Depression, synonymous to anxiety, is a feeling of sadness, unhappiness and loneliness etc. Nowadays, depression has become a widely-known topic and thus, it is in some cases just seen as some mere feeling of loneliness. However, is it as simple as just loneliness? The answer is no. Present depression statistics, which rise to a total of 300 million depression-afflicted people, stand as a proof to this answer. Ranging from personal issues to bodily imbalances, depression can spring from an unhappy family atmosphere, a challenging work place or relationship, physically or mentally unhealthy treatment, use of medications having side effects, fear of any kind or even lack of work which can lead to an unhealthy increase in overthinking. Moreover, genetics also play a major role in the spread of depression. People having depressive family relatives can have higher chances of developing depression. Nevertheless, the main, biological and logical reason from which depression uproots are hormonal disorders, which is explained by the monoamine deficiency theory. The monoamine deficiency theory states that the basic reason of depression is a lack of serotonin levels in the central nervous system. Serotonin is a key hormone that helps improve our mood. Research shows that stress leads to disparity in transport of serotonin to our body, thereby triggering feelings of prolonged sadness.
Depression has several physical symptoms which affect the daily lifestyle of the person affected. These include lack of interest in doing hobbies, feelings of laziness, panic attacks, angry outbursts, reduced level of thinking, disorder in sleeping and eating habits, prolonged headaches and in some cases, suicidal thoughts are also prominent. Not only this, but people with depression have been found crying for long hours and shutting themselves to everyone. Due to depression, about 1% of men and 7% of women die by suicide. Most of these people die undiagnosed! It is an alarming situation.
But with advancements in modern medicine, depression has also found its treatments. Since depression is caused by lack of serotonin levels in our body, drugs like selective serotonin uptake inhibitors normally prove to be the most beneficial to undermine the effects and symptoms of depression. Moreover, according to researchers, spending more time with other people such as family or friends, keeping yourself busy in interesting tasks and regular visits to psychiatrists can also help in decreasing the drastic effects of depression. Moreover, animal therapies are also a good way to overcome depression, since it has been proven that taming animals helps to promote a feeling of liveliness and especially for people living alone, animals prove to be a helpful partner to relieve anxiety. Another way of releasing anxiety is by travelling more and more, since studies find that staying in one place makes you feel confined, limiting your thinking abilities and triggering more depressive thoughts. And what is more good than a change in your environment to eliminate depression. So, now it's our task to promote knowledge about depression and solutions to overcome it to make this world a lively place. Thank You!
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