Mental Well Being

Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Cure

During and after a complete lockdown worldwide in the past few months, many new cases of depression have surfaced. Many of them were seriously depressed throughout their life while some developed depression during the quarantine. It is entirely immaterial to the fact that most people around the globe suffer from depression. But what is depression? What causes depression? And how to identify it? For many years people refrained from talking about it; however, with rapidly increasing cases of depression, we are finally addressing the elephant in the room. 

What does Depression mean?

According to Wikipedia, Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity. Psychologists define it as a disorder that negatively affects the spirit of a person. A depressed person is somebody who has been in a poor state of mind, is easily agitated, feels emptiness within, and experiences a loss of interest for two or more weeks. 

What are the Causes of Depression?

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding depression. Unfortunately, such a serious mental ailment is considered taboo, and thus, despite its immense prevalence, not many are aware of it. It is very difficult to identify the causes and symptoms of depression, and the social stigma attached to it makes it even harder to find and cure the ailment in the early stages.

Although it is nearly impossible to put the finger on a certain thing that can potentially trigger depression, however, there are certain situations that might lead to a major depressive disorder, such as 

Pregnancy – Most women go through a state of dysphoria after giving birth. It happens due to hormonal imbalance in the body. During the first few weeks after delivery, i.e., the postpartum period, a woman is most prone to get affected by postpartum depression. Unfortunately, many of them are clueless about it and thus never fully get cured.

Death or separation – Sudden loss of a closed one or an emotionally upsetting incident such as heartbreak can trigger the feeling of loneliness, which in turn leads to depression. 

Failure – Setbacks in education, personal or professional life make a person feel worthless. The absence of emotional support can also increase the chances of a person slipping into depression.

Violent Incident – Experiencing a violent incident either directly or passively can lead to depression. The trauma can also give rise to other mental ailments.

Disturbed Childhood – An adult who lacked care and concern during his childhood is more likely to develop depression in his teenage or early years of adulthood.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Some of the most common symptoms of depression are –

• Loss of interest
• Feeling sad, empty, lonely, hopeless, and tired
• Disturbed sleep
• Weight loss and decreased appetite
• Frequent negative thoughts
• Constant mood swings
• Loss of energy 
• Body pain- headaches and backaches
• Irrationality

Therapies Available

In recent years, medical sciences have made significant progress in dealing with depression. According to medical experts, depression cannot be cured simply by prescribing medicines. Subsequently, relying on antidepressants for a long period can cause severe damage to the body; hence, these are considered last resort. Unlike other ailments, a depressed patient has to undergo several therapies. These therapies are known as psychotherapies. Some very common types of psychotherapies are

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

In this approach, both negative and positive thought patterns and behaviors are analyzed to find the root cause of depression. The patient is asked to jot down their thoughts and analyze the negative ones. Once a repetitive pattern is recognized, your doctor will help you find a way to deal with such thoughts in a positive manner.

Interpersonal Therapy

In this type of therapy, the doctor asks you several questions regarding your social and personal relationships. Your doctor may want you to provide him with detailed accounts of certain incidents. It is used to identify the conflicted relationship that may have led to depression.

Going beyond medicines

Medications and therapies alone are incapable of treating depression completely. One needs to go beyond the doctor’s chamber and treat themselves. You can do it by making minute changes in your daily schedule such as

• Taking a stroll in the street during the evening
• Mindfully Eating
• Exercising 
• Spending time with nature
• Indulging in arts
• Talking to a friend or loved one
• Monitoring the chain of thoughts
• Consuming positive content – reading good books

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.