What is Depression?

19 Hits - ASIM KHAN Feb 23, 2022, 4:47 AM

What is Depression? Clinical depression is a serious disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. In contrast to normal grief, clinical depression persists, often impairs one's ability to find or expect happiness, and severely disrupts functioning in everyday life. If left untreated, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years; and if not treated properly, depression can lead to serious health problems, other health issues, and, in some cases, suicide.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression; A person is diagnosed with severe depression when they have at least five symptoms listed for two weeks in a row. At least one of the five symptoms should be a state of depression or a loss of interest or pleasure. Symptoms include The state of depression most of the day, significantly reduced interest or excitement in daily activities, almost daily, changes in diet that lead to weight loss or non-dietary benefits, changes in sleep patterns, exhaustion or increased fatigue, uncomfortable or irritability, feelings of anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or hopelessness and thoughts of dying or attempting suicide.

Depression is more common in women than in men. About 20 percent of women will experience at least one episode of depression for the rest of their lives. Scientists are exploring the many possible causes and factors that contribute to an increased risk of depression in women. Biology, life cycle, hormonal and psychological, and social factors that differ from women may be linked to higher levels of depression in women. Researchers have shown, for example, that hormones affect brain chemistry, affecting emotions and mood.

Before puberty, both girls and boys experience depression at times. During adolescence, however, girls are more likely to be depressed than boys. Research identifies several possible causes for this inequality. The biological and hormonal changes that occur during puberty may contribute to the dramatic increase in depression rates among adolescent girls. In addition, studies have suggested that girls are more likely to continue feeling worse than boys after experiencing difficult situations or events, indicating that they are more prone to depression.

Postpartum depression; Women are particularly vulnerable to depression after giving birth when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Many new mothers experience a brief episode of mild mood changes known as the “baby blues.” These symptoms usually dissipate by the 10th day. Depression Later in life; For older adults experiencing depression for the first time in life, other factors, such as changes in brain or body function, may play a role. For example, older adults may suffer from limited blood flow, a condition called ischemia. They may strengthen and prevent blood flow to other parts of the body, including the brain. When this happens, an older person who has no family or personal history of depression may be what some doctors call “vascular depression.” Those with coronary heart disease may be at risk for chronic heart diseases, such as heart disease or stroke.

What are the Efforts underway to treat depression? Researchers are looking for ways to better understand, diagnose and treat depression among all groups of people. Studying strategies for personalized stress care, such as identifying individual traits that predict what treatments may work, is an important goal.