Understanding Depression – What is Depression?

Understanding Depression – What is Depression?

Depression is the most common mental health problem in the United States. It affects 17 million every year of all ages, groups, races and backgrounds. Depression is a serious illness and everyone needs to understand something about it, whether you suffer from depression or have a friend or loved one who suffers from it, or you just hear about it. Even if you don't have the disease or know someone who does, it's still good to familiarize yourself with it so you can recognize the symptoms at any time, get diagnosed immediately, and get help for yourself or your loved one in need.

The secret to timely treatment and overcoming depression lies in its early diagnosis. If you can recognize the symptoms in time and get treatment, you can easily defeat it.

What is depression really?

Depression should not be confused with the usual feeling of low mood, sadness or depression. Such feelings are a normal reaction to everyday events and are often overcome within a short period of time.

If someone is depressed or has persistent mood swings lasting weeks, months, or longer and it prevents the person from going about their daily activities, then this could be depression.

There are different types of depression, there is major depression, dysthymia, adjustment disorder, seasonal affective disorder and bipolar disorder or manic depression.

Causes of depression

The causes of depression range from genetic causes to major life events. That is, if some of a person's family members have suffered from depression, this increases the likelihood that the person will develop depression. And when a person experiences a sudden change in events, such as: Such as the loss of a loved one or moving to a new area or the person someone is in a relationship with having their heart broken can cause a person to become depressed.

Other possible causes may include chronic illnesses or side effects of certain medications or infections.

Diagnosing depression

For an accurate diagnosis, consult a psychologist for a detailed clinical evaluation. To qualify for a diagnosis, you should have consistently experienced at least 5 of the following symptoms for at least 2 weeks.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Having little interest or enjoyment in doing things

Dejection, depression or hopelessness

Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or sleeping too much

Tiredness or low energy

Loss of appetite or overeating

Feeling bad – Or that you are a failure or that you have failed yourself or your family

Trouble concentrating on things

Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed, or the opposite - Being so fidgety or restless that you moved much more than usual

Thoughts that you would be better off dead or that you would hurt yourself somehow

Recognize depression

If you think you or a loved one is suffering from depression, take the necessary steps to seek treatment. Don't overlook it, especially if you notice such symptoms in children. Untreated depression can pose a threat to human life.

Treatment of depression

If you suspect depression, you should first consult your family doctor to rule out a physical illness. If your doctor suspects depression, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker, who will then give you a proper diagnosis of depression.

Do not postpone treatment, early detection and diagnosis are the key to quickly overcoming depression. There is nothing to worry about, more than 80% of people who become depressed are successfully treated.

A psychiatrist or psychologist can conduct a complete evaluation and work with you to create a treatment plan, which may include counseling, medication, or both.

Inspired by Karol David