Depression – Signs and Symptoms

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Depression – Signs and Symptoms

Depression is a serious mental illness that often results from stressful events or life changes. People with depression often feel exhausted, guilty, or worthless. They experience problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions, and they sleep less than usual. During these times, they also may think about suicide or the end of their life. They may have lost weight, become restless, or lose interest in activities that once made them happy. The signs and symptoms of depression are similar for both men and women.

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects the way we think, feel, and behave. It causes people to stop enjoying everyday activities and to feel hopeless and worthless. Individuals with depression experience an increase in fatigue, decreased energy, and reduced interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. Some people experience the symptoms of depression for a short period of time, but others will feel better after undergoing treatment for depression for a longer period of time.

While many people do not seek help for depression, it is one of the most treatable mental disorders. Studies have shown that up to 90% of people suffering from depression respond to treatment and gain relief from symptoms. Treatment of depression involves several steps, including a thorough evaluation of the patient’s symptoms and medical history. Among these, a health professional may order blood tests to rule out medical causes of depression. If a medical condition is to blame, reversing it could reduce depression-like symptoms.

Depressive conditions are often associated with a lack of self-awareness and the loss of interest in a variety of activities. Patients who experience depressive disorders may become hallucinating or have delusions, which is called psychotic depression. Furthermore, women who are pregnant or recently gave birth are at higher risk of developing depression than other people. These women are especially vulnerable to depression, especially during the postnatal period, which covers the perinatal period, the time after childbirth.

In low and middle-income countries, nearly 75% of people do not receive the mental health care they need. Lack of resources, inadequately trained health-care providers, and social stigma associated with mental illnesses create barriers to effective treatment. People with depression are also underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Therefore, it is important to find a treatment that works for you. If you are suffering from depression, don’t delay treatment any longer than it takes to make a significant improvement.

In some cases, the causes of depression are genetic. Studies have shown that two million people have a genetic predisposition to depression. In this study, researchers discovered that there are two hundred and sixty-nine genes that were associated with the condition. Nevertheless, the researchers did not determine a causal link between genetics and depression. Some of these genes may increase a person’s risk while other factors may trigger the symptoms. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory.

In some cases, depression is accompanied by other conditions, such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although the exact cause of this disease is unknown, it is believed to be related to the variation in light exposure during the four seasons of the year. People with SAD experience mood changes that are accompanied by reduced energy. In addition, they may sleep too much, gain weight, and crave carbohydrates. So, it is important to know the differences between depression and seasonal affective disorder before treating yourself.