Depression Overview

A state of low mood and negative thoughts that threaten to affect one’s behavior and course of action can be referred to as depression. Depression not only affects the physical well being of a person but pushes them to the brink of social collapse. Depression can affect anyone, though its incidence is found to be greater in the youth. This is because of the various social and emotional pressures in their life. People across the world suffer from depression, especially in the age group of 20 to 45 years.

Depression has adverse health consequences as it leads to chronic pain, fatigue and panic attacks. It has been found that people suffering from depression are more prone to osteoporosis. Depression leads to an increase in the amount of cortisol in the blood. As a result, it gets difficult for the bones to absorb calcium, which further leads to osteoporosis.

Depression is a serious health problem and sometimes people suffering from this syndrome might be tempted to commit suicide. Depression has some outer physical manifestations and a person suffering from depression is under the burden of a pervasive feeling of sadness. Their appetite tends to increase and decrease.

Depression has various causes. It may be inherent in the family. Low self esteem and a pessimistic approach to life can also lead to depression. Health problems such as heart attack, cancer and hormonal disorders also lead to depression.

The following are the most common symptoms of depression: a depressed mood, decreased interest in daily activities, significant weight gain or loss, sleep disorders, feeling of worthlessness and fatigue, decreased ability to concentrate, and suicidal thoughts.

It is tough to prevent the initial bout of depression, but with medicines and expert advise, depression can be cured. Avoid excessive alcohol and drugs abuse, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Having a positive approach towards life is the key to avoid depression.

Doctors usually recommend certain lab tests to clarify that the signs of depression do not relate to conditions such as thyroid disorders. Blood tests are also recommended to check for depression symptoms. Physical examination and questions related to depression symptoms are the other major diagnostic methods that help in analyzing depression.

A range of antidepressant medications are available in the market. However, they do not offer a long term solution and withdrawal may get difficult in most cases. Alternative treatments are highly recommended for a long term solution of depression. Herbal and vitamin supplements, acupuncture and meditation techniques offer imminent solutions. Yoga, deep breathing and muscle relaxation are of great use in offering a viable solution.

Lifestyle changes also help greatly in fighting depression and one should exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and sleep well to get rid of depression. Treatment for depression varies according to the severity of the problem and it may take up to 6 months for a person to recover completely from depression. While alternative therapies do not have any side effect in curing depression, medicines do have side effects. A person suffering from depression requires support of their family and friends.