Depression- A Miserable Health Condition

In the fast world of today, psychological ad psychiatric disorders have become an endemic part of the society. While people are so busy with their lives, they often tend to ignore mental disorders they suffer from. Besides, psychiatric illnesses are a taboo topic so that is why people usually prefer to suffer silently and it is a very sad fact.

Depression is one of the most prevailing conditions these days. According to WHO, more than 300 million people suffer from depression and those people belong to all age groups. It is a major cause of disability all over the world.

This miserable health condition is usually ignored in our society and people think it doesn’t need any treatment. However,depression is an alarming illness and it asks for immediate treatment. Untreated depression can even lead to suicide. According to reports, 800,000 people commit suicide annually due to depression. Suicides are most common among 19-25 years age group.

Depression needs instant attention. As soon as you discover the symptoms of depression in you or your loved ones, seek help of a certified doctor. There are many ways to treat depression. If you are on initial stage, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) would be enough. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves sessions with a psychologist who helps you overcome your depression using various techniques.

If your depression is moderate to severe, your psychiatrist will prescribe you drugs to cope with it. However, consistency is the key to treat the depression completely. If you will abandon the treatment in middle, depression will come back and with this practice it can also become resistant. In some resistant cases of depression, psychiatrists also take help of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Following are the symptoms which should alert you. However, only one of these doesn’t warrant depression. People suffering from depression usually have most of the following mentioned symptoms.

Low Mood

It is one of the earliest and most common symptoms of depression. People often feel low but this is not synonymous to depression. Low mood caused by depression is constant and lasts for weeks and months, unlike the common low mood which you can face every now and then that lasts for a few hours or days.

Loss of Appetite

Have you not eaten since last night but still not feeling hungry? Loss of appetite is an important symptom of depression that can lead to poor general health condition. However, it should not be for a day or two but longer.

Sleeplessness

If you are unable to sleep at night after a tiring day and it is happening for several days now, it can be a symptom of depression.

Isolation

Were you a very social person before but now you don’t even feel like leaving your room? There can be depression behind it!

Lack of Confidence and Self Esteem

If you have started feeling that you are not good enough and you cannot do the things which you could do before, it can be a symptom of depression.

Disappointment and Hopelessness

Having no good hopes from the future and being disappointed can be faced in depression as well.

Feeling Tired All the Time

Feeling tired all the time while all you do is rest? Contact your doctor. It can be depression. Even if it is not, this can signify some other disease.

Weight Changes

There can be significant weight changes over a short period of time. These changes can be weight gain or weight loss.

Body Aches

You can experience frequent aches in body. These can be headaches, muscle aches, or stomach aches.

Increased Use of Alcohol and Sedatives

Depressed people start relying on alcohol and sedatives to get rid of their depressive thoughts. This can further spoil their general health condition.

Decreased Libido

Depression affects your libido as well and can lead to impotence in men. There is decreased frequency of intercourse among depressed people.

Suicidal Thoughts

It is the most alarming symptom of depression and shows that you are suffering from severe disease. This symptom should never be ignored as there is high rate of suicide among depressed people. So as soon you notice this symptom in you or in some person around you, contact a psychiatrist without wasting time.

Anton Lawrence
Latest posts by Anton Lawrence (see all)
Depression- A Miserable Health Condition