Did you ever notice the sudden change in any of your friend’s behavior or family member? The one who loves to shop and go for outing is no more interested in even talking to anyone. He/She doesn’t feel like enjoying pizza or disc or do things that once he used to be crazy about. Well, these feelings of sadness and unhappiness because of any known or unknown reason are appropriate and transitory but if such changes and feelings persist and start messing up with daily life, then get alert as these may signal an underlying serious depression.
Remember, depression is more than “the blues” or the mood disorders. Depression is much more severe, powerful and obnoxious than the short episodes of unhappiness that we all experience in daily life from time to time. The feeling of depression is much more powerful and unpleasant than the short episodes of unhappiness that we all experience from time to time.
Life may throw numerous situations like a loss or a failure or an unexpected rejection, to make you fall prey to depression. It not only influences your mood and thoughts but also your daily routine and above all, your self esteem. Apart from mental sickness, depression may also involve physical symptoms, like headaches, stomach pain and rapid heartbeat. Depression sees no age, color, race or the economic status; it just hits the person at any walk of life especially in today’s growing complexities and crises.
Most of us are capable to cope with the stressful events, changes, and challenges of life and get back to normal activities. But it depends upon the personality type whether the person can heal himself or let the sadness reach the level of clinical or chronic depression. You must know that sadness and loneliness are temporary blues but depression is a horrible woe and is far more difficult to cope with than a physical sickness. At its worst, depression may even direct you to mull over or commit suicide.
How People Get Trapped in Depression
There is no single and certain cause of depression. They are complex and include genetic, social, biological and personal factors which lead to the development of depression in a person. Depression can be lead by a single cause or may be directed by many and for some people, the causes remain unknown forever. Anyway, let’s get into the little details of these probable factors causing depression.
Genes and Heredity
When issue is so critical, then why would medical sciences and research stay idle? Many studies have suggested a significant role of genes in depression saying depression runs in family if you have a long family history of depression. However, it is not the only and solid reason for depression. People who don’t have any family history of depression are also equally prone to depression.
Unexpected or Expected Circumstances
Sometimes unexpected and stressful life events, like loss of a partner, accident, abortion or expected events such as divorce, job loss, and prolonged disease can lead to the feelings of loneliness, helplessness and finally severe depression. Problems like obesity can also found to be the cause of depression. Moreover, in this condition, lack of friends and support may increase the severity of the disease.
Individual Differences
Many people can deal with sudden or expected changes in life but some may have certain personality traits that make them more prone to depression. Such individuals are more sensitive, insecure, dependent and attention seeker. So, how one respond to challenges thrown by life, depends upon the personality traits one possesses.
Prolonged Medications
If a person is on medications for a long time, he may get hold of depression. Medicines prescribed for diseases, like blood pressure, insomnia, and even birth control can cause depression.
Poor/ Unbalanced Diet
Although the factor seems to be insignificant but diet does matter and is found to play a specific role in causing depression. Deficiencies in certain vitamins, like folic acid and B-12 can lead to depression.
Addictions & Substance Abuse
Well quite contradictory factor but surveys and studies have revealed that people who drink in excess have more chances to develop severe depression. Such people try to come out of depression by drinking more and more, unaware of the fact that alcohol and drugs are taking them deep in the den of depression
Social Isolation
Nobody is that poor or incapable to deal with changes that life throws, but complete social isolation can make one feel rejected or inferior. This feeling of loneliness can also lead to depression
Does Gender Matter?
Well, depression sees no age, color and race but research has found that gender differences exist in case of depression. Females seem to get depressed more than men do. It doesn’t mean that males are not prone to depression. In fact they are equally prone. The most probable reason behind this belief and finding is the mind-set about males who are less are less likely to admit or express their feelings, bottle them up or if express then only in form of aggression or through drinking heavily. On the other hand, today’s women have more responsibilities of working as well as taking care of the house and children, this additional stress can throw them in depression.
Know the Symptoms of Depression
Depression is not something that you suffer for a day or two. Depending upon the severity as well as the individual differences, depression and its symptoms may last months and even years if not treated. Depression may cause strange changes in thinking making you develop a negative approach towards life. A severe depression can even provoke destructive thoughts in one’s mind. When you are depressed, everything seems to be dull and lifeless. You lack motivation and leave yourself more to apathy. Irritation followed by helplessness is another feeling one can experience in depression. People start neglecting their responsibilities, personal appearance and relationships with others. Either they remain still for hours or feel restless. Here are some cited symptoms of depression according to the age of person.
Symptoms in Kids
- Poor performance in studies
- Continuous boredom
- Lack of interest
- Repeated headaches and stomachaches
- Significant changes in eating and sleeping
- Tend to cry more often
- Prefer staying alone
- Loss of interest from friends and peer groups
- Feeling of worthlessness
Symptoms in Adults
- Loss of interest from activities enjoyed earlier
- Feeling blue
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Irritation on almost everything
- Loss of motivation and enthusiasm
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Persistent guilt feelings
- Negative thoughts of suicide
Symptoms in Oldies
- Reduced concentration
- Weakened thought process
- Unending and unexplained physical complaints
- Loss of memory
- Feelings of loneliness