Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

A depressed mind thinks differently than the normal mind because it’s fallen prey to the sorrow that life has to offer. When people don’t get what they desire, they say they are depressed. Well, is it so? Let’s find out!

This article will walk you through the secrets spilling the beans about what depression is, what are the symptoms of depression and how to treat it to lead a healthy and happy life.

What is Depression?

Depression is a state of mind in which people are not in terms of their identity. The feelings of loneliness and emptiness are at work constantly to drive chills over their consciousness.

People who are tightly held by the deep roots of depression aren’t what they used to be before. Although, all of us (normal beings) go through mood swings in our lives due to various reasons known to us. But depressed people live with the loss of joy around the clock.

A different perspective says that every living individual (humans) is stressed out, at some point in life. But strong people somehow manage to find a way out of their stress. On the other hand, weak people don’t get out easily. And their stressful life takes the form of depression.

Depression is a serious illness that is associated with the ill-functioning of the mind. When the consciousness cannot make the right choices in life, it is called depression. Many people suffer through it and unfortunately, for some, there is no coming back.

Symptoms of Depressions

Like, there are symptoms for the very disease, depression also has a set of symptoms. If you find these symptoms in you or your loved ones, you should not have a second mind before visiting a psychiatrist. Some major symptoms of depression are as follows:

• Continuous depressed mood or extreme mood swings every hour of the day
• No interest in any hobby or extracurricular activities
• Sudden and extreme reduction or gain of body weight
• A paramount change in eating habits and appetite
• The feeling of lack of energy or fatigue day and night
• High-level procrastination, problems while concentrating, and decision-making
• The ultimate feeling of guilt or worthlessness
• Thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts
• Loss of sexual desire and romance with the partner

These symptoms are the signs that tell that a person could be in depression. However, doctors don’t jump to a conclusion based on these symptoms alone. The psychiatrist conducts several tests and follows a pre-determined course of action to tag a person as depressed.

If you find any of these symptoms in you or your loved ones, you should consult the best psychiatrist in Delhi. The clinic of a renowned psychiatrist would be the best place to get treatment from.  

What Causes Depression?

There is no evidence yet as to what exactly causes depression. Medical science has conducted research in the past to know the reason that leads a person into depression but hasn’t got any success so far. Though, the researchers were able to find a combination of factors that may cause depression.

The major causes of depression known to the medical world are as follows:

• Changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels
• Psychological and social factors
• Environmental factors such as lack of social support and exposure to trauma
• Genetic features, i.e., from parents to the offspring

The above group of reasons are the major causes of depression but are not limited to.

Depression in Females

Females are more prone to depression than males. In research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was found that depression is somewhat twice as common in women in comparison to men. Well, the researchers were unable to perceive the scientific reasons behind it.

However, a recent study revealed that the more percentage of women falling into depression could be due to disparities in reporting. It was found that women are more open to tests, reporting, and treatment to win the battle against depression.

Some reports even concluded that gender discrimination all around the world could be one of the reasons that depression is found more in women than in men. Well, it is a fact that women face various forms of discrimination across the globe. Efforts are being made to push women to better themselves in life and for this, the governments of many countries have even introduced revolutionary reforms.

Depression in Males

The data from the National Health and Nutrition study shows that 5% of men report and seek treatment for depression, in comparison to 10.4% of women in a span of every 2 weeks. This data is dangerous in itself because when men don’t report their problem of depression, they could never come out of it full-fledged.

When men fall into depression, they start consuming more alcohol, the anger is always on display, and are constantly hit by risk-taking thoughts that further make life worse for them. On the other hand, this is not the case with women. Women seek treatment as soon as they know they are depressed, which ought to be a good sign of self-responsibility.

Other major symptoms of depression in men include:

• Displaying controlling or abusive behavior in relationships
• Working for long hours without giving a break to their body and mind
• Facing difficulties while meeting their responsibilities towards their family
• Always staying in isolation and avoiding family and social meetings

Like women, men should also come out seeking the best treatment for depression from the best psychiatrist in Delhi. Else, the psychological disease could wreak havoc on their remaining life.

How to Treat Depression?

If you are fed up now and want to overcome depression, there is great news for you. Medical science has developed various ways through which a person who is dealing with depression can be treated effectively. Almost 90% of depressed people respond well to treatments, gradually. Sooner, the patients get some relief and the major symptoms of depression start vanishing away.

Some ways through which you can overcome your depression are as follows:

Medication

Medications or medicines are one of the major treatments for fighting depression. It is believed that imbalanced brain chemistry has a pivotal role to play in a person’s depression. The consumption of medicines restores the balance inside the brain, leading to a steady fight against depression. If you visit the best psychiatrist in Delhi, you will be prescribed some of the best medications to help you overcome the disease at the earliest.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy is a methodology through which psychologists or psychiatrists understand the root cause of depression in an individual. After identifying the big problem, efforts are made to help the patient focus on his or her present life. Usually, a patient who is going through depression finds self-being surrounded by painful, sorrowful acts or incidents from the past. Psychotherapy helps them get through those traumatizing memories from the past.

Self-Help

One of the best ways out from depression is self-help. In this, the patient first needs to acknowledge the fact that he or she is depressed. Once identify themselves as a patient of depression, they should take severe responsibility to treat themselves out of this hell. For that, they can indulge in regular exercise, yoga, and meditation and take up healthy eating habits. Depression is a serious illness that needs your attention right away. If you do not help yourself, no psychiatrist will be able to help you much.

Be of Help to Others

Finding some creative ways through which you could be of help to others is another way of distracting yourself from the ill-thoughts. It will not only help you keep depression under check, but will also fill happiness in other’s life, though little. On top of that, you will be infused with motivation, making your life move on a much smoother track.

Find Workable Goals

Many people don’t have goals in their life, which shouldn’t be the case. Every individual should have pre-determined goals, whether short or long-term, especially if you are into depression. Goals motivate us to do better in life, apart from keeping us in discipline all the time. There are many things that are beyond your control, you should let them go. But things that will be always in your control should be your goal. And all your efforts should be towards its accomplishment.

Schedule Pleasant Time with Loved Ones

Every one of us has a family, our parents, siblings, spouse, or children. You should try spending time with them as much as you could. It will help you focus on the present things going on in your life. You will get rid of the unpleasant past, which will further help you to overcome your depression. Furthermore, it will strengthen your bond with your loved ones. Even the best psychiatrist in Delhi suggests their patients spend more quality time with their families.

Consume Healthy Food

What you eat is what you become. Do you remember this prominent adage? If yes, then you should also implement it in your life. Life is not about consumption; it is more about dropping things that will consume you later. Therefore, by taking healthy eating habits you are not only improving your physical health, but also it boosts your mental well-being. Depressed people often feast on a delectable meal that is high in carbohydrates, and spices. Such food increases toxicity in the body and mind. On the other hand, eating fresh vegetables and fruits can help the mind to function well. Resulting in the eradication of serious illnesses like depressive disorder.

To Conclude:

Depression could be dangerous if left untreated. You would never know when moderate stress would turn up into a full-fledged form of depression. It is important to take stress busters at regular intervals. And all of a sudden, one morning or night, you realize you are finally fallen into the deep roots of depression. Then, seeking the best psychiatrist in Delhi should be the next step to getting well at the earliest.