What is depression and what can I do about it?
Everyone feels sad or overwhelmed sometimes. Depression is a chronic feeling of emptiness, sadness, or inability to feel pleasure that may appear to happen for no clear reason. It is distinct from grief and other emotions a person feels following difficult life events.It can affect adults, adolescents, and children.
In this article, you will know what depression is and what causes it, as well as types of depression, treatment, and more.Depression is a mooddisorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life.
Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can trigger Trusted Sourcedepression. But depression is distinct from the negative feelings a person may temporarily have in response to a difficult life event.
Depression often persists in spite of a change of circumstances and causes feelings that are more intense and chronic than are proportional to a person’s circumstances.
Depression is an ongoing problem, not a passing one. It consists of episodes during which the symptoms last for at least 2 weeks. Depression can last for several weeks, months, or years. For many people, it isTrusted Source a chronic illness that gets better and then relapses.
Causes
The medical community does not fully understand the causes of depression. There are many possible causes, and sometimes, various factors combine to trigger symptoms.
Factors that are likely to play a role includes:
genetic features
changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels
environmental factors such as exposure to trauma or lack of social support
psychological and social factors
additional conditions, such as bipolar disorder
Interactions between various factors may increase the risk of depression. For
instance, a person with a family history or a genetic risk of depression may become depressed following a traumatic event.
The symptoms of depression can include:
a depressed mood
reduced interest or pleasure in activities that a person previously enjoyed
a loss of sexual desire
changes in appetite
unintentional weight loss or gain
sleeping too much or too little
agitation, restlessness, andpacing up and down
slowed movement and speech
loss of energy
Depression is nearly twice as commonTrusted Source in females than males, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Researchers do not know why depression appears to be more common in females. However, a 2021 study proposes that the difference may be due to disparities in reporting. Researchers found that females were more likely than males to report and seek treatment for depression symptoms.
Physical changes, peer pressure, and other factors can contribute to depression in teenagers.They may experience some of the following symptoms:
withdrawing from friends and family
difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
feeling guilty, helpless, or worthless
Triggers are emotional, psychological, or physical events or circumstances that can cause depression symptoms to appear or return.
These are some of the most common triggers:
stressful life events, such as loss, family conflicts, and changes in relationships
incomplete recovery after having stopped depression treatment too soon
What can I do if I'm feeling depressed?
1seek medical treatment
2. Talk to a confidant, someone you feel you can share your problems with.
3. Hangout, visit friends and relatives.