A mental illness called depression is characterized by enduring feelings of melancholy, emptiness, and loss of joy. It is not the same as the mood swings that people encounter on a daily basis.
Significant life experiences, including losing a job or experiencing a bereavement, can
reliable source depression. However, depression is not the same as the bad emotions someone could have momentarily in reaction to a challenging life situation.
Even when circumstances change, depression frequently endures and produces strong, persistent emotions that are out of proportion to the sufferer’s situation.
It’s a persistent issue rather than a fleeting one. Major depressive disorder is the most prevalent type of depression, though there are others as well. It is composed of episodes that persist for a minimum of two weeks in terms of symptoms.
Is it curable?
Years, months, or even weeks can pass during a depressive episode. It is a chronic ailment that improves and then recurs for a large number of people.
Can it be cured?
Depression cannot be cured, however there are helpful therapies that aid in healing. The likelihood of therapy success increases with early initiation. After a single episode of depression, some people may never experience it again. There will be relapses for others.
After a therapy regimen, many depressed individuals get well. Relapses can happen, though, even with successful treatment. The first response to treatment is not seen in about half of the population (Trusted Source).
People taking medicine for depression should stick with treatment for as long as prescribed by their doctor in order to avoid relapsing, even if their symptoms become better or go away.
Here are some suggestions to help keep depression from reappearing.
Signs and symptoms
Numerous mental and physical symptoms, such as the following, can be brought on by depression: Trusted Source:
ongoing sadness
Loss of enjoyment or interest in pastimes and interests shifts in appetite and body weight
unusually sluggish or restless motions
reduced vitality or exhaustion
Inability to fall asleep or excessive sleeping overwhelming thoughts of worthlessness or shame
inability to focus or make decisions
suicidal thoughts, thoughts, or efforts
A person may be diagnosed with depression by a physician if they have five or more of these symptoms in the course of two weeks.
In addition to these symptoms, depression can also result in headaches, irritability, restlessness, chronic pain, and digestive problems.
Types of depression
Depression comes in various forms, according to a reliable source. Here are a few of the more typical varieties.
Major depression
A person suffering from serious depression is depressed all the time. Activities that people once enjoyed may no longer pique their attention.
Typically, psychotherapy and medicine are used in treatment.
Persistent depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder, also referred to as dysthymia, is characterized by symptoms that continue for at least two years.
Along with lesser symptoms that do not fit the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, a person with this illness may experience major depressive episodes.
Postpartum depression
Some people refer to the brief time of melancholy or elevated emotions that some people feel after giving birth as the “baby blues.” Usually, this passes after a few days or a few weeks.
Postnatal or postpartum depression is a more serious condition.
This kind of depression can last for months or years and has no one specific reason. After birth, anyone who continues to feel sadness should visit a doctor.
Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern
This kind of sadness, which was once known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), typically strikes in the winter and fall when there is less daylight. It could occasionally adhere to different seasonal trends.
The remainder of the year and in reaction to light therapy, it gets better.
People who reside in nations with protracted or harsh winters appear to be more susceptible to this illness.
What causes depression?
The reasons of depression are not entirely understood by the medical community. There are numerous potential reasons, and symptoms can occasionally be brought on by a combination of situations.
Among the variables that could be important are the genetic characteristics of the Trusted Source.
alterations in the neurotransmitter levels in the brain
environmental elements including trauma exposure or a lack of social support
social and psychological aspects
other illnesses, such bipolar disorder
The chance of depression may rise as a result of interactions between several factors. For example, someone who has a genetic or family history of depression may develop depressive symptoms after going through a distressing experience.
A depressed mood, decreased interest in or enjoyment from previously enjoyed activities, a loss of sexual desire, changes in appetite, inadvertent weight loss or gain, excessive or insufficient sleep, restlessness, pacing up and down, and slowed speech and movement are some of the symptoms of depression.
exhaustion or low vitality
emotions of guilt or worthlessness trouble focusing, thinking clearly, or making judgments
persistent thoughts of suicide, dying, or making an attempt at suicide
Learn more about spotting depression’s telltale symptoms by clicking this link.
A note about sex and gender
Gender and sex are spectrum concepts. When referring to sex assigned at birth, this article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both. For additional information, go here.
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In females
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that depression is about twice as common in girls as in males.
The reason why depression seems to affect women more frequently is unknown to researchers. Nevertheless, a 2021 study suggests that discrepancies in reporting could be the cause of the disparity. Researchers discovered that women reported and sought treatment for symptoms of depression at higher rates than did men.
According to certain studies (Trusted Source), being subjected to gender discrimination raises the possibility of developing depression.
Additionally, many forms of depression, such premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression, are exclusive to women.
In males
According to data from the National Health and Nutrition study, which relies on self-reports of mental health symptoms, 5.5%
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of males report depression symptoms in a given 2-week period, compared with 10.4% of females.
Men with depression are more prone than women to overindulge in alcohol, act irrationally, and take risks as a result of their illness.
Other signs of depression in men could be:
Staying away from social and familial settings
working continuously and finding it challenging to balance work and family obligations
acting in a domineering or harsh manner with others
Find out more about the signs of depression that affect males.
In college students
Time at college can be stressful, and a person may be dealing with other lifestyles, cultures, and experiences for the first time.
Some students find it difficult to adjust to these changes, which can lead to the development of anxiety, despair, or both.
Symptoms of depression in college students may include:
difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
In teens
sleeping too much
a decrease or increase in appetite
shunning their former favorite social events and pastimes
In teenagers
Physical changes, peer pressure, and other factors can contribute
Trusted Source
to depression in teenagers.
They may experience some of the following symptoms:
feeling irritable
restlessness, such as an inability to sit still
withdrawing from friends and family
difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
feeling guilty, helpless, or worthless.
