Table Of Contents
1. What's Depression?
2. How Many Types Of Depression Are Found In People?3. What's The Cause Of Depression In Our Life?
4. Who Suffers More From Depression?
5. Is The Depression Of Children And Adolescents Different From That Of Adults?
6. How Do You Keep Yourself From Getting Depressed?
7. How To Keep Your Child Free From Depression?
8. Summing-up.
What's Depression?
I would like to start the quotation of Dorothy Rowe, he said- "Depression is a prison where you are both the suffering prisoner and the cruel jailer".
Depression is a very common word that occurs frequently in our lives. It would be hard to find someone on earth who didn't suffer from depression. It's very common and serious medical illness that affects our feelings and activities negatively and it comes into our lives through various kinds of failures, in fact the main cause of disability is depression. According to the world health organization, it can affect adults, adolescents and children. However, various studies have shown that women suffer more from depression than men. And if a person suffer from long-term depression then he/she is more likely to be affected both physically and emotionally, and often seek medical attention.
Indeed, Depression is a mood disorder that constantly increases feelings of sadness and decreases interest. This is called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It affects your feelings, thoughts and behaviours as well as can lead to a variety of mental and physical complications, resulting in problems with your normal functioning and sometimes you may feel that you are not fit to live in this world.
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How Many Types Of Depression Are Found In People?
When we analyze depression, we fiid out two types of depression- regular or normal depression and clinical depression. If you are upset for any reason it's normal or regular depression and if the amount of this upset is higher than normal or lasts for a long time and it's called clinical depression. And this clinical depression requires treatment. Every human being in the world is endowed with different characteristics. So there are different types of depression among them. The type of depression that's commonly found in humans is divided into 7 categories which are discussed below:
1. Major Depressive Disorder(MDD):
Clinical depression is commonly referred to as Major Depressive Disorder(MDD). This depressive disorder is characterized by certain symptoms or features, such as:
- Depressed mood.
- Reluctance at work.
- Weight change fatigue.
- Sleep changes.
- Worthlessness.
- Guilt.
- Lack of attention.
- Death and suicide.
When a person's depression lasts more than two years, it's called Persistent Depressive Disorder(PDD). In medical language, it's called Dysthymia. This depressive disorder can be mild, moderate or severe. It's not as severe as MDD but its effects are widespread and longlasting. Its symptoms or characteristics are discussed below:
- Feeling of sadness.
- Loss of interest and pleasure.
- Anger and resentment.
- Guilt and low self-esteem.
- Sleep deprivation.
- Hopefulness.
- Fatigue and lack of energy.
- Loss of appetite.
- Difficulty concentrating.
The treatment of Persistent Depressive Disorder often involves the use of medication and psychotherapy.
3.Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder known as Mania. It's characterized by a period of abnormally improved mood. This depression can be mild but can be so severe that it can disrupt your personal life. As a result, many times you may need to be hospitalized. This is considered to be a major form of depression. The following are the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:
- Fatigue, insomnia and laziness.
- Unexplained aches, pains and psychomotor agitation.
- Hopelessness and loss of self-esteem.
- Annoyance and anxiety.
- Decisiveness and mismanagement.
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| Makin Wellness |
4. Postpartum Depression:
Hormonal changes usually occurs in a women's body during pregnancy. This can affect her mood. Depression can start in a woman during pregnancy or after childbirth. And this kind of depression is called Postpartum Depression(PPD). This type of depression usually lasts up to two weeks. Its symptoms can be more severe and chronic. The following are the symptoms of this depression:
- Low mood, feeling sad.
- Severe mood swings.
- Social withdrawal.
- Bonding problems with your baby.
- Changes in appetite.
- Feeling helpless and hopeless.
- Lost of interest in the things you used to enjoy.
- Feeling inadequate and worthless.
- Anxiety and panic attacks.
- Thinking or harming yourself or your body.
- Thought of suicide.
If left untreated, this depression can last up to a year. Studies have shown that treatments such as antidepressants, counseling and hormon therapy can be effective in treating this disorder.
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5. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PMDD):
Hormonal changes occur in a women's body before the oneset of menstruation, causing them to experience depression during this time, and this type of depression is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PMDD). Its symptoms or features are discussed below:
- Extreme fatigue.
- Feeling sad, hopeless or self-critical.
- Intense feelings of stress or anxiety.
- Mood changes, often with crying.
- Exasperation
- Inability to concentrate.
- Food thirst or binging.
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6. Seasonal Affective Disorder:
If you feel drowsy, depressed in the winter months and feel good in the spring, then this condition will be considered as a Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD). It's currently called Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) with Seasonal Patterns. The rate of SAD outbreak can be difficult to diagnose because the condition is often undiagnosed and not reported. For example: it's estimated that 1% population in Florida and 9% population in Alaska are affected by the diseases.
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| Boston Magazine |
Atypical Depression:
If you have an extreme sensitivity to overeating, excessive sleep or rejection, you will be considered to exist in Atypical Depression. In current terminology it's referred to as a depressive disorder with Atypical features. Atypical Depression is characterized by a specific set of symptoms. The features or symptoms of Atypical Depression are discussed below:
- Overeating or weight gain.
- Excessive sleep.
- Fatigue, weakness and feeling ''heavy''.
- Intense sensitivity to rejection.
- Strongly responsive mood.
What's The Cause Of Depression In Our Life?
We don't know exactly what causes depression in our lives. However it's a complex disease, although there is no single cause, but it can occur for a variety of reasons, such as- grief, divorce, illness, job loss or financial anxiety. Some studies have shown that depression increases with age.
The factors that can cause depression in your life are discussed below:
- Brian Chemistry: Abnormalities in the chemical levels of the brain can lead to depression.
- Genetics: If someone close to you suffers from depression then its effects can come on you. For example- if your mother suffers from depression, then her effects will come to you.
- Medication: Depression can be a side effect of some medications. For example- taking recreational drugs and alcohol can lead to depression or make it worse.
- Life Events: Sometimes things happen in our lives that can cause us to suffer from depression. Such as- death of a loved one, stress, upsetting events, isolation, lack of support and so on.
- Personality: People who are emotional and can't cope with life's problems are more likely to suffer from depression.
- Gender: Depression varies according to gender. Women generally suffer from twice as much depression as men. No one can say for sure why this is so. However, it may be due to hormonal changes at different times in their lives.
- Abuse: If you are physically, sexually or emotionally harassed, it can lead to depression later in life.
- Age: Older people are at higher risk for depression. Because at this age various ailments form in the body, fear of death works in the mind, many people feel lonely- all these factors increase the risk of depression in them.
- Conflicts: If you have conflicts in your personal life or conflicts with family members or friends, it will increase your risk of depression.
- Serious Illness: If you are sickening from a major illness then naturally you will suffer from depression. For example- if you are suffering from cancer, you will naturally feel depressed.
- Death or Loss: You can also suffer from depression from the deep grief that is created in you over the death of your loved one.
- Other Personal Problems: Separation from family, society or social group due to other mental illness can also create depression in you.
- Giving Birth: Some women suffer from depression especially after pregnancy. Hormonal and physical changes as well as the additional responsibility of a new life, create postpartum depression.
- Loneliness: Loneliness can also increase your risk of depression if you are separated from your family and friends for long periods of time.
Who Suffers More From Depression?
Depression is a mental illness that can affect men and women of any age. Those who are more likely to suffer from depression are discussed below in terms of gender, age and income.
1. Gender: On the gender side, women generally suffer from twice as much depression as men. Because women are more sensitive than men and have regular hormonal changes in their body, so their risk of depression is biologically higher.
2. Age: Research has shown that people aged 18-29 and women aged 65 or over are more likely to suffer from depression. Bellow is a statistic of depression according to age:
#Depression statistics by age
- Adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old had the highest rate of major depressive episodes (14.4%) followed by young adults 18 to 25 years old (13.8%). (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, 2018)
- Older adults aged 50 and older had the lowest rate of major depressive episodes (4.5%). (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, 2018)
- 11.5 million adults had a major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year as of 2018. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, 2018)
- Severe depression among college students rose from 9.4% to 21.1% from 2013 to 2018. (Journal of Adolescent Health, 2019)
- The rate of moderate to severe depression rose from 23.2% to 41.1% from 2007 to 2018. (Journal of Adolescent Health, 2019)
3. Income: Research has shown that those with higher incomes are less likely to be depressed and those with lower incomes are more likely to be depressed. This mean that the rate of depression is relatively high among low-income people.
Is The Depression Of Children And Adolescents Different From That Of Adults:
Not only adults but also children and adolescents can be affected by depression. Stude shown that 2% of children who haven't started school and about 5% of children under the age of 18 who go to school suffer from depression. And the symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are a little different from adults. Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are listed below:
1. Symptoms Of Depression In Children:
- Irritable mood, sudden anger.
- Reluctance to go to school.
- Being depressed most of the time.
- Very young children give up eating and drinking, some may increase the amount of food.
- Not wanting to play, not watching tv, not doing favorite things, avoiding social events.
- Crying shouting for no reason.
- Decreased concentration in reading.
- Frequent vomiting, abdominal pain in every young children.
- Sleep problems, usually wake up very early in the morning, some people may have more sleep.
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2. Symptoms Of Depression In Adolescents:
When a child goes through puberty, their body and brain change rapidly. This age is marked as a confusing and difficult time for teenagers. During this time they're easily affected by depression and if it's not detected in time it can lead to serious disasters for them. Depression can bring serious psychological consequences, especially for adolescents. So parents need to be very careful at this time. The emotional and behavioral changes that adolescents experience due to depression are discussed below:
#Emotional Changes:
- Feelings of sadness, which may include crying for no apparent reason.
- Feelings of frustration or anger, even in small matters.
- Feeling hopeless or empty.
- Irritable or annoyed mood.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities.
- Disinterest or conflict with family and friends.
- Low self-esteem.
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure and excessive reassurance are required.
- Difficulty in thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.
- Running feeling that life and future are horrible and dark.
- Frequent thoughts of death or suicide.
#Behavioral Changes:
- Fatigue and loss of strength.
- Insomnia or too much sleep.
- Appetite change- loss of appetite and weight loss or increased appetite for food and weight gain.
- Alcohol or drugs use.
- Excitement or restlessness.
- Slow thinking, talking or body movements.
- Social isolation.
- Poor performance at school or frequent absence from school.
- Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance.
- Outbursts of anger, disruptive or risky behaviour or other acting-out behaviour.
- Self-harm such as cutting, burning or excessive piercing and tattooing.
- Suicide planning or attempted suicide.
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How Do You Keep Yourself From Getting Depressed?
There are some diseases in the world which can't be completely cured by medicine. It requires strong morale, confidence and goodwill. Depression is one of those illness. Some tips are given below to get rid of depression:
#Build Positive And Strong Morale: You need to have strong morale and self confidence, avoid negative thoughts and take everythings easy. Because it's considered as one of the tools to fight depression.
#Set Goals For Life: Set goals for your life and move forward with those goals in mind. Don't be discouraged if you fail at something. Try again with confidence.
#Keep Yourself Busy: One of the best way to deal with depression is to keep yourself busy. So always keep yourself busy in your various activities.
#Spend Time With Family And Friends: One of the best ways to deal with depression is to spend time with family and friends. Because the more you are alone, the more anxious you will be.
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#Regular Exercise: Getting into the habit of exercising regularly will keep your mind energized and you will be able to keep yourself free from depression.
#Build Healthy Eating Habits: Build up a healthy eating habits, which will help you to stay healthy keep yourself away from depression.
#Get Into The Habit Of Going To Bed Early: Get into the habit of going to bed early at night, as it's important for an adult to get at least 8 hours of sleep. A sound sleep will keep your body healthy and you will be free from depression. About the importance of sleep Benjamin Franklin says that " Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise".
#Learn To Take Responsibility: Through fulfilling the responsibilities towards your family members, you can protect yourself from the risk of depression.
#Try To Do The Work Of Choice: Try to do exactly what you can perform perfectly. This will not create any monotony or reluctance in you.
#Prayer Regularly: Regular prayer calms the mind. So no matter what religion you are in, make it a habit to pray regularly and give thanks to God for everything in your life.
#Build Friendship With Nature: If you spend some time in your busy life enjoying the natural beauty, you can keep yourself free from depression.
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#Arrange Entertainment For Yourself: At some point in your bustling life you can arrange entertainment for yourself. Like you can listen to any song of your choice or watch any movie etc.
#Avoid Alcohol And Drugs: You must avoid alcohol and drugs because their use can ruin your life.
#Restrict The Use Of Social Media: You must use social media to keep in touch with your relatives and close friends but only to a limited extent.
#Limit The Scope Of Your Choice: You must limit the extent of your choice and stop buying anything unnecessary. This will allow you to keep yourself free from depression.
#Avoid Excessive Stress: Keep yourself away from all work that can cause extra stress, such as- not making promises to anyone, not taking responsibility for any difficulty work etc.
#Keep Yourself Away From People Who Think Negatively: Always keep away from people who have negative thoughts. Because by associating with all these people, depression will increase in you which will bring harm to you.
#Maintain Proper Weight: Try to keep your weight normal as excess weight increases stress and causes various disorders in the body.
#Make A List Of Your Dislikes: Never do anything against your mind and for this make a list of things you don't like and always keep yourself away from those things.
#Take Medicine On The Advice Of A Doctor: You must take the advice of a doctor before taking any medicine, never take any medicine on your own. Because taking the wrong medicine may cause a lot of harm.
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How To Keep Your Child Free From Depression:
Babies tend to be soft and gentel in nature so as a parent you must take special care of them. Hare are some tips to help you protect your child from depression:
#Give the baby necessary time, for example- play with the baby and talk to him.
#The baby should not be bullied and shouldn't be compared to other children.
#Parents, teachers should all be aware of whether school friends or teachers are harassing the child.
#School can't be changed frequently.
#The child should never be intimidated or threatened or forced to do anything.
#Protect your child outside the house from physical or sexual abuse.
#The child should be given some responsibilities like- make his own bed and reading table including arranging toys.
#When the children are gradually growing up, don't interfere in their affairs unnecessarily.
#He should be encouraged towards his favourite things.
#If there are any serious symptoms in the child, you must seek the advice of specialist.
Summing-up:
Depression is a word that's widely used today. More or less every one is experiencing depression. It's a mental disorder that spreads from the mind and affects our work it can be serious and can change the life of the affected person. Usually, depression isn't the result of a single event, but of a combination of events and factors. So if you follow a healthy lifestyle then you can keep yourself away from depression. So you must follow the above mentioned rules and I believe that through this you can have a healthy, normal, comfortable and happy life.
References:
https://www.verywellmind.com/common-types-of-depression-1067313
https://uniquemindcare.com/7-common-types-of-depression/
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/causes/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/depression-statistics/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985
https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-avoid-depression#14.-Get-off-nicotine-
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/depression-tips.html
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2017/05/7-ways-to-overcome-depression-without-medication/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320502#avoid-stress
