Depression
16% of the global population suffers depression at any given time. By the term ‘Depression’ we mean the clinical depression and not the normal ups and downs of day to day living. So widespread is this disorder that in countries like Australia one in four women and one in eight men suffer depression. Depression usually affects twice the number of women than men. Percentage of depression is rampant among people aged 20 and those around 50 to 55 are normally depression free. Women at menopause are free of depression. Depression is the leading cause for disability in North America and globally it ranks the second cause for disability, the first being heart problem.
Symptoms of depression
Different people exhibit different symptoms.
- The most common symptom experienced by a majority is a continuous sense of weakness. Carrying out daily activities becomes a difficult chore to perform.
- Apart from these, feelings of irritation, tension or feeling low for no apparent reason are the other problems of sufferers.
- Patterns of sleep and appetite undergo a change.
- Feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt creeps in.
- Thoughts of suicide or self harm are the most dangerous of symptoms experienced.
People experiencing any of these symptoms should meet the doctor immediately for they could be suffering from depression. If these feelings persist for more than two weeks then it is a case of clinical depression and needs to be treated. Many people also mistake common conditions of feeling sad or simply feeling blue to mean depression. But it is not so. Clinical depression is a feeling of sadness that refuses to go away and remains a constant companion for more than two weeks at a stretch. A fact to remember here is that clinical depression does not indicate that depression can be identified by blood tests and brain scans.
Causes for depression
Depression is not a state of mind it is caused by certain physical changes in the mind. Depression is often caused by a combination of factors.
- A sudden or major stressful event like death or divorce often leads to depression. . People with a negative attitude and low self esteem have depression.
- Physical conditions and depression aggravate each other. Physically sick people might get depressed and depressed people find it difficult to tolerate symptoms of sickness or pain.
- One most important factor that causes depression is a family history of depression. Cases of depression might exist in families for generations.
- The brain is a giant machine constantly sending and receiving signals from all parts of the body through brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters at times weaken leading to depression. Fortunately there are many forms of treatment by which these neurotransmitters can be increased and the person gets back to normalcy.
Treatment for depression
Medication is the most important method of treating depression. Medication is always used in combination with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy makes use of only communicative word to cure. Though communication does not only mean counseling. It is a medical approach to offer solution s to underlying issues that are leading to depression. Electro convulsive therapy (ECT) is attempting to cure patients through administering electric shock. Commonly referred to as shock treatment it brings about short term dramatic improvement though the cure is never long lasting.
Many suffer from depression and the good news is that it is curable in fact easily curable. But the sad fact remains that many do not seek treatment for depression and go through life as it is thinking these are normal feelings. But seeking help and treatment is necessary for depression affects not just the person but the whole family.