, indicates the poor mental condition of a human being. It is a psychological degradation of the brain and personality. It has become a familiar and severe problem that should not be neglected in the present scenario.
According to World Health Organization’s reports, 5% of adults struggle with depression issues. And so, the rate of suicides has also risen significantly. More than 7 lakh people die by attempting suicide every year.
It is a severe medical illness that affects the way a person feels. Reacts and attains all the thought processes. It causes sadness, loss of interest or enthusiasm, and poor appetite, which leads to other physical problems.
People suffering from Depression may show mild to severe symptoms like
- constantly being sad,
- weight loss due to poor appetite,
- poor or no sleep, or very long sleep,
- fatigue,
- weakness in concentrating, speech problems, mood swings, and even thoughts of suicide.
- They often go restless, feel agitated, and have zero interest in activities that even they loved earlier.
CAUSES
The question of what causes Depression has no single answer. In this age of numerous roles and responsibilities, the causes of Depression are like a bundle. Family or personal issues, death or loss of someone close, career failures, loss of job or unemployment, financial issues, or other emotional or physical trauma may lead to Depression.
Adolescents or young adults contribute significantly to patients suffering from depression worldwide. Quality of stress management is rare now. People start feeling worthless, and thoughts of death or suicide start originating in their minds. Several economical, emotional, physical, or social factors may traumatize the brain, especially those who had not even faced any minor stress previously.
Every age group as a proportion of Depression suffering people. Each has its reason and relevance. Youngsters generally now fall to feeling low due to their career problems. Facing hurdles and repeated failures in the age of throat-cut competition in various academic platforms and examinations led them to the mouth of Depression. The student class significantly contributes to the rate of suicides. Unemployment or loss of job, which is quite prominent now, has become a significant reason for increasing depression cases.
Older adults
They are no less affected by this problem. Living alone, physical weakness and lack of social interaction and support from family or friends often lead them to feel low and gradually fall into Depression.
Women
The percentage of women too are depressed is double that of men. Women have to face extra challenges due to some common stereotypes or gender discrimination. Physical issues related to the menstrual cycle, infertility, or others usually become emotionally challenging.
Children
Children or teenagers usually get stressed in a weird way of behavior at a very tender age due to conflicts between parents, watching them arguing or getting violent, separation of both parents, or any physical abuse or bad experience at school usually embarks a permanent imprint on their minds, which leads to long term depression and also mental disorders.
Also, 30 % of people face this problem due to misuse of certain medications or drugs without the doctor’s advice. Overconsumption of alcohol, and potent drugs for stamina boost often leads to severe consequences like Depression and other physical problems that could be chronic over time. Now the question arises,
What is the treatment for Depression? Could it be cured?
Well, yes is the answer. Depression is treatable, and today, almost 80% of cases react positively to the treatment. However, natural healing is more preferred with the combined efforts of friends, family, and other close ones. But there are medications also available in the market for supporting the healing journey.
They help relieve symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, sudden episodes of panic or agitation, poor sleep, and loss of appetite. Treatment of Depression is a necessary action. It may lead to cardiac diseases due to stress, gastric issues due to poor diet, weakness, loss of weight, and even mental disorders and thought of suicide or even death.
COUNSELLING
Counseling or therapy means talking with a mental health expert. He helps you identify your problems and supports developing coping skills with them. Usually, just a brief therapy helps in relief for many patients. They help improve your communication skills and let you deal with your stress reasons effectively. It enables you to gain self-esteem and a sense of satisfaction and brings you back to normalcy by gaining self-confidence. People get back their control in life.
MEDICATION
The doctors prescribe antidepressants as per patients’ tolerance levels and medical history. SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SSRIs) are prominently described antidepressants. They work by reducing the serotonin hormone in the brain and resulting in neurotransmitters’ higher production.
Serotonin is a brain hormone that is responsible for mood swings. Common drugs included in this category are fluoxetine and citalopram. They have common side effects, and most people respond well to them.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are another class of antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Bupropion are used when other drugs don’t work well. MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS are another type of antidepressant used to treat symptoms.
It stabilizes the mood and calms down the anxiety. NORADRENALINE AND SPECIFIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS are other types. All these medications also have some side effects, so it is strictly advised to consume them on doctors’ advice to avoid the possible adverse effects.
Even the discontinuation of the medications is done gradually and not suddenly, as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms. The most frequent ones are constipation, dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, allergic reactions to skin, nausea, vomit, and altered blood pressure.
PREGNANT WOMEN
Pregnant women are especially advised not to consume these medications without a doctor’s prescription.
These drugs also pass through the breast milk, causing withdrawal syndrome in the infant. It is hazardous enough to cause abnormalities within the fetus, premature birth, or even coma or death.