Depression isn’t just a frame of mind. It’s associated with physical changes in the brain and is linked to an imbalance of a sort of chemical that carries signals in the nerves and brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. There are two different types of depression: One, which originates from poor or upsetting events in your life and one, which looks without apparent cause.
What to do?
Out of the two the latter is the most frequent and the former kind is much easier to handle because the cause is understood. Step one is to take care of the event that set off the melancholy. The latter type is more challenging to deal with as the origin is unknown. Both types of depression are: The sad kind, called major depression, or dysthymia; and manic-depression or bipolar disorder.
Dysthymia – Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated either by subjective account or observation by others, for at least two decades. Note: In children and adolescents, mood can be irritable and duration must be at least 1 year. Treatment involves psychotherapy or cognitive therapy (also called “talk therapy”) is used to change people’s self-defeating thoughts. Behavioral therapy can help people understand how to behave with a more “positive approach” to life and to communicate better with friends, family and co-workers.
Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to work. Manic depression can be treated and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
Causes
Depression has no single cause. It often results in a combination of various things. However, some people may feel as though they know exactly why they’re having these feelings of despair. They’re being teased by their friends for some physical handicap or some thing else. Basically it’s because of something sad that happened in their life.
Sometimes, however, the causes of such hopelessness isn’t quite as clear. There might not be only one cause for this but a several number of contributing factors that may accumulate over a time period and lead to these feelings of hopelessness. You may have no clue why depression has struck you.
A pessimistic character by nature – people who normally have low self-esteem and a negative mindset run a greater risk of becoming depressed. Physical conditions – medical ailments like cancer, AIDS, cardiovascular disease and other disorders can lead to these feelings of despair, partially due to the physical weakness and anxiety they bring on. These feelings of hopelessness in turn can make the medical conditions worse, as it weakens the immune system and can make the pain more difficult to bear.
Keep in mind
Sometimes, depression may be caused by drugs used to treat medical problems. There may be emotional symptoms in addition to the physical symptoms. Having feelings of excessive guilt. Who is at risk? These feelings of grief are thought to be more prevalent in women than in men. This is of course is on a global basis.
In the USA, depression is the major cause of disability in women and the ration is 2:1. One out of every eight women will experience major depression at some point in their life. One reason that the numbers are higher for women compared to men is the fact that it’s underreported in men. The experts also believe that there are also other, more intricate causes of women’s greater vulnerability to depression.
Take note
Step one is being honest with oneself about changes in ones moods or the intensity of negative emotions as they happen. This can help to identify the probable sources of depression or anxiety. The victim should analyze their feelings and attempt to ascertain what’s troubling them – it may be different issues, relationships with family or friends, financial troubles and so forth.
Sometimes discussing these issues with the people involved or having an understanding friend can result in a resolution prior to a crucial stage of stress is reached. Even the mild sort of depression ought to be dealt with if it interferes with your own effectiveness. The things that would help oneself in the midst of hopelessness are the very same things that could help you avoid it.
Final note
If you are on medication for it, stay on it. You shouldn’t assume you can stop the medication just because you are feeling okay right now. Don’t alter the recommended dose or stop without talking to your physician first. Maintain a regular program of exercise as this can both help lift and protect against depression. Maintain a wholesome diet taking care to avoid junk foods. Develop several healthful relationships. Loneliness and isolation often feed melancholy. Maintain a healthy spiritual life. Try as hard as you can have a positive outlook on life.