Understanding the impact of depression on health
Added: (Tue Feb 07 2023)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Introduction
Depression is a very common mental health condition, affecting more than 17 million Americans each year. It's also one of the most treatable disorders: up to 80% of people will get better on their own with treatment alone, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Unfortunately, many people don't get treatment in time because they don't recognize the signs or symptoms of depression and think it will go away by itself. That's why it's important to know what depression looks like so that you can recognize it when someone is having trouble coping with life circumstances or emotions such as anger or sadness.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder, which means that it affects your feelings. It's not the same thing as sadness or grief; depression is an abnormal way of thinking and feeling that can interfere with your ability to function normally. Depression affects anyone at any age, regardless of gender or race/ethnicity.
Depression can start suddenly but often develops slowly over time and gets worse over time—it's common for people who experience depression to have experienced symptoms for years before seeking treatment. If you’re having trouble getting out of bed in the morning because of how depressed you feel about something specific happening (such as losing your job), this is called “morningness."
How does depression affect the brain and body?
Depression can affect the body in many ways. It can cause a range of physical symptoms, including:
Fatigue and lethargy
Feeling sick and nauseous
Dizziness and lightheadedness
What are the common symptoms of depression?
The common symptoms of depression include:
Sadness and feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless.
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. For example, hobbies or sports might no longer seem interesting because your mood has changed so much. You may also find yourself skipping social events altogether because you don't want to go out when everyone else is having fun but aren't you sad about being alone with your thoughts?
Trouble sleeping due to anxiety about the future (you might not feel like getting up in the morning). If this happens often enough over time then it could affect how well you sleep each night which can lead to more frequent headaches during the day as well as other health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes type 2 (this condition occurs when there isn’t enough insulin being produced by cells).
What are the causes of depression?
Depression is a complex disorder with many possible causes. Theories of depression include:
Genetics (some people are more likely to develop depression than others)
Brain chemistry (some people have an underlying tendency to be more sensitive to stress, while others have an easier time managing their emotions)
Life events and stressors that may trigger symptoms of depression, such as losing a job or being in an abusive relationship.
The causes of depression are likely a combination of factors—not just one source alone
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, it's important to seek medical attention.
Depression is a serious condition. It's not just feeling sad or down in the dumps, but it can be debilitating and affect your life significantly. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, it's important to seek medical attention immediately.
Depression isn't just an emotional experience; it's actually an illness with physical symptoms that have been linked to several other health problems. The good news is that there are many different types of treatment for depression—including medication and therapy—and these options may work better than what you've tried before.
Conclusion
Depression is a serious condition that can affect anyone at any age. It's important to understand the symptoms and causes of depression so that you can recognize it when someone close to you is suffering from it. If you think someone may be depressed, take action immediately by getting them help as soon as possible. You never know how long their symptoms will last or if they'll ever get better without treatment; this could lead to serious health issues over time.