Depression is a complex of psychological and physical symptoms. Low mood levels or sadness is often the most prominent symptom. The common property of these symptoms is a decrease in activity level in certain parts of the brain.
Symptoms of depression:
Depression may cause one or more of these symptoms:
1.Low level of mood or sadness.
2.Lack of pleasure or interest in previously pleasurable activities.
3.Pessimism.
4.Feeling guilty about something for no apparent reason.
5.Thoughts of inferiority.
6.Irritability.
7.Slowness in thought process.
8.Lack of interpreting sensory stimuli.
Slowing down digestion or other internal bodily processes, and symptoms caused by this slowing down, for example, bloating, constipation or difficulty urinating.
9.Slow physical reactions.
10.Depression can be a mild illness that causes some annoyance in daily life, but it can also be very severe. It can make a person completely unable to function and participate in social life. Depression of some severity also increases the risk of suicide.
Depression can occur in all age groups. A lack of interest in schoolwork, withdrawal from social life, and difficult moods can be symptoms of depression in teens.
Physical changes that cause symptoms:
Respond properly by stimulation from neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter is a signaling substance that transmits a nerve signal through the junctions between two nerve cells. 1.Depression decreases neurotransmitters in parts of the central nervous system, primarily serotonin, but to a lesser extent, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, dopamine, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) nerve cells.
2.Serotonin and noradrenaline cause nerve cells to send impulses along with other nerve cells and thus increase activity in the brain. A lack of these substances causes some parts of the brain to become lethargic, and this again causes depressive symptoms.
3.The role of GABA is the opposite: to slow down certain nerve impulses, mainly those that cause anxiety and panic responses. GABA deficiency leads to high anxiety and easy panic reaction. However, a lack of this transmitter also causes symptoms of depression. This is because too much activity in some brain processes can slow down other processes.
4.Depression has many causes and subtypes with different physiological mechanisms.
Types of depression:
Depression is often divided into subtypes according to the symptoms displayed.
1. Mono-polar depression and dysthymic disorder
2. Unipolar depression leads to pure depressive symptoms. Mild cases of monopolar disorder that do not affect a person's ability to function and participate in social activities are often referred to as dysthymic disorder.
3. Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) and cyclothymic disorder
4. This condition consists of periods with symptoms of depression – the depressive phase, a period of increased mood level with increased mental and physical activity, and the manic phase. In the manic state, the affected person also has a poor sleep and has difficulty concentrating. The mild form of this disease is called a cyclothymic disorder.
5. Manic Disorder
6. This condition is characterized by abnormally elevated mood, unrealistic optimism, lack of sleep, and hyperactive behavior. Many psychiatrists think this disorder is similar to bipolar disorder, where the depressive face has not yet occurred.
7. Depression with mainly physical symptoms
8. Sometimes, the physical symptoms of depression are singular or predominant, for example, digestive problems, constipation, difficulty urinating, slow response to sensory stimuli, or slow physical reactions.
Causes due to depression:
Two or more factors may work together to produce depression. Depression can be an independent illness or part of another illness. Depression is also divided into different subtypes according to the cause.
1. Reactive Depression
2. This disease occurs only due to psychological stress, physical struggle or mental stress, or prolonged sleep without proper rest. Stress will only impair the nervous system or deplete the organism of the nutrients needed for the nervous system to function properly.
3. Endogenous Depression
4. When there is no period of stress, tension, or lack of rest that can explain the condition, the condition is often referred to as an endogenous depression. Inheritance is considered a part of the cause.
5. Depression from Physical Illness
6. Depression or depressive symptoms can be a symptom of physical disease. This is probably the most common cause of depression. There are generally three types of diseases that give depression:
Diseases often associated with depression are heart disease, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, or Cushing's syndrome.
Mononucleosis or the flu can trigger depression that continues after the infection is gone.
A lack of thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism slows metabolism throughout the body, including neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore depression is an important symptom of hypothyroidism.
7. Depressive symptoms as a result of an unbalanced lifestyle
8. A general unhealthy lifestyle with too little exercise, too many stimulants like alcohol, coffee, or tea, too few important nutrients, and too much sugar can lead to depressive symptoms and physical problems.
9. Postpartum Depression
10. Women often have periods of depression after pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy and birth are physically and mentally exhausting and can deplete the body of nutrients. This, in turn, can cause depressive symptoms.
You must be logged in to post a comment.