Depression is categorized as a mood disorder, usually characterized by feelings of sadness, loss, anger that can interfere with a person's day-to-day activities. It is one of the most common causes of mental illnesses among adults and often goes undiagnosed. People experience depression in different ways. It can lead to lowered productivity, negative impacts on one's relationships, and even chronic health concerns.
Symptoms Of Depression:
• erratic mood: feelings of anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness.
• behavioral changes: loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired quickly, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities.
• loss in cognitive abilities: inability to focus, difficulty completing tasks, delayed responses during conversations.
• harmful sleep patterns: insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, not sleeping through the night.
• physical discomfort: fatigue, pains, headache, digestive problems.
Many factors can cause depression. Someone with a family history of depression has a higher risk of developing depression. Early childhood trauma can lead to cases where the body and mind is unable to react to fear and stress effectively. Medical conditions such as insomnia, chronic pain, injury, ADHD can also cause depression. The use of drugs and alcohol has also been correlated with higher cases of depression. In addition to these causes, other risk factors for depression include low self-esteem, being too self-critical, personal history of mental illness, medication, stressful events such as a loss of a loved one, or unemployment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings of depression, it's a good idea to visit a specialist. There is a lot of stigma surrounding depression and other mental illnesses, but getting help is an essential step. Specialists deal with patients as part of their daily job and are better equipped to understand, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses.
