Depression — Insight on Self Introspection through rupture

Research into Mental Health

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“The mind and heart is a place where the soul rests.” — Swati Suman

Hence, to not have suffering recognized is an unbearable form of violence. The world today we live in has access to all forms of diseases and cure but mental health remains a bit elephant in the room. The ignorance and social stigma attached to it perhaps make it more difficult to be a topic of discussion.

Depression is a disorder related to mental illness. The assigned names following Depression are Major Depressive Disorder or Uni-polar Depression or Clinical Depression.

However, there’s a difference between sadness and depression. Where sadness could be for a short duration or periodical in nature or momentary but when sadness takes a prolonged time of duration the person is said to be undergoing depression.

This Non-communicable disease alters the entire mental well-being of person viz-a-viz mood swings, boredom, anxiety, stress, low self-worth, under-confidence, lack of motivation, etc.

Root To Diagnosis — (Depression Symptoms)

Awareness of the disorder holds vital importance. Hence to be aware of is to prevent leading to cure. Usually for depression to be diagnosed a person must have much of the following depressive signs of depression :

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• Frequency of depressed mood for the most number of days.
• Losing interest in day-day regular activities and feeling lethargic.
• A sudden gain or loss in weight.
• Insomnia or exhibiting an excess of sleep.
• Detrimental negative thoughts, lack of thinking and concentration hence less decisive power.
• Suicidal tendencies and not having the charm to glorify Life.
• Feeling of worthlessness or guilt.
• Globally people use ICD-10 to diagnose Depression Test on a wider scale. According to it — the symptoms of depression must last for two weeks or so or must occur on a day to day basis.

The symptoms are unhealthy to lead a peaceful lifestyle by affecting the functioning of individual, family, social and work life.

Depression around the Globe

The exact number of people suffering from depression is unknown. Several factors like the social stigma attached to it prevent people from admitting, lack of knowledge, etc.

Due to different cultures, traditions, and even lifestyles, the prediction factor of depression varies. Hence incessant ways are identified to keep track of mental illness.

In countries like US and others — people are more prevalent to what is called major depressive disorder. The water-tight work schedules, unhealthy lifestyles, excessive overthinking leads to stress and certainly people shift out to focus on individual well-being leading to such illness.

Accordingly, some global foundations like WHO stated in reports that Depression causes more disability than any other mental health or behavioral Illness. The variability factor also lies among men and women. It is said that women tend to be twice as more vulnerable to depression as compared to men.

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Types Of Depression

All in all, depression emerges out in various forms and has different types. The sub-types associated with it are as follows :

• Melancholic depression — It is very severe and intense. It can causes many physical changes like sleep and appetite change.
• Psychotic depression is much like melancholy but with hallucinations or delusions.
• Atypical depression causes anxiety and panic attacks.
• Chronic Dysthymic Disorder is a long term mild depression that lasts for at least two years.
• Seasonal Effective Disorder is when the depression seems to be related to the winter season. Prevalent in most of the Scandinavian countries.

Causes —

To every illness, their lies a cause and has a reason associated with it. By identifying the cause of the problem the solution can be reached.

The causes of depression can be many and depend on various factors. Some of them enlisted are as follows :

• Genetic Heredity — The acquisition of traits, features, behaviors are manifested by genes and hence identification is carried out. Similarly, family history of diseases and illness could take a toll on an individual. Probably many different genes singularly exert small effects rather than one affecting many and hence classifies depression as a complex trait.
• Anxiety and Conflict– Individuals who are biologically vulnerable and sensitive may develop depression resulting from conflicts in any strata of life be it with family, friends or closed knitted people.
• Sense of Bereavement and Loneliness — When an individual is isolated or abandoned from society a kind of emptiness engulfs within which marks out a scar of pain which is sometimes unbearable. When it gets elongated over a due course it becomes chronic and stays for a longer duration.
• Grief and Sorrow — Its normal to have feelings of grief due to many reasons like improper marks in an exam, scoldings by any, loss of loved one, failure in the job or losing it,anger issues,atrocities of life,struggles, hardships and many small issues of life which seems bigger than usual during illness. As it is said ‘Small Little Things In Life are Valued the most’ in every phase of life.
• Hate and Abuse- Sometimes history back behind or in present wherein abusive environment is witnessed is sure to have a detrimental impact on the mental health of a person. It may be personal or self victimization or in the family atmosphere where violence occupies a haven in the brain.
• Events In Large- Some good events in life like starting a new job, various occasions and ceremonies can also lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, divorce cases, retirements, etc. However, depression is not only just a normal reaction to stressful life events. It is eventually bigger than grief by being chronic and hence causing clinical depression.
• Doses of Drugs, Antidepressant, Pills — Certain medications like sleeping pills, drugs like isotretinoin, corticosteroids, etc can increase the risk of depression.

Above were the few factors which though may seem trivial but is of extreme importance to be paid attention to. All the small events, instances of life and experiences which are tragic may have a profound impact on the brain. Thus depression is a complex illness with many contributing factors.

For more information about the causes do check out this detailed article.

Treatment —

Depression can be treated out by the rhythmic control over our feelings, emotions, lifestyles and is dependent on one’s own will to change from lifeless to live life to fullest. All in all a balanced approach in every sphere manages the illness well.

The illness can be treated naturally as well as through medications, consults, and treatments. Some of the ways are :

• Support of Pals — “Affection can create life out of a dead soul’’. If affection and admiration are fostered to an individual suffering with depression then life blossoms to the fullest and it is relived again.
• Change in Lifestyles — One regular and monotonous routines can cause boredom and one may feel at nadir. Fixing up a gentle daily schedule can help a person get back on track and enjoy virtues of life.
• Eating Healthy — Taste buds always causes curiosity and hence there is always a miracle in food present to bring back life in an individual. But if depression tends in overeating, getting in control of diet will make one feel at ease.
• Regular Exercises — An idea to put away the thought of being ill. Exercises strip away the focus into a more active and healthy lifestyle. It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins which positively rewires the brain.
• Enough Sleep — A peaceful sleep with perfect biological clock has relieving features. Too little sleep can cause depression to worsen. Distractions during the time of sleep should be put away like TV, mobile phones, etc to improve sleep cycle.
• Keeping Oneself Busy — When depressed person may feel like pulling back from life, in such cases taking up responsibilities both at home and work can gear direction of life on a positive road. Staying involved and having daily curriculum can help maintain a lifestyle that can help counter depression. They keep one grounded and sense of accomplishments with nourishment is achieved.
• Fun and Games — Keeping oneself busy in interesting activities, sports, going out for movies, dinner with friends and family, etc can both be enjoyable and fun-loving. One has to unlearn and relearn the process to keep track of life going. Fun things will seem fun again.
• Adopting Positive Thoughts — Positive thoughts gives in the zest to imagine and lead a blissful life.
• Treatments — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, medications, biological analysis, etc can also help in improving the mental illness when guided along the proper way.

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Depression — therefore, carves a niche for oneself if taken positively. The Life which emerges out after undergoing it positively can be the best amalgamation of — self-worth, high self-esteem, a better understanding of oneself and moreover looking life more broadly.

In the end — “All’s Well That Ends Well.”