Depression: Symptoms and its causes

Farha Malik
6 min readOct 31, 2020

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses of this new age. We read and listen to it every day and feel that our society is becoming more and more frustrated and anxious day by day. Every human being wants to touch a particular place at every stage of his life, so he sets his expectations in this regard. So things get worse when his circumstances and expectations don’t match. You have heard so many times in your surroundings that you thought something else and something else happened. When despair, hopelessness, sadness, and frustration take over minds, we get into depression.

Sometimes we deal with our sadness on our own, sometimes we share our worries with our friends, and there is no need to go for treatment. But medically, it is called depression when

  • The feeling of sadness leaves its long-lasting effects on our minds and never ends.
  • Sometimes depression becomes so severe that it can affect our daily life routine.

Usually, it is tough for us to deal with sadness and not just because of the pain it causes but also because of the reason which caused the depression or sorrow in the first place. Almost every other person in this world suffers from depression in their life. The effect of this mood disorder on some people is very mild, but some people have such a severe impact that they think to end their lives.

Sadness

Symptoms of Depression

There are many symptoms we see in a desperate person, which affects him physically and mentally.

  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of energy
  • Sleep Inability
  • Scary Dream
  • Anger and Irritability
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of confidence
  • Complaints of Physical Pain
  • The feeling of hopelessness and helplessness
  • Difficulties in making the decision
  • Early Childhood trauma
  • The significant change in Weight
  • Boredom and Frustration
  • Sadness and loneliness
  • Fear of the unknown
  • Fear of Failure
  • Thoughts of self-harm ( suicide)

Why does Depression occur?

There may or may not be a specific cause of stress in people. Many people who are stressed and depressed do not understand the cause of their sadness. However, their depression is so severe they need help and treatment.

Causes of Depression

Life Events

It is normal to feel sad for some time after a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss. We keep thinking and talking about it for the next few weeks. Then after a while, we accept this fact and come back to our daily life. But some people can’t get out of this sadness and suffer from this mood disorder.

Physical illness

People who are physically ill people have an increased risk of developing depression. These diseases can be life-threatening, such as cancer or heart disease, or they can be very long-lasting and painful, such as joint pain or respiratory conditions. Young people are more likely to develop viral infections, such as flu and depression.

Drugs

Most of the people who drink a lot of alcohol get depression. Sometimes, it is unknown whether the person has become depressed due to drinking alcohol or has started drinking more due to this despondency. Drinking a lot of alcohol has a higher risk of suicide than the general population.

Genetics

Depression is more common in some families. For example, if one of your parents has this mental issue, you are eight times more likely to have depression than people.

Circumstances and events

If we feel alone, have no person around us, are depressed, or suffer from severe physical fatigue, the risk of developing depression increases.

Depression and frustration

Is depression another name for personal weakness?

Similarly, as diabetes is a disease, and high blood pressure is a disease, so is depression. The condition can affect anyone, no matter how strong inside. Just as patients with illnesses deserve empathy and treatment, so do patients with depression who deserve kindness and therapy, not to be criticized and ridiculed.

How can you help yourself with depression?

Do Physical work

Keep up the right workout, even if it’s just a half-hour walk every day. Exercise also improves a person’s physical health. Keep yourself busy with some useful chores, whatever if it’s just housework. Stay busy keeps the human mind away from painful thoughts.

Take Good Diet

It is essential to eat a balanced diet, even if your heart does not want to eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most beneficial. Depression is a mental disorder that is affecting more and more people in our society day by day.

Don’t keep your emotional state a secret

If you have heard any bad news, share it with someone close to you and let them know how you feel inside. Often, grief words are repeated in front of a close person; crying and talking about it lightens the heart’s burden.

Stay away from alcohol

It may give you temporarily beneficial for a few hours, but later, you will feel more depressed and leave its effects on your health. Drinking too much alcohol makes your problems worse, you don’t get the right help, and your physical health worsens.

Some people think that drinking alcohol reduces the severity of their depression. Drinking can make depression worse.

Take Good Sleep

Don’t worry about not getting enough sleep. Even if you can’t sleep, lying down comfortably and watching TV or listening to something motivational or listening to the radio will give you peace of mind and reduce your anxiety.

Don’t be disappointed

Keep reminding yourself that:

Many people in your surrounding have gone through the same experience as you.

One day your depression will go away, even if you think your depression will not go away.

Try to eliminate the cause of depression

If you think you know the reason for your downturn, writing it down and considering how to deal with it can help reduce depression.

Anxiety

How can depression be treated?

We can treat depression with psychotherapy, antidepressants, and both at the same time. Depending on the nature of your depressive symptoms, severity, and condition, it is advisable to use medication or psychotherapy. Mild to moderate this mental issue can be treated with psychotherapy, but medicine is necessary if the depression is more severe.

Verbal therapy (psychotherapy)

Most people with depression feel better about sharing their feelings with a trusted person. Sometimes it is difficult to share your feelings with relatives or friends. In this case, it is easier to talk to a psychologist. Treatment with psychotherapy takes time. You usually see a psychiatrist for one hour each week, lasting from 2 weeks to 3 weeks.

Antidepressants

If your depression is severe or has been going on for a long time, your doctor may prescribe your antidepressant medication. These drugs reduce your melancholy, make life better, and improve your ability to cope. Keep in mind that antidepressant medications’ benefits do not start to show up immediately after starting the medication, but it can take 3 to 4 weeks. Some people feel that they are falling asleep within a few days of starting the medication. It gets better, and the anxiety goes down, but it takes several weeks for this mental issue to go away.

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