CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
There is not one single cause for depression. Many factors are considered such as genetics, environment, life events, medical conditions, and the way people react to things that happen in there lives play a major role. Depression can run in family genes but not everyone will get the gene. The death of a family member, friend, pet, or relationship loss can sometimes lead to depression.
Even moving or changing schools can cause depression. Some teens in an unhappy family atmosphere or high stress living condition like poverty or homelessness will become depressed. Substance abuse can cause chemical changes in the brain that will cause depression. Medical conditions that affect the hormone can also cause imbalances creating depression.
Depression involves neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals help send massages between nerve cells in the brain. Certain neurotransmitters regulate mood, if they are running slow people can become depressed, anxious, or stressed.
There are many different types of depression. Major depression is short lasting and more severe. Dysthymia is a longer lasting but less severe form. Another is adjustment disorder with depressed mood. It refers to a depression reaction to a specific life event such as death. How long it will last and the severity can differ in the person and situation. Bipolar disorder involves periods of major depression mixed with periods of mania. Mania is abnormally high mood and extreme bursts of activity or energy.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Symptoms of depression that people experience are depressed mood, sadness most of the time, lack of energy, feeling tired all the time, inability to enjoy things that used to be enjoyable, withdrawal from friends and family. More symptoms are irritability, anger, anxiety, trouble concentrating, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, aches, pains, thoughts of death and suicide. If someone has more than 5 of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer then than person is more than likely depressed.
Depression is a lot different than regular sadness. Normal stresses of life can lead to anyone feeling sad once in awhile. Things like a friend moving, an argument with a friend or loved one, not making a sport team, low grades in school, and a relationship break up. These reactions are brief and will go away shortly. Depression is a stronger mood involving despair, hopelessness, discouragement, and worthlessness. It can last weeks, months, and even longer. Depression interferes with their normal ability to do things.
CURES FOR DEPRESSION
The very best way to start dealing with depression is to know that you're depressed and take a decision to get out of it. One of the things depression does is make you withdraw from physical and social activities. If it was a job loss that triggered the depression in the first place, you tend to stay indoors, away from people, if it was a love one that demised, you cut off from other social activities. Cut the crap, it's not the end of the world. Reconnect to social activities - go to the Pub, watch that game you love, meet new people, volunteer for something worthwhile and go for physical exercise. Start indoors or take a long walk. Physical and social activities fall within what is called anti ruminative activities. When one is depressed and lonely, there is a tendency to frequently remember things that bring sadness to memory, things like the loss of a loved one, disappointments, what someone said to you and the likes. But physical and social activities will keep your mind in check.
Sunlight is good for a depressed mind, the vitamin D we get from sunlight does so much to uplift our mood and one should endeavour to get enough of it. Healthy sleep cannot be compromised, rest and relaxation are vital for our mood.
There is a saying that we are what we eat. Indeed, when it comes to depression, there are foods we eat that enhances our mood. These foods contain some vital vitamins that triggers something good in our bodies. Foods that are rich in Omega -3 fatty acids like Salmon is vital at this stage of our life. Drinking 3-4 cups of green tea wouldn't be a bad idea. Other foods include almonds, avocados, bananas, dark chocolate, asparagus, etc. These are every day foods packed full of vitamins to help our bodies function optimally.
Lastly, it's good to talk about depression, speak to someone about it, a good listener, it could be a loved one or a total stranger who listens and nudges you on. Or better still, seek a professional help where it is available. Depression is a silent killer and should not be taken lightly.
