Depression

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Depression
One of the modern primary contributors to the global burden of ailments is depression. An estimated 350 million people today suffer from depression or related diseases. Current surveys by the World Mental Health group indicate that for every twenty people, one has an episode of depression every other year. Although it is believed to be a disease of the elderly and especially those with families and relatives or business related problems, new statistic show enough cases amongst children. As a result, it is reported to be the major cause of disabilities globally. It thus demanded a quick action to treat the disease at the initial stages together with other mental health ailments.
DEFINITION
Depression is a psychological ailment that presents with detachment with the real world through loss of interest and pleasure, bad moods or sharp mood swings, feeling of unworthiness or guilt, unrest, and poor concentration. A person with depression experiences serious despair that lasts for more than two weeks making them feel hopeless and helpless(“Depression”). It is an illness in itself as it causes pain to the one suffering. Health practitioners refer to the condition as clinical depression or depressive disorder, and most victims need treatment to recuperate. There are different forms of depression depending on the extent to which a person is troubled. A major depression is an episodic disorder where the victim displays severe symptoms that end up interfering with the ability to work, eat, study or enjoy life.

It can occur once in a lifetime or momentarily. Whenever the mood lasts longer than two years, then the person is said to suffer a persistent depressive disorder. In most cases, this develops from unique circumstances and for many episodes coupled with periods of minimal unrest. At times, a victim may have some forms of psychotic thoughts. These are delusional beliefs where the patient confuses an ideal with a real thing and include hearing, visualizing and increased hallucinations. When one experiences these, they are said to have psychotic depression. The other is postpartum depression usually experienced by women after giving birth. It originates from their over-worrying nature and anxiety. Apart from the common stressors, some people experience low moods and other signs of despair with seasons. They experience a seasonal disorder.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
There are varying causes of depression depending on the gender, age, economic status and immediate conditions a victim is experiencing. However, the major cause is a combination of biological, genetic, chemical, social and environmental factors. When a person has depression, it is a sign that some emotional, physical, and social aspects of their life are not adding. Some other impromptu and significant occurrences in life such as loss of loved ones, being caught up in a major felony, being robbed of everything or news of deportation could bring about depression. As far as an occurrence lead one to either loss of self-identity, the self-esteem or causes adverse changes in their lifestyle, then they become the primary causes of depression. Apparently, the causes may not be immediate and require the diagnosis and evaluation by a trained mental doctor. Apart from the direct causes depression can also co-occur with other acute medical illnesses like cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. It emanates from an extended feeling of anxiety and stress which lasts longer that it should. With time the patients feels unworthy and hence enter a state of depression.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Depression affects people in different ways. As a result, every person can have unique symptoms depending on the causal effect. Some people may have mild symptoms while others may be impacted severely. The most efficient way to identify is one has depression is by consulting a qualified doctor and specifically a psychologist of one specializing in mental illnesses. However, some common symptoms can alert one to seek further medical advice. These are:
Persistent feeling of anxiousness, sad or emptiness
Feeling helpless or overly guilty for no reason
Detachment with things that previously preoccupied oneself and made them feel happy and contented.
Memory lapse or difficulty in making simple decisions or just remembering things
Increased delusional thoughts and fantasies
Having suicidal thoughts and at times attempts to commit suicide
Irritability increased anger or restlessness that was previously not common
Sleepwalking, sleep talking, having persistent sleeping difficulties
Feeling unsafe or panicking at minor things especially that relates to a situation one is going through.
Where men show high irritability, disinterest and difficulty sleeping, women experiences sadness, guilt, and low self-esteem. On the other hand, children show resistance to normal activities like playing, eating or refuse to go to school or talk. They may also keep on crying for no reasons. Depressed teens are very cynical and indifferent with their peers and teachers (“NIMH » Depression”). It is thus evident that depression is an illness that is pervasive in the globe and affecting everyone. However, it is treatable and bound to ones’ choices. If everyone made a choice to ignore all those things that make them uneasy, causes extended anxiety, and stress then they can fight depression.
Works Cited
“Depression”. Mentalhealth.org.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.
“NIMH » Depression”. Nimh.nih.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.