Depression is a term used loosely to describe having a bad day. It is sometimes thought of as a weakness or a feeling that one can just “snap out” of.
Depression however is an illness characterized by an intense and persistent sadness that the person experiences, not for a day or two, but for at least 2 weeks. This sadness affects the person’s functionality in his/her occupation (work or school) and social relationships.
The SYMPTOMS associated with depression are:
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness characterized by tearfulness and irritability.
• Reduced interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed or activities in general.
• Significant weight loss or gain, consequent of a decrease or increase in appetite respectively.
• Sleep disturbance: sleeping too much, or a lack of sleep.
• Restlessness or feeling slowed down.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
• Poor concentration, indecisiveness.
• Recurrent thoughts of death, thinking of suicide.
One needs to have experienced five or more of these symptoms. The symptoms do not appear the same in different people. Their frequency, severity and how long they last varies.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
• Biological
This is includes genetic vulnerability where persons who have family members that have suffered depression are more likely to experience depression themselves.
Depression may also be caused by the over- or under- production of some hormones in the body such as the thyroid hormone.
Reduced activity in brain chemicals, also referred to as neurotransmitters, has been found to result in symptoms of depression appetite and sleep.
• Psychological
Negative thinking patterns have been found to not only cause depression but also perpetuate it. These include overstressing the negative, taking responsibility for bad events and not good ones, having inflexible rules about one’s behavior and thinking one knows what others are thinking and that they are thinking negatively of her/him.
The loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, in addition to, a sense of failure in goals such as education, a business venture or a relationship may also cause or increase the depression.
Stress, especially prolonged stressful situations, can set off depression. This could include negative circumstances such as unemployment, financial challenges, and relationship difficulties. It may, surprisingly, also involve positive events such as a job promotion, the birth of a child in which the person feels unable to cope with the situation.
TREATMENT
Depression is a chronic illness that requires long term treatment. A combination of medication and
psychotherapy is thought to be the most effective in treating depression.
• Antidepressant medication, prescribed by a psychiatrist, primarily aims towards affecting the neurotransmitters in the brain to change your mood. Some antidepressant medication groups include: SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, MAOIs etc.
• Psychotherapy works toward improving or changing the thinking and behavior associated with depression. With the help of a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor, the patient realizes that one’s thoughts and belief have an impact on one’s mood and behavior. Psychotherapy helps in creating the awareness of, challenging and replacing negative thoughts and beliefs with helpful ones. Psychotherapy could also involve changing behavior that perpetuates and worsens depression through goal-setting, activity scheduling among other behavioral changes.
Did you learn anything new about depression? What has been your experience with depression?
Depression however is an illness characterized by an intense and persistent sadness that the person experiences, not for a day or two, but for at least 2 weeks. This sadness affects the person’s functionality in his/her occupation (work or school) and social relationships.
The SYMPTOMS associated with depression are:
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness characterized by tearfulness and irritability.
• Reduced interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed or activities in general.
• Significant weight loss or gain, consequent of a decrease or increase in appetite respectively.
• Sleep disturbance: sleeping too much, or a lack of sleep.
• Restlessness or feeling slowed down.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
• Poor concentration, indecisiveness.
• Recurrent thoughts of death, thinking of suicide.
One needs to have experienced five or more of these symptoms. The symptoms do not appear the same in different people. Their frequency, severity and how long they last varies.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
• Biological
This is includes genetic vulnerability where persons who have family members that have suffered depression are more likely to experience depression themselves.
Depression may also be caused by the over- or under- production of some hormones in the body such as the thyroid hormone.
Reduced activity in brain chemicals, also referred to as neurotransmitters, has been found to result in symptoms of depression appetite and sleep.
• Psychological
Negative thinking patterns have been found to not only cause depression but also perpetuate it. These include overstressing the negative, taking responsibility for bad events and not good ones, having inflexible rules about one’s behavior and thinking one knows what others are thinking and that they are thinking negatively of her/him.
The loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, in addition to, a sense of failure in goals such as education, a business venture or a relationship may also cause or increase the depression.
Stress, especially prolonged stressful situations, can set off depression. This could include negative circumstances such as unemployment, financial challenges, and relationship difficulties. It may, surprisingly, also involve positive events such as a job promotion, the birth of a child in which the person feels unable to cope with the situation.
TREATMENT
Depression is a chronic illness that requires long term treatment. A combination of medication and
psychotherapy is thought to be the most effective in treating depression.
• Antidepressant medication, prescribed by a psychiatrist, primarily aims towards affecting the neurotransmitters in the brain to change your mood. Some antidepressant medication groups include: SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, MAOIs etc.
• Psychotherapy works toward improving or changing the thinking and behavior associated with depression. With the help of a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor, the patient realizes that one’s thoughts and belief have an impact on one’s mood and behavior. Psychotherapy helps in creating the awareness of, challenging and replacing negative thoughts and beliefs with helpful ones. Psychotherapy could also involve changing behavior that perpetuates and worsens depression through goal-setting, activity scheduling among other behavioral changes.
Did you learn anything new about depression? What has been your experience with depression?
